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Category: Energy

  • MIL-OSI: Fortinet Expands Hybrid Mesh Firewall Portfolio with FortiGate 700G

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced the FortiGate 700G series, a next-generation firewall (NGFW) purpose-built for the modern campus. Powered by Fortinet’s proprietary Network Processor 7 (NP7), Security Processor 5 (SP5) ASIC, and FortiOS, Fortinet’s unified operating system, the FortiGate 700G series delivers up to 7x higher firewall throughput, 4x better threat protection, and 7x lower power consumption than competitor offerings. With support for advanced networking, FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services, and new FortiOS enhancements, including post-quantum cryptography readiness, FortiAI-Protect for AI-driven threat detection, and generative AI (GenAI) risk assessment, the FortiGate 700G helps organizations reduce risk, optimize performance, and future-proof hybrid IT environments.

    “With the FortiGate 700G series, we’re delivering more than just industry-leading performance that customers have come to expect from Fortinet—we’re equipping organizations with advanced capabilities to stay ahead of current and emerging cyberthreats,” said Nirav Shah, Senior Vice President, Products and Solutions, at Fortinet. “From AI-powered threat detection and GenAI risk mitigation with FortiAI-Protect to post-quantum cryptography readiness built into FortiOS, this new next-generation firewall series helps our customers consolidate infrastructure, reduce cyber risk, and confidently build for the future.”

    FortiGate 700G: Industry-leading Performance with AI-Powered Security
    Today’s enterprises are under pressure to scale operations, secure expanding attack surfaces, and manage increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats while reducing costs and maintaining efficiency. The FortiGate 700G series is engineered to meet these demands, offering:

    • Unmatched performance and security: Delivering 7x higher firewall throughput (164 Gbps) and 4x better threat protection (26 Gbps) than the industry average, the FortiGate 700G series ensures businesses maintain high-speed, secure operations.
    • Energy resilience through ultra-efficient design: The FortiGate 700G series enables continuous security even in energy-constrained or sustainability-focused environments. Consuming 7x fewer watts per Gbps than the industry average, the FortiGate 700G series sets the standard for energy efficiency and significantly reduces operational costs.
    • Enhanced threat detection and response with AI-powered security: As attackers increasingly weaponize AI and automate cyberattacks, FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services, enhanced by FortiAI-Protect, enables organizations to detect and block emerging, unknown, and increasingly sophisticated threats. FortiAI-Protect also delivers contextual risk assessments and enforces access controls for third-party GenAI applications, providing visibility into shadow AI usage across business groups and helping improve the overall data security posture of organizations.
    • Post-quantum cryptography readiness: New FortiOS capabilities help protect sensitive data against quantum-era threats by enabling quantum-resistant encryption, algorithm stacking for enhanced protection, and a seamless transition to post-quantum security, ideal for organizations in finance, healthcare, government, and other sectors handling long-term sensitive information.
    • Support for a wide range of network interfaces, ranging from 5GE to 25GE: Ensuring the flexibility to connect various devices and topologies, the FortiGate 700G series enables organizations to seamlessly adapt to developing technologies and accommodate future upgrades without costly overhauls.
    • Deeper protections for critical system files: FortiSentry is a unique out-of-band hardware module that provides continuous, non-intrusive file-system monitoring, adding another layer of protection to detect and prevent unauthorized access to critical system files.
    Specification FortiGate
    700G
    series    		 Security
    Compute
    Rating    		 Industry
    Average    		 Palo Alto
    Networks
    PA-3410
    series    		 Check
    Point
    6700    		 Cisco
    Secure
    Firewall
    3110
    Firewall Throughput 164 Gbps 7x 23.3 Gbps 14.0 Gbps 38.0 Gbps 18.0 Gbps
    IPsec VPN Throughput 55 Gbps 7x 7.7 Gbps 6.6 Gbps 4.6 Gbps 12.0 Gbps
    Threat Protection 26 Gbps 4x 6.7 Gbps 7.5 Gbps 5.8 Gbps –
    Concurrent Sessions 16M 3x 6.5M 1.4M 16M 2M
    Connections/Second 700K 3x 231K 145K 250K 300K
    Power Consumption FortiGate
    700G
    series    		 Energy
    Efficiency    		 Industry
    Average    		 Palo Alto
    Networks
    PA-3410
    series    		 Check
    Point
    Quantum
    9200
    series    		 Cisco
    Secure
    Firewall
    3100 series
    Watts/Gbps Firewall Throughput 1.8 W 7x 12.7 W 12.1 W 3.7 W 22.2 W
    Watts/Gbps IPsec VPN Throughput 5.4 W 6x 29.9 W 25.8 W 30.6 W 33.3 W
    • Threat Protection performance is measured with Firewall, IPS, Application Control and Malware Protection, and Logging enabled.
    • The numbers for competitive solutions are based on publicly available sources. Other vendors may have different testing methodologies.
    • All power consumption values are taken from external data sheets and hardware system guides using maximum power consumption.

    Fortinet Security Fabric: Powering a Unified and Scalable Cybersecurity Platform

    At the core of Fortinet’s approach is the belief that effective cybersecurity starts with the convergence of networking and security. The Fortinet Security Fabric, an integrated platform built on a common operating system and purpose-built technologies like the FortiGate 700G series, delivers consistent protection across hybrid environments. It empowers organizations with centralized management, automated threat intelligence, and real-time visibility. With seamless integration across Fortinet and third-party solutions, the Fortinet Security Fabric helps customers confidently scale from foundational network protection to advanced capabilities like SASE and AI-driven security operations. Fortinet continues to innovate and enable businesses to simplify complexity, reduce risk, and evolve their cybersecurity strategy with a platform approach that grows with them.

    Additional Resources

    About Fortinet
    Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere our customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including Computer Emergency Response Teams (“CERTS”), government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

    Copyright © 2025 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAgent, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiCNP, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCSPM, FortiCWP, FortiDAST, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiDLP, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFlex FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiGuest, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPAM, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPoint, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiScanner, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSRA, FortiStack, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM, FortiXDR and Lacework FortiCNAPP. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft volunteers improved more than 50 monuments to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War on the eve of the Victory Day anniversary

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In anticipation of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, volunteers from Rosneft enterprises renovated and improved more than 50 monuments, memorials, obelisks, commemorative signs, and burial sites of heroes of the Great Patriotic War in different parts of Russia.

    In the regions where the Company operates, employees take an active part in commemorative events dedicated to the anniversary of the Great Victory.

    Volunteers from the Central Office and Moscow enterprises of Rosneft have landscaped the area around the monument to the workers of the Moscow Oil Depot who died on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. In 1941-1945, the oil depot, located on Sormovskaya Street in Moscow, played a key role in supplying the capital with fuel, ensuring uninterrupted supplies of fuel for military equipment. The Company’s employees installed new stone vases near the monument and planted flower beds. The wall of the oil depot was decorated with a mural dedicated to the contribution of oil workers to the Victory.

    Environmentalists and activists of the Novokuibyshevsky and Kuibyshevsky Oil Refineries, the Novokuibyshevsk Petrochemical Company and the Novokuibyshevsky Oil and Additives Plant, together with volunteers from the EcoRavnovesie movement, improved the park in the village of Kryazh in the Samara urban district. There is a monument to soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. Volunteers collected and removed household waste from the area, laid out flower beds and planted a rowan alley.

    Employees of the Kuibyshev Oil Refinery have improved more than a dozen burial sites of veterans of the Great Patriotic War in the Kuibyshev District of Samara. The oil workers cleaned the graves of the front-line soldiers after the winter and painted the fences.

    Volunteers of the Novokuibyshevsk Oil Refinery improved the Victory Alley and the area adjacent to the monument to home front workers. The memorial was erected in Novokuibyshevsk in 2022 on the initiative and with the support of the enterprise. In addition, the plant workers restored four burial sites of fellow countrymen – participants in the Great Patriotic War, installed new monuments, and improved the adjacent territories.

    Samaraneftegaz employees tidied up the monument to fallen heroes of the Great Patriotic War in the village of Mirny in the Samara Region. Volunteers cleaned up, painted the fences, and planted bushes and trees.

    In the Republic of Bashkortostan, in the city of labor valor Ishimbay, Bashneft volunteers together with activists of the Movement of the First improved the territory of the memorial to the Ishimbay oil workers who died in battles for the Motherland. The participants of the action collected and removed more than a ton of dead wood and household waste, painted the curbs and tree trunks.

    For several years, RN-Krasnodarneftegaz employees have been looking after the monument to the residents of the 2nd Zapadny farmstead in the Krymsky District of Krasnodar Krai. The fascist occupiers destroyed the farmstead along with all its residents in May 1943. Their memory is carefully preserved by Rosneft volunteers, who have taken patronage over the monument.

    In addition, RN-Krasnodarneftegaz volunteers tidied up the territory of the Monument to the Separate 16th Rifle Brigade in the village of Sputnik in the Seversky District of the Krasnodar Territory, the Memorial to those killed in the battles for the liberation of the village of Saratovskaya, the cultural heritage site “Mass grave of 52 Soviet soldiers killed in battles with the fascist invaders in 1943” in the Khankov farm in the Slavyansky District, the Victory Obelisk and the Worship Cross at the site of the death of Soviet citizens.

    According to a long-standing tradition, employees of the Tuapse Oil Refinery improved the monument to oil refiners who died during the Great Patriotic War and cleaned up the territory of Victory Park in Tuapse.

    Volunteers of the Ryazan NPK improved three memorial sites: a memorial in the village of Nikulichi in honor of the villagers who fought in the Great Patriotic War, a street named after the Hero of the Soviet Union and National Hero of Italy, a native of the Ryazan region, Fyodor Poletaev, and a monument to the pilots who died in an unequal battle with the enemy at the end of 1941.

    Udmurtneft employees together with activists of the Movement of the First improved the monument to those killed in the Great Patriotic War in the village of Svetloye in the Votkinsk district of Udmurtia. The company’s volunteers also participated in the arrangement of memorials in six settlements in the Sarapul, Sharkansky and Igrinsky districts of the republic.

    A large-scale volunteer initiative to improve war memorials was carried out by RN-Service employees. They tidied up the monuments to soldiers who died in Moscow hospitals and to fallen soldiers of the Kremlin Regiment. In Ufa, volunteers looked after individual burials in city and rural cemeteries. In Krasnoyarsk, oil workers improved the monument to “Soldiers-athletes of the Krasnoyarsk Territory – participants in the Great Patriotic War”. In Nefteyugansk, the monument to “Loyal Sons of the Fatherland” was renovated. In Buzuluk, work was carried out at the memorial to “Mass grave of soldiers of the Czechoslovak People’s Army” and at the burial sites of veterans. In the village of Kolva in the Komi Republic, the “Memorial sign to soldiers of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945” was improved. In the village of Sernovodsk in the Samara Region, the monument to “Defenders of all generations” was tidied up. In all regions, the patriotic event ended with the ceremonial laying of wreaths and a minute of silence.

    Volunteers from Voronezhnefteprodukt organized the cleanup of the military burial ground in the village of Chertovitsy, Ramonsky District, Voronezh Region. 383 soldiers who died of wounds in hospitals in 1942-1943 are buried here.

    Workers of Kaluga Oil Products cleared and landscaped the area around the memorial sign to pilots near the village of Kosmachi in the Babyninsky District of the Kaluga Region. The sign was installed 10 years ago at the site of the heroic death of the Pe-2 aircraft crew in 1941.

    Employees of RN-North-West take care of the memorial to the sailors of the warship TShch-100 who died there, guarding the “Road of Life” during the siege of Leningrad. The memorial is located in the village of Vladimirovka in the Priozersky District of the Leningrad Region.

    For several years now, Orelnefteprodukt employees have been patronizing a mass grave in the village of Gnilets, Trosnyansky District, Oryol Region. Here are buried 427 soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 605th Infantry Regiment, 132nd Infantry Division, who died in the fiercest battles on the Northern Face of the Kursk Bulge on July 7, 1943. This year, in honor of the Victory anniversary, volunteers have decorated a flower bed in the form of a St. George ribbon on the territory of the Vyazhi military-historical complex in the Novosilsky District, Oryol Region, where the offensive operation to liberate Oryol began in July 1943.

    Rosneft supports projects and initiatives aimed at preserving the historical memory of the immortal feat of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft May 7, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Well completions per location more than double in Lower 48 states as technology advances

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    May 7, 2025

    Data source: FracFocus
    Note: To calculate the number of wells completed per location, we grouped wells within a 50-foot radius into single locations. We then identified wells completed by their completion start and end dates, counting concurrent completions when their completion periods overlapped.

    We estimate that the average number of wells completed simultaneously at the same location in the Lower 48 states has more than doubled, increasing from 1.5 wells in December 2014 to more than 3.0 wells in June 2024. By completing multiple wells at once rather than sequentially, operators can accelerate their production timeline and reduce their cost per well. The increasing number of simultaneous completions reflects significant technological advances in hydraulic fracturing operations, particularly in equipment capabilities and operational strategies.

    Using data from FracFocus to estimate simultaneous completions, we defined wells that were drilled within a 50-foot radius to be at a single location. FracFocus reports the well completion date for each of these wells, and we calculated the average number of completions per month. By grouping the wells together by location, we derived the number of wells completed on the same day at the same location across the Lower 48 states.

    Simultaneous completions allow operators to reduce the time from post-drilling to production, lower overall completion costs per well, and increase operational efficiency through shared resources and equipment. Although the number of active locations has decreased since 2014, the number of wells has increased, likely because of simultaneous completions. Our analysis of FracFocus data suggests that simultaneous completions have increased since 2017, with operators now routinely completing multiple wells at a time on a single location. Although operators recognized the potential benefits of completing multiple wells at once prior to 2017, the practice initially faced technical barriers, such as the need for more hydraulic horsepower at the location to fracture multiple wells simultaneously.

    Data source: FracFocus
    Note: We define locations as clusters of wells within a 50-foot radius. A single location may contain one or multiple wells.

    The adoption of electric frac fleets, which provide better power management, has played a crucial role in the increase in simultaneous completions. Traditional operations relied entirely on diesel-powered pumps requiring constant fuel delivery by truck, but modern electric fleets use generators that can utilize field gas or compressed natural gas and electricity from the grid, if available.

    The transition from diesel-powered to electric frac fleets has streamlined operations by reducing costs and minimizing transportation logistics by utilizing locally available fuel sources. Additionally, improvements in equipment monitoring, optimization, and automation have helped operators manage the complexity of simultaneous completions.

    The trend toward more simultaneously completed wells continues to evolve as operators refine their simultaneous completion strategies. Although not all operators choose to perform simultaneous completions, the technology enabling these operations has become increasingly common across major shale basins. The penetration of electric frac fleets, advanced control systems, and improved process deployment suggests that simultaneous completions could continue to increase further.

    Principal contributors: Faouzi Aloulou, Merek Roman, Jozef Lieskovsky

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Consultation launched into incinerator permit draft decision

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Consultation launched into incinerator permit draft decision

    The Environment Agency has launched a consultation into its ‘minded to’ decision to issue a permit to a Teesside incinerator.

    Viridor Tees Valley Ltd applied for an environmental permit to operate an Energy Recovery Facility incinerating non-hazardous waste at Grangetown in Redcar.

    After reviewing 27 comments and evidence from the original consultation last year the Environment Agency is ‘minded to’ issue the environmental permit.

    This means after exploring the issues and concerns that have been raised, it can’t find any reason to refuse the application, but is yet to make a final decision.

    A draft permit document and draft decision document can be found here.

    The consultation into the ‘minded to’ decision documents will close at the end of Tuesday 3 June.

    Documents have been ‘carefully considered’

    Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

    We have carefully considered all the documents provided to us by Viridor, as well as the consultation comments, and currently can’t find any reason to refuse the permit application.  

    We’re keen to hear people’s views on this draft decision and encourage those interested to view the decision documents and send us their comments.

    We will make our final decision once we have reviewed the responses to this consultation.

    The original consultation into this application took place between 2 September and 14 October 2024.

    The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm human health.

    If all the requirements are met, it is legally obliged to issue a permit. 

    The draft decision document explains the Environment Agency’s decision-making and outlines how it has considered the comments from the original consultation. The draft permit outlines the conditions would need to meet if the permit is granted.

    The Environment Agency would only issue the permit if it is satisfied the operator could comply with the permit conditions and has appropriate systems in place to operate the incinerator without causing harm to the environment, human health or wildlife.

    People can respond to the consultation directly on the website or alternatively by email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk

    Background

    Environmental permits 

    • Environmental permits set out strict legal conditions by which an operator must comply in order to protect people and the environment. Should an environmental permit be issued, the Environment Agency has responsibility for enforcing its conditions.
    • The Environment Agency’s powers include enforcement notices, suspension and revocation of permits, fines and ultimately criminal sanctions, including prosecution.
    • The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have a significant impact on the environment or harm human health. If all the requirements are met, we are legally required to issue a permit.

    Consultation responses  

    • Responses to the consultation can be made electronically.
    • People can respond directly on the website or alternatively by email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk
    • Those unable to view the documents or make representation via the consultation website or by email should contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Hecate Grid Announces Rebrand to Fullmark Energy, Marking New Era of Energy Storage Leadership

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hecate Grid, a leading independent power producer (IPP) focused exclusively on energy storage, today announced it has rebranded to Fullmark Energy. The rebranding coincides with the completion of several key milestones, including the company’s expanding portfolio of energy storage projects in California, collectively known as the Redwood Projects.

    This strategic rebrand reflects the company’s evolution from an organization focused primarily on project development to a fully integrated energy storage company that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across the United States.

    “The transition to Fullmark Energy represents a significant milestone in our company’s journey,” said Chris McKissack, Chief Executive Officer of Fullmark Energy. “While our name is changing, our commitment remains the same: unlocking energy storage’s potential to enhance grid reliability and benefit the communities we serve. This rebrand is not simply a name change—it’s a reflection of our growth and the increasing MARK we plan to make in Americas’ burgeoning energy markets.”

    Founded in 2018 and backed by InfraRed Capital Partners, an infrastructure asset manager with $13 billion equity under management, Fullmark Energy has established itself as an industry pioneer in the rapidly evolving energy storage sector. The company currently manages 300 MWh of operating and in-construction projects, with a robust 4 GW development pipeline strategically positioned across multiple U.S. markets.

    “As Fullmark Energy, we’re building on our track record of success while focusing on what sets us apart—our operational excellence and commitment to safety and reliability,” added McKissack. “The energy storage industry faces complex challenges, from supply chain uncertainties to the operational requirements necessary to keep the lights on. Our hands-on approach of developing, owning, and operating projects allows us to overcome these challenges while delivering long-term value to our partners, communities, and investors.”

    The Fullmark Energy rebrand coincides with significant progress on the company’s Redwood Projects, a portfolio of energy storage facilities in Southern California that exemplifies the company’s strategic approach to risk management. These include:

    • Johanna Project: A fully operational 20MW/80MWh facility in Santa Ana, CA
    • Carris + Desert Project: A 20MW facility in Palm Springs, CA currently in commissioning
    • Ortega Project: A 20MW facility in Lake Elsinore, CA in the final stages of construction
    • San Jacinto Project: A 65MW facility in Banning, CA nearing completion

    The Redwood Projects showcase Fullmark Energy’s portfolio approach to project development, reducing single points of failure through geographic distribution while strengthening revenue profiles through diversified offtake agreements.

    Looking ahead, Fullmark Energy will continue to expand its operations, with planned growth in Texas and other strategic markets. The company remains committed to its partnerships with cooperatives and public power companies, offering customized energy storage solutions that address their unique needs.

    About Fullmark Energy:
    Fullmark Energy is unlocking the potential of energy storage to accelerate renewables, enhance grid reliability, and benefit communities, financial investors, stakeholders, and partners. Founded in 2018, Fullmark Energy develops, builds, owns, and operates energy storage projects across the U.S. The company’s holistic asset development and ownership model prioritizes mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with partners and stakeholders to move projects from concept to operations. Fullmark Energy is securely backed by a fund managed by InfraRed Capital Partners, an infrastructure asset manager with $13 billion equity under management. With a four-gigawatt pipeline and a mix of projects operating and under construction, we are making the promise of energy storage a reality. Learn more about Fullmark Energy’s unique approach to energy storage at www.fullmarkenergy.com.

    Media Contact:
    Nic Savo
    fullmarkenergy@teamsilverline.com
    203.456.0843

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enphase Energy Launches IQ Balcony Solar System in Germany

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, today announced the launch of the Enphase® IQ® Balcony Solar System in Germany. Designed for plug-and-play installation, the new system empowers apartment dwellers and homeowners with limited roof space to generate their own clean energy from balconies, patios, and small outdoor areas. It’s also a simple and affordable solution for fully off-grid use cases, offering reliable daytime power for alpine cabins, camping sites, mobile home setups, and more. The IQ Balcony Solar System includes Enphase IQ8HC™ Microinverters, IQ® Balcony Gateway, and other components.  

    Balcony solar systems – or “plug-in solar” systems – are rapidly expanding access to clean energy for residents without traditional rooftop space. According to SolarPower Europe, Germany registered 435,000 new balcony systems in 2024, compared to 276,000 in 2023. There are now 780,000 total balcony solar installations across the country, driven by significant regional subsidies. The Enphase IQ Balcony Solar System will help more people participate in the energy transition, supporting greater energy independence across Europe.

    The IQ Balcony Solar System offers the following key features:

    • Do-it-yourself installation: The system has an easy setup with plug-and-play connectors for self-installation and commissioning through the Enphase® App.
    • Off-grid operation: The system’s IQ Microinverters switch seamlessly between grid-tied and off-grid modes, so connected devices can stay powered during daytime grid outages, or function entirely off-grid when the sun is shining in rural or remote areas where grid power isn’t available.
    • Scalable solution: Homeowners can start with a small system and expand over time using an Enphase expansion kit as energy needs grow. Additional energy from the expansion kit can be harvested using the auxiliary socket.
    • Integrated connectivity: The system offers a simplified setup using Wi-Fi or cellular data, supported by a 5-year data plan for seamless monitoring and updates.
    • Highly reliable: The IQ8HC Microinverters come with an IP67 rating, while the IQ Balcony Gateway has an IP65 rating and a 5-year warranty.

    “Germany’s energy landscape is changing, and products like the Enphase IQ Balcony Solar System are making the shift easier and more accessible,” said Kevin Malek, CEO of solago, a bundler of solar energy products in Germany. “This system empowers people to generate their own clean energy – even without a traditional roof – while enjoying the safety, reliability, and simplicity that Enphase is known for.”

    The standard Enphase IQ Balcony Solar Kit includes two IQ8HC Microinverters, one IQ Balcony Gateway, IQ® Cables, and one AC Power Cable. Retailers can bundle it with solar panels and racking before it is sold. The scalable system can accommodate up to seven IQ8HC Microinverters and panels, enabling the system to evolve with energy needs. System owners can easily install the system on their own and commission it using the Enphase App, which also allows users to monitor and view their energy production.

    “The installation process was incredibly fast, and the setup was seamless,” said Doris Filipović, a customer in Germany using the Enphase IQ Balcony Solar System. “What I love most is being able to track the performance of each panel in real time through the Enphase App. It’s a great feeling to know exactly how much clean energy I’m producing every day – right from my balcony.”

    “Thanks to our easy-to-install IQ Balcony Solar System, more people in Germany can now increase their energy independence and participate in the clean energy transition,” said Sabbas Daniel, senior vice president of sales at Enphase Energy. “We’re excited to support improved solar accessibility in Europe, and we look forward to launching into other regions in the future.”

    The Enphase IQ Balcony Solar System is available for purchase today on the Enphase website or with select partners. Solar panels, shelves, and mounting hardware are not included in this kit and must be purchased separately. To learn more about Enphase’s IQ Balcony Solar System, visit the websites for homeowners and installers.

    About Enphase Energy, Inc.

    Enphase Energy, a global energy technology company based in Fremont, CA, is the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems that enable people to harness the sun to make, use, save, and sell their own power – and control it all with a smart mobile app. The company revolutionized the solar industry with its microinverter-based technology and builds all-in-one solar, battery, and software solutions. Enphase has shipped approximately 81.5 million microinverters, and approximately 4.8 million Enphase-based systems have been deployed in over 160 countries. For more information, visit https://enphase.com/.

    ©2025 Enphase Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. Enphase Energy, Enphase, the “e” logo, IQ, IQ8, and certain other marks listed at https://enphase.com/trademark-usage-guidelines are trademarks or service marks of Enphase Energy, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Other names are for informational purposes and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected capabilities and performance of Enphase Energy’s technology and products, including safety, quality, and reliability; the ability of more people to participate in the energy transition; Enphase Energy’s ability to support greater energy independence across Europe; and statements regarding the timing and availability Enphase Energy’s products in Germany. These forward-looking statements are based on Enphase Energy’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties including those risks described in more detail in Enphase Energy’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other documents filed by Enphase Energy from time to time with the SEC. Enphase Energy undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.

    Contact:

    Enphase Energy

    press@enphaseenergy.com

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lofgren, Matsui, Merkley Reintroduce Legislation to Give Individuals an Opportunity to Invest in Building America’s Clean-Energy Future

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

    Modeled after WWII victory bonds, Clean Energy Victory Bonds would spur investment in clean-energy projects, create jobs, & help U.S. fight the climate crisis

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Doris Matsui (CA-07) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced the Clean Energy Victory Bond Act, bicameral legislation to give individuals the opportunity to buy Clean Energy Victory Bonds and help build America’s clean-energy future. Modeled after the highly successful victory bonds sold during World Wars I and II, which raised billions of dollars to finance the costs of war, Clean Energy Victory Bonds would help the country create jobs and save taxpayers money while investing in clean-energy infrastructure and fighting the climate crisis, protecting future generations.

    The bill would direct the U.S. Secretaries of Treasury, Energy, and Defense to develop and issue $50 billion in Clean Energy Victory Bonds that support energy efficiency, solar, wind, geothermal, and electric vehicle efforts. For as little as $50, all Americans would be able to voluntarily purchase these Treasury bonds to invest in clean energy.

    The sale of the $50 billion worth of bonds annually could be leveraged to inject $150 billion into clean-energy innovation and create more than one million jobs.

    “As climate-related emergencies become more and more common, I often hear from people who want to do their part in the fight against climate change, but don’t know how. The Clean Energy Victory Bond Act provides Americans with an opportunity to invest, within their means, in innovative technologies that will yield profits both for themselves and the world,” said Congresswoman Lofgren, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. “This is my seventh time reintroducing this bill. I feel strongly that, as momentum continues to build in California and around the country to be good stewards of our environment, we must employ proven economic growth-based tactics to tackle climate change. We all benefit when we invest in the future.”

    “Now, more than ever, we need collective action to fight climate change and support smart climate solutions,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This legislation gives everyday Americans the opportunity to invest in the clean energy transition and help grow the American economy. This investment will flow back into our communities, creating good-paying jobs, lowering energy costs, and helping to make communities across the country more resilient to climate change, while also providing a strong return on investment and helping American families to safely and reliably grow their savings with government-backed bonds.”

    “Clean energy is America’s future, no matter how hard President Trump and his handpicked Fossil Fuel Cabinet try to sabotage its deployment,” said Senator Merkley. “As the Trump Administration slashes federal funds for renewable energy projects nationwide – including right here in Oregon – I’m fighting to advance solutions that will help end our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels and instead invest in public health and our environment. This bill expands access to affordable clean energy for families across America, delivering bold action to tackle climate chaos and creating jobs in the 21st-century economy.”

    Background

    The Clean Energy Victory Bonds would raise extra funds for investment in clean-energy and energy-efficiency deployment, including by:

    • Providing additional support to existing federal financing programs available to states for energy efficiency upgrades and clean energy deployment;
    • Providing funding for clean energy investments by all federal agencies;
    • Providing funding for electric grid enhancements and connections that enable clean energy deployment;
    • Providing funding to renovate existing inefficient buildings or building new energy efficient buildings;
    • Providing tax incentives and tax credits for clean energy technologies;
    • Providing funding for new innovation research, including ARPA-E, public competitions similar to those designed by the X Prize Foundation, grants provided through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the Department of Energy, or other mechanisms to fund revolutionary clean energy technology;
    • Providing additional funding for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and manufacturing;
    • Providing additional funding to existing federal, State, and local grant programs that finance clean energy projects; and
    • Providing prioritized funding for clean energy projects that are located in and reduce energy rates in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.  

    The Clean Energy Victory Bonds would:

    • be available to the public in denominations as low as $50;
    • accrue interest based on savings achieved through reduced-energy spending by the federal government and interest collected on loans provided from proceeds of the bonds; and
    • be capped at $50 billion each year.
    Click here for full text of the Clean Energy Victory Bond Act.

    In Connecticut, “Green Liberty Bonds” have been issued, and batches have sold out because the demand is so great. 

    Support from Sustainability & Business Groups

    The bill is supported by numerous organizations, includingGreen America, Communitas Financial Planning PBC, Transformative Wealth Management, Natural Investments, American Sustainable Business Council, Impact Investors, School Sisters of Notre Dame Collective Investment Fund, Figure 8 Investment Strategies, Greenvest/Vanderbilt Financial Group, Change the Chamber, Harkins Wealth Management, SharePower Responsible Investing, Your Best Path, LLC, and Chicory Wealth.

    “Americans from around the country support clean energy that will create jobs while addressing the climate crisis. In World War II, Victory Bonds offered Americans a way to support the war effort. Now, Clean Energy Victory Bonds will offer all Americans a safe investment, open to anyone, to support the rapid adoption of the solar, wind, and battery storage technologies that will benefit communities, workers, and the planet,” said Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director For Consumer and Corporate Engagement, Green America.

    “Clean Energy Victory Bonds will provide a much-needed economic boost to our businesses and economy. This bill provides a reliable and highly-accessible financing mechanism that allows all Americans to provide the needed dollars for building a vibrant economy.” In an environment of reduced Federal Government spending this enables everyone to invest and work hand in hand with the private sector,” said David Levine, Co-founder and President, American Sustainable Business Council.

    “Taking a step forward to adjust our energy industry to meet the needs of the changing country, the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act uses historical precedence to advance the U.S. toward a cleaner, brighter future for youth like us. While the transition to a clean energy economy may seem ambitious at times, this Act will allow everyday Americans to create an economy that works for all of us. It provides Americans the opportunity to help incentivize cleaner infrastructure and energy, paving the way for future steps to better our nation’s energy and climate,” said Evey Mengelkoch, Erika Pietrzak, and Sarah Hill, Climate Fellows of Change the Chamber

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business – Sustainability start-ups Krosslinker and Ayrton Energy secure S$1 million each in catalytic funding at The Liveability Challenge 2025 Grand Finale

    Source: Eco-Business

    The 2025 Grand Finale witnessed another record-breaking year, attracting more than 1,200 submissions from over 100 countries competing for the top prize in two tracks: Decarbonisation and Cool Earth.

    Passive cooling using advanced aerogel technology and safe, cost-effective storage and transport to accelerate adoption of hydrogen as a clean fuel were the top winners at the Grand Finale.
    The Liveability Challenge, was presented by Temasek Foundation and organised by Eco-Business. 

    Singapore, 7 May 2025: Krosslinker and Ayrton Energy have emerged as the top winners at The Liveability Challenge (TLC) 2025 Grand Finale for their innovative solutions to drive decarbonisation and tackle climate challenges.

    The two groundbreaking projects were the standouts among eight finalists, each securing a S$1 million grant in catalytic funding to help advance and scale their solutions sustainably.

    The winner of the Cool Earth track was Singapore-based deep-tech start-up Krosslinker, which develops passive cooling technologies in the form of aerogel materials capable of reducing surface temperatures by up to 10 degrees Celsius and ambient temperatures by up to 5 degrees Celsius.

    The winner of the Decarbonisation track was Canada-based Ayrton Energy, which develops technology for safe and cost-effective hydrogen storage and transport, and addresses infrastructure challenges that currently hinder the widespread adoption of hydrogen energy.

    The two winners were selected after a competitive and rigorous judging session, where all eight finalists pitched their innovative solutions live to a judging panel at the Grand Finale, held at ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay as part of Ecosperity Week.

    These pioneering climate solutions are integral in advancing progress towards the climate targets set under the Paris Agreement in 2015 – an urgent imperative as global temperatures reach dangerously new highs each year.  

    With rising heat, extreme weather events and ecological deterioration afflicting society and natural ecosystems, solutions must be mobilised to address these climate impacts while contributing to the global targets of reducing emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.

    This will require coordinated efforts across society, enabling regulatory frameworks and strategic investments to enable the large-scale deployment of innovative climate technologies.

    Presented by Temasek Foundation and organised by Eco-Business, TLC was launched in 2018 as a platform to search for the most disruptive and innovative solutions that solve the pressing sustainability challenges of today.

    Today, TLC is Asia’s largest sustainability solutions platform and since its first edition, has attracted thousands of applications globally, shortlisted and incubated 53 finalists, and deployed more than S$12 million in funding to help these startups, who have gone on to raise hundreds of millions more.  

    In its eighth edition, TLC searched for solutions across two tracks: Decarbonisation and Cool Earth. The Decarbonisation track seeks disruptive deep-tech solutions that provide scalable and impactful solutions to reduce carbon emissions across diverse industries. The Cool Earth track seeks groundbreaking innovations that specifically address the challenges posed by climate-induced extreme weather conditions.

    The eight shortlisted finalist teams – Ayrton Energy, CatAmmon, Cetogenix, CO2Tech, D-CRBN, Eztia Corp, Krosslinker and SXD, Inc – represent various countries including Singapore, Australia, Belgium and the United States.

    TLC’s strategic partners this year are Enterprise Singapore, OCTAVE Well-being Economy Fund, TRIREC and Valuence Ventures. Amazon Web Services was the Tech for Good partner for the event.

    “We are very happy and excited [to have secured this award], but this is just the beginning. We have a very big job to do to make sure that we develop solutions that equitably reach everybody and not just the tech-savvy community. Many thanks to Temasek Foundation for all the inspiring work that you have been doing, and to all our investors who have specially flown in for this event. To all the fellow finalists who keep inspiring us – it’s such amazing work to solve some of the most difficult challenges in this world and committing to a cause rather than building easy solutions,” said Dr Gayathri Natarajan, Co-founder and CEO of Krosslinker Private Limited.  

    “We’re really excited to be able to have this funding support and cement our position in Singapore and Southeast Asia. I’m very grateful to Temasek Foundation for believing in the tech that we’re building, and in our ability to decarbonise these hard-to-abate sectors. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my fantastic team of nerds, as I like to call them back home, as well as the support that we have from our investors both locally and internationally,” said Dr Brandy Kinkead, Chief Technology Officer of Ayrton Energy Inc.

    “At Temasek Foundation, we believe in the urgency of supporting bold and deep-tech innovative solutions that can drive real progress in decarbonising our planet, and keeping our environment cool even with rising temperatures. Our catalytic funding reflects this important commitment – helping innovators move from promising innovations to operational prototypes with potential to scale. Beyond The Liveability Challenge, Temasek Foundation is growing our network of climate tech challenges across the region into China, Indonesia and Vietnam. By doing so, we aim to accelerate innovators’ paths to commercialisation and deliver real impact for both the people and the planet. Our heartiest congratulations to Krosslinker Private Limited and Ayrton Energy Inc on this exciting milestone,” said Heng Li Lang, Head of Climate and Liveability at Temasek Foundation.  

    “TLC has become a fixture in the global sustainability innovation ecosystem, providing a vital catalytic platform for promising start-ups with cutting-edge climate tech solutions from all over the world. By driving innovation, entrepreneurship, ecosystem collaboration and access to finance, it helps groundbreaking ideas move beyond the prototype stage to deliver real-world impact. In a world dangerously close to irreversible planetary thresholds, accelerating these solutions is no longer optional – it is critical,” said Jessica Cheam, Founder and CEO of Eco-Business.

    In addition to the two S$1 million in grants (S$1 million for each winner), a total of S$400,000 in investment and grant opportunities were awarded to the finalists by TLC’s strategic partners [see Appendix A].  

    The Grand Finale also hosted an Innovation Dialogue where speakers Mark Gainsborough, Chairman, Seatrium; Magdalene Loh, Director, Urban Systems and Solutions, Enterprise Singapore; and Dr Dazril Phua, Chief Operating Officer, Nandina REM, identified the solutions needed to advance climate tech solutions and innovation in Singapore and globally – including ecosystem building, policy and financial support and public private partnerships.

    Experts said that clear market signals and policy coherence were key to enabling climate technologies to scale. “Technology risk is (usually) the least of the problem. But is the market going to develop the way as expected and is there a supportive policy framework and regulation? Unfortunately, there are too many cases in the climate tech space where the market hasn’t developed as we expected because of an ever-changing policy and regulation landscape,” Mark Gainsborough, Chairman of Singapore-listed marine engineering company Seatrium, shared during the Innovation Dialogue.  

    Magdalene Loh, Director, Urban Systems and Solutions, Enterprise Singapore, noted that in addition to scaleability and exportability, climate tech solutions must be effectively priced to attract customers, and designed for easy integration into existing systems or processes.

    “Today, many of the climate tech solutions that we’re seeing do need to interact with existing infrastructure – existing systems that clients would already be used to. How would these tech solutions integrate? Many times, you need the buy-in internally within the organisation, not just with the innovation team. There are different facets of the clients to [consider] to secure buy-in as well,” Loh said.  

    For more information, visit The Liveability Challenge website at  www.theliveabilitychallenge.org.  

    About Temasek Foundation 

    Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and beyond. Temasek Foundation’s programmes are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, as well as gifts and contributions from other donors. These programmes strive towards achieving positive outcomes for individuals and communities now and for generations to come. Collectively, Temasek Foundation’s programmes strengthen social resilience, foster international exchange and regional capabilities, advance science and protect the planet. 

    For more information, visit www.temasekfoundation.org.sg 

    About Eco-Business 

    Established in 2009, Eco-Business is Asia Pacific’s leading media organisation on sustainable development. Its independent journalism unit publishes high quality, trusted news and views that advance dialogue and enables measurable impact on a wide range of sustainable development and responsible business issues. Eco-Business is headquartered in Singapore, with a presence in Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and correspondents across major cities in Asia Pacific. Visit www.eco-business.com  

    Appendix A

    Additional investment and grant opportunities:

    Singapore’s Krosslinker Private Limited received S$100,000 from OCTAVE Well-being Economy Fund to develop urban cooling solutions using zero energy aerogel coating.

    Canada’s Ayrton Energy Inc received S$100,000 from TRIREC and S$100,000 from Valuence Ventures to develop safe hydrogen storage and transport which seamlessly integrates with existing liquid fuel infrastructure.

    Australia’s CO2Tech received S$100,000 from Enterprise Singapore to develop a cost effective and compact CO2 capture solution which converts emissions into carbon-negative and valuable products.

    Appendix B

    Comments from our Strategic Partners:

    Emily Liew, Assistant Managing Director, Innovation, Enterprise Singapore, said: “As the world races to address pressing environmental challenges, we need platforms such as The Liveability Challenge more than ever to uncover and support breakthrough climate innovations. Start-ups can leverage Singapore’s robust innovation ecosystem, infrastructure and strategic networks to validate and scale their climate solutions. Enterprise Singapore is committed to working with important partners such as Temasek Foundation to accelerate the development of innovative solutions for a sustainable future.”

    Axel Tan, Venture Partner, OCTAVE Well-being Economy Fund, said: “Climate tech startups are pioneering vital solutions for a more liveable planet, but they face steep challenges in scaling. At the OCTAVE Well-being Economy Fund, we believe in backing these innovators by bridging capital, partnerships and purpose. Together with platforms like The Liveability Challenge, we can direct collective investment toward breakthrough technologies – accelerating the transition to a cleaner, more conscious and regenerative future.”

    Andrew Wong, Director, TRIREC, said: “The Liveability Challenge is crucial as it catalyses breakthrough innovations urgently needed to tackle escalating climate crises. By matching catalytic capital with the most promising solutions in climate change, the Challenge accelerates the commercialisation of transformative technologies, especially in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. This platform not only empowers innovators to scale their impact but also drives collective action toward a net-zero and a climate-resilient future worldwide. TRIREC looks forward to supporting ambitious climate founders.”

    Andrew Hyung, General Partner, Valuence Ventures, said: “At a time when the world’s attention is pulled in many directions and the climate crisis is too often set aside, The Liveability Challenge brings much needed focus. It unites visionaries, doers and believers to shape a future we all deserve. By turning urgency into momentum and bold ideas into real solutions, this platform reminds us that hope backed by action can still change everything.”

    Ashley Tan, International Head of Social Impact & Sustainability at Amazon Web Services (AWS), said: “We’re excited by the powerful sustainability solutions presented by winners Krosslinker Private Limited and Ayrton Energy Inc, and the other finalists. Together with Temasek Foundation and Eco-business, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to making a positive environmental and social impact around the world. We will continue to provide the latest AI-driven technologies and bench of deep technical expertise to power innovative solutions in the cloud and solve the climate crisis’s most pressing decarbonisation and food security challenges of our time.”

    Appendix C

    Finalists for The Liveability Challenge 2025:

    1. Ayrton Energy Inc (Canada)  

    Solution: Safe hydrogen storage and transport that seamlessly integrates with existing liquid fuel infrastructure for scalable deployment that is up to 50 per cent lower cost 

    2. CatAmmon (Israel) 

    Solution: ”Cold” (400ºC) ammonia cracking, catalysed by Ruthenium – free, ceramic nanomaterials that achieves over 30 per cent reductions in cost for hydrogen generation 

     3.  Cetogenix (New Zealand)

    Solution: Transforming urban waste into renewable natural gas, green ammonia and other circular bioeconomy products with carbon intensities 19 times less than those of fossil equivalents 

    4.  CO2Tech (Australia) 

    Solution: Cost effective and compact CO2 capture solution capable of converting emissions into carbon negative and valuable products  

    5. D-CRBN (Belgium) 

    Solution: Plasma-based CO2 recycling with a fossil price parity  

    6. Eztia Corp (US)

    Solution: Cooling wearables that absorb body heat, reducing skin temperature by 10°C  

    7. Krosslinker Private Limited (Singapore)

    Solution: Cooling cities 24/7 with a zero energy aerogel coating: passive, powerful and planet friendly 

    8. SXD, Inc (US) 

    Solution: SXD uses its patent-published AI to co-design and scale zero material waste garments, driving 10 times the material savings, approximately 80 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions and up to 55 per cent in cost savings.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Completes Retrofit of its New York State Nuclear Technology Testing Facility 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Facility operations to commence shortly to construct and test NANO Nuclear’s ALIP subsystem as well as key components of its microreactors in development

    New York, N.Y., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear technology and energy company, today announced the completion of the retrofitting of its multimillion-dollar demonstration and testing facility in Westchester County, New York.

    The facility is now ready to play a central role in supporting the non-nuclear mechanical and thermal test work necessary to develop its microreactors (in particular ZEUSTM) and commercial products, such as its Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP), a critical non-nuclear subsystem for liquid metal and molten salt reactor technologies which NANO Nuclear plans to separately commercialize in the coming years. Testing at the Westchester facility is expected to commence shortly and continue throughout 2025 and into the future. The data generated will contribute to the final design and integration strategy for ALIP in both terrestrial and space reactor applications.

    The facility retrofit was executed in collaboration with aRobotics Company, a New York-based engineering and advanced fabrication firm specializing in robotic systems, component inspection, and high-precision prototyping. The firm led the mechanical build-out of the facility and the fabrication of test hardware and support structures for the development of NANO Nuclear’s products, as well as NANO Nuclear’s ongoing SBIR Phase III commercialization program for ALIP.

    “The Westchester County demonstration facility has been completed on schedule and to specification, and we’re pleased to extend our collaboration on critical ALIP components and our broader reactor portfolio with aRobotics, a fellow New York State headquartered company,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. “This multimillion‑dollar facility will be central to our R&D program, giving us the resources to conduct essential physical testing and confirm that our non‑nuclear systems perform at their highest level.”

    Figure 1 – Image of Redeveloped NANO Nuclear’s Demonstration Facility for Key Components of its Nuclear Microreactor Designs in Westchester County, NY.

    The newly redeveloped testing site includes:

    • A Liquid-Metal and Molten-Salt Test Loop for evaluating fluid dynamics and pump efficiency.
    • A magnetic field mapping system for characterizing ALIP’s electromagnetic properties.
    • A custom-engineered thermal chamber for assessing high-temperature material behavior and component resilience.

    “Completing the redevelopment of this dedicated test facility is a significant milestone in our ALIP roadmap,” said Dr. Carlos O. Maidana, Head of Thermal Hydraulics and Space Program at NANO Nuclear. “The ability to perform real-time, high-fidelity component testing allows us to validate software models and refine system performance before moving to larger-scale assembly.”

    Figure 2 – Image of NANO Nuclear’s Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP) Technology Model (left) and Liquid-Metal and Molten-Salt Test Loop (right).

    The Westchester County demonstration facility will serve as a high-fidelity mechanical testbed for subsystems critical to reactor operation. These tests will inform future licensing, support industrial partnerships, and advance NANO Nuclear’s development, regulatory licensing and commercialization objectives. The facility now houses NANO Nuclear’s Liquid‑Metal and Molten‑Salt Test Loop, along with a magnetic‑field mapping system that will support development and commercialization activities for ALIP. In addition, a purpose‑built heat chamber, designed for evaluating reactor components and subsystems, has been installed at the site.

    “This facility gives us the infrastructure to simulate core pump operations in a safe, non-nuclear setting,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “It’s close proximity to our New York City corporate headquarters enhances operational coordination and will serve as a valuable hub for collaborators and stakeholders to observe the development process firsthand.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR™Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.
    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
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    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements related to, among other items, NANO Nuclear’s use of its new testing facility and its development and other plans in general. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tango Meets Tokamak: Bill Bailey talks fusion energy with UKAEA

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Tango Meets Tokamak: Bill Bailey talks fusion energy with UKAEA

    British musician, comedian and television star Bill Bailey’s interest and passion for fusion energy saw a recent visit to UKAEA’s Culham Campus.

    Bill Bailey visits MAST Upgrade as part of tour at UKAEA’s Culham Campus – Image Credit United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

    The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) welcomed British musician, comedian and television star, Bill Bailey, to its Culham Campus to explore the vital research being undertaken to advance fusion as a sustainable source of energy for future generations.

    The Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball Trophy winner visited UKAEA’s campus in Oxfordshire, after mentioning fusion during his ‘Thoughtifier’ stand-up tour. Spotted in the audience, UKAEA’s Executive Director for Engineering and Computing, Dr Joe Milnes, invited Mr Bailey to see fusion’s research and development in action.

    Mr Bill Bailey, said:

    The central premise of this show (‘Thoughtifier’) is celebrating human endeavour and the constant ingenuity of humans. I talk about it in terms of human evolution, about discovering music, and one of those fields is also fusion. It felt like a natural fit to put fusion into the show and to ask the members of the audience what they feel about it.

    I’ve noticed a change over the past year and half where, every time I mention fusion, there has been a gradual uptick in people’s awareness of it. When I say, ‘We need to find a solution to the world’s energy needs, what about fusion?’, there are cheers from the crowd.

    My visit to UKAEA was fascinating and eye-opening, and amazing to hear about how our understanding of fusion is progressing. Seeing all this being done in the English countryside gave me a huge surge of patriotic pride, and enormous hope for the future.

    Dr Joe Milnes, Executive Director for Engineering and Computing, UKAEA, said:

    I’ve always been a big fan of Bill’s, particularly his sense of humour combined with his obvious fascination with how the world works.

    Spending a few hours with Bill, showing him all the incredible things happening at UKAEA, revealed how excited he is about fusion and other endeavours where humans can demonstrate their incredible problem-solving abilities.

    Fusion promises to be a safe, low carbon and sustainable part of the world’s future energy supply. It has the potential to provide ‘base load’ power, complementing renewable and other low carbon energy sources.

    During his visit, Mr Bailey toured UKAEA’s MAST-Upgrade and the Joint European Torus (JET) facilities and recorded a fireside chat with Dr Joe Milnes.

    Watch the full fireside chat on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/7FS1yO3zs5k

    Bill Bailey in fireside chat with UKAEA’s Dr. Joe Milnes – Image Credit United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft enterprises’ teams hold events in honor of the Great Victory anniversary

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rosneft and its subsidiaries organize and participate in events in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The company holds hundreds of events throughout Russia, which are designed to pass on to the younger generation the historical memory of the immortal feat of our people who liberated the world from fascism. Among the heroes of the front and the home front are many workers in the oil industry.

    Oil workers demonstrated mass heroism in the battles of the Great Patriotic War and labor valor at enterprises in the rear. The Red Army was supplied with fuel and lubricants in the required quantities. During the war, the few remaining specialists, women and teenagers who replaced the men who went to the front, achieved a significant increase in the volume of oil production and refining. New fields were discovered, oil refineries were put into operation. Thanks to the selfless work of oil workers, our country won the “war of motors”, which brought the overall Victory closer.

    The Company’s employees congratulate veterans of the Great Patriotic War and oil industry workers in different regions of the country on Victory Day. Festive concerts are held for them, where the winners of the corporate competition “Energy of Talents” perform. Rosneft volunteers also visit veteran oil workers at home, convey congratulations and memorable gifts from the teams of the enterprises.

    With the support of Rosneft, the Sretensky Monastery Choir is touring 24 cities across the country with the musical program “Dedicated to the Great Victory”. The production is based on real stories about the fates of heroes who walked the miles of war from Moscow to Berlin and the best works of the front-line years.

    More than 100 thousand Rosneft employees in more than 40 regions of Russia are taking part in the all-Russian action “Immortal Regiment” in various formats. On the eve of Victory Day, Rosneft enterprises held “Minutes of Silence” in memory of those killed in the war, as well as “Memory Watch”, during which workers began their work shift with portraits of relatives who had fought in the Great Patriotic War.

    About 1,000 employees of 33 Rosneft subsidiaries took part in a collective reading of the poem “Motherland” by poet Konstantin Simonov. Samotlorneftegaz employees read the famous lines at the monument “To fellow countrymen who died during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945” in the Victory Park of Nizhnevartovsk, unfurling an 80-meter St. George ribbon.

    More than 500 employees of the Samara group of Rosneft enterprises, veterans and employees of Rosneft enterprises, students, volunteers and residents of the Samara region in the city of Novokuibyshevsk next to the memorial complex to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War also unfurled an 80-meter St. George ribbon, honored the memory of the fallen heroes with a minute of silence and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame.

    Rosneft pays special attention to the formation of spiritual and patriotic values in the younger generation. Veteran oil workers together with current employees of the Company held “Lessons of Courage” in schools, universities and colleges, where children were told about how oil industry enterprises worked during the Great Patriotic War. Students, including students of “Rosneft classes” and schoolchildren from the “Movement of the First” were able to personally communicate with witnesses of those events. Also, for schoolchildren of Ufa, Samara, Gubkinsky, Saratov, Nizhnevartovsk, the settlement of Tazovsky in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, they organized screenings of the documentary “War of Motors” about the significant contribution of oil workers to the Great Victory, which was filmed with the support of Rosneft.

    Samotlorneftegaz and Sevkomneftegaz held a patriotic event “Victory Waltz” in Nizhnevartovsk and Gubkinsky, in which representatives of three generations took part: veterans, employees of enterprises and students of “Rosneft-classes”. Volunteers danced a waltz to “Blue Scarf”, which was performed for soldiers on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War by Klavdiya Shulzhenko and other famous artists.

    On the eve of the Great Victory, the Company’s volunteers organized a number of large-scale clean-up days: they repaired, renovated, and tidied up memorials and monuments to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Volunteers from the Kuibyshev Oil Refinery and the Novokuibyshevsk Petrochemical Company tidied up more than 60 graves of front-line soldiers in Samara. Volunteers from Samotlorneftegaz tidied up the territory of the memorial complex “To fellow countrymen who died during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945” in Nizhnevartovsk. Udmurtneft employees helped to improve the monument to those killed during the war in the village of Svetloye, Votkinsk District; with the participation of the enterprise, memorials were also arranged in six other settlements of the Udmurt Republic. Bashneft organized the cleaning of the territory and renovation of elements of the park near the monument to “Ishimbay oil workers who died in battles for the Motherland” in the city of Ishimbay. Schoolchildren of the “Movement of the First” actively participated in all the events.

    The company organized mass car rallies in different regions of Russia, in which more than 1 thousand people took part. Employees of the enterprises RN-Yuganskneftegaz, Tyumenneftegaz, RN-Uvatneftegaz, Kharampurneftegaz, ROSPAN International, RN-Purneftegaz, and the corporate scientific institute in Tyumen held a joint campaign in the Tyumen region, the Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous districts, covering 1,418 km in cars with Victory Banners – this distance corresponds to the number of days that the Great Patriotic War lasted.

    In Krasnoyarsk Krai, a motorcade of RN-Vankor workers drove a thousand kilometers across the tundra with the Victory Banner from the Vankor field to the port of Bukhta Sever on the shore of the Kara Sea. Bashneft organized a 160-kilometer motor rally of 50 cars in the Republic of Bashkortostan between the cities of Labor Valor Ishimbay and Ufa. During the Great Patriotic War, oil from Ishimbay was sent to Ufa for processing at the Ufa Oil Refinery (now Bashneft-UNPZ), the plant’s fuel went to the needs of the front and the rear.

    Volunteers from the Saratov Oil Refinery, RN-Vedomstvennaya Okhrana, and IK SIBINTEK drove a motorcade with jubilee symbols along the streets of Saratov from the oil refinery to the memorial complex to the soldiers-drivers. During the war, columns of cars with food, military equipment, uniforms, and fuel produced at the Saratov Oil Refinery went through Saratov to Stalingrad. During the fierce battles for Stalingrad, the Saratov-Stalingrad highway was called the “road of life” in the besieged hero city. Rosneft-Kuban Oil Products workers drove 150 km in 20 cars as part of the patriotic motor rally “Krasnodar-Novorossiysk”. Employees of the Komsomolsk Oil Refinery organized a motor rally from the Memorial Complex in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where oil refiners laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. The column of more than 50 cars with anniversary symbols and Victory banners was headed by a Ural motorcycle from the 1970s.

    In addition, in various regions, the Company’s employees have created routes for auto tourists to memorial sites dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. Rosneft gas stations broadcast congratulations on the anniversary of the Victory, songs from the war years, and distribute St. George ribbons during the holidays. A number of stations have themed photo zones, field kitchens, and concerts by creative groups with a patriotic repertoire.

    Rosneft traditionally takes part in federal and regional events to green the territories on the eve of Victory Day. As part of the international action “Garden of Memory”, together with activists of the “Movement of the First”, Orenburgneft employees planted more than 10 thousand pine seedlings on 4.5 hectares of the Buzuluk pine forest, damaged by a natural fire, and 1.5 thousand pine trees in the steppe territory of the Kurmanaevsky district of the Orenburg region. “Kurgannefteprodukt” organized the planting of 20 thousand tree seedlings in the form of a geoglyph (an inscription made up of trees) “80 years of Victory”. Also, the geoglyph “80” appeared through the efforts of Bashneft-Dobycha employees in the city of Neftekamsk in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Employees of the corporate institute “VNIKTIneftekhimoborudovanie” took part in the landscaping of the slope of Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd: they prepared the territory of the future alley and planted 80 silver maple seedlings.

    The Company’s employees took part in dozens of sports, intellectual competitions and contests dedicated to the Victory anniversary. Thus, Rosneft held corporate snowboarding competitions dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory. More than 100 oil industry athletes from 35 subsidiaries gathered at the ski center in Baikalsk (Irkutsk Region). And in Tomsk, they organized the “Victory Ski Slope” at a distance of 200 meters – it became a symbol of memory of the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad, which lasted 200 days and became a turning point in the Great Patriotic War.

    Commemorative museum exhibits have been organized at the enterprises, and street photo exhibitions reflecting the selfless labor of oil workers in the rear and the heroism of front-line soldiers have opened in the cities where the Company is present. A photo exhibition titled “Fuel of Victory” has opened in the Muzeon Arts Park in Moscow. In Ufa, Bashneft opened a photo exhibition about the contribution of Bashkir oil workers to the Victory in a park on the Belaya River embankment and laid out a memorial alley of apple and fir trees. In Saratov, an exhibition of patriotic drawings by children of Rosneft employees has been placed on the Cosmonauts Embankment.

    The employees of Verkhnechonskneftegaz initiated and created with their own hands the memorial “Memory Flame” in the shift camp of the Verkhnechonskoye field. On memorable dates for the country it will be lit as a symbol of the undying national memory of those who gave their lives on the battlefields.

    One of the central events of the anniversary year in Buzuluk (Orenburg region) and in Ryazan was the creation of large-scale murals with the support of Orenburgneft and the Ryazan Oil Refining Company, respectively.

    Rosneft contributes to preserving the historical memory of the events of the Great Patriotic War, the immortal feat of veterans who fought on the front lines and forged the Great Victory in the rear. Their unconditional love for the Motherland and patriotism are an unshakable example for current and future generations.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft May 7, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graduate Student Research Symposium Recognizes Academic Excellence and Innovation

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    For the first time at UConn, graduate students across all seven campuses had the opportunity to present their work at a single event: the Graduate Student Research Symposium. 

    Much of UConn’s graduate students’ research addresses real-world issues, allowing this inaugural symposium to not only celebrate academic excellence, but to also spotlight the impact graduate research has on Connecticut and beyond.  

    “Graduate students are having such a large impact on our community and on our state,” said Joy A. Hamer ’25 JD, the chief organizer of the symposium. “It was my mission to unite all seven of UConn’s branch campuses and showcase the hard work of our students.”

    Hamer, who serves as the graduate student trustee on the UConn Board of Trustees, started envisioning the event that ultimately became the poster competition while campaigning for her trustee position. A key part of her campaign was going to all of UConn’s campuses and meeting with graduate students to hear about their experiences and find ways to help them succeed.

    “Ultimately, what I found is most graduate students—irrespective of location or field of study—are conducting research that is very much interdisciplinary. For example, students studying pharmacy in Storrs, law in Hartford, or marine biology in Avery Point may all be focusing their research on environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, as we’re so dispersed across the state, a lot of our research becomes siloed,” said Hamer. 

    Alvaro Daniel Pantoja-Benavides shares his research on agricultural practices (Paula Steele / UConn Photo)

    Hamer’s mission was to highlight not only the work of graduate students but also how their research benefits the places where they live and work, which culminated in the April 23 symposium held at Rome Commons Ballroom at UConn Storrs.

    With scores of posters on display and hundreds in attendance, the symposium showcased the impressive breadth and depth of graduate research at UConn.

    In the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources’ Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, Ph.D. candidate Alvaro Daniel Pantoja-Benavides presented his findings regarding the extent to which the Gray Water Footprint (GWF) – the volume of fresh water required to assimilate pollutants to meet water quality standards – can be used as an indicator to compare the environmental impacts of agricultural practices. His work provides insight into how irrigation and fertilizing strategies can be advanced while maintaining sustainable practices.  

    “This has given me great opportunities to show how research can impact the environment and agriculture,” said Pantoja-Benavides. “If we know how to utilizes strategies to practice agriculture better and teach people more about it, it will benefit so many.”

    Each student who competed in the Symposium Poster Competition had their work categorized into one of six interdisciplinary research categories, with each category recognizing a winner and runner-up, followed by the winners competing in a final round. The overall winner and runner-up in the final round both came from the department of Molecular and Cellular Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

    Ph.D. candidate Caroline Vieira da Silva won overall in the Cognition, Health, and Medicine category and then won the final round for her research titled, “Identification and characterization of the surface layer protein AvsA in outer membrane vesicles, antibiotic resistance, and in vivo host colonization in Aeromonas veronii.” Ph.D. candidate Sarah Pasqualetti came in first in the Economy, Energy, and Environment category, and was the overall runner-up for her work with microplastics.  

    One goal Hamer kept in mind while planning the poster competition was to give graduate students the opportunity to present their research to wider audiences, especially individuals who are not in their respective fields.  

    “Because we’re so dedicated to our research, as graduate students, it becomes easy to communicate exclusively in terms of art and industry jargon. This can make comprehension difficult for someone who isn’t in that discipline,” said Hamer. “So, the point is to be able to articulate and explain your research across sectors.

    Although poster competitions are commonly found in STEM fields, said Hamer, they seem to be translatable across disciplines. “As a law student, I’ve primarily participated in Moot Court, Mock Trial, and Negotiation competitions—all of which are very industry-specific.” Hosting this event as a poster competition offers graduate students of any field the chance to participate in sharing their findings. Additional formats such as pitch competitions and video competitions are in the works for the future iterations of the symposium.

    “It’s been helpful to learn how to communicate my research with different audiences,” said Muireann Nic Corcráin, a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies. “Talking to departments who aren’t in my field and don’t initially understand my work can further show the importance of cultural revival.”

    Keegan Jalbert presents research to a judge at the Graduate Student Research Symposium (Paula Steele / UConn Photo)

    In her research titled, “I Have a Voice: Towards the Development of Synthetic Voices for the Passamaquoddy Language,” Corcráin focused on the language revitalization of the Passamaquoddy language.  

    This Native American language is only spoken by 12% of 3,600 members, according to Corcráin’s research, which motivated her to work towards developing a text-to-speech synthetic voice for the language.  

    Her commitment to language revitalization and developing resources for ancestral languages, like the Passamaquoddy language, led her work to be recognized as the runner-up in the Humanity, Culture, and Arts category of the competition.  

    “It’s nice to be able to research something that has an impact on so many people, and that UConn provides us with these resources to do so,” said Julia Jerolamon, a Ph.D. student in the department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Her research focuses on deactivating a protein that, when found in high levels, has been shown to reduce survivability rates among patients with cancer.

    Hamer, who worked closely with Leslie Shor, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School, on organizing the event, said she was thrilled with the successful debut of what she expects to become a regular event for UConn graduate students.

    “This was our very first year, and I am so proud of our team and our engagement with the students. We’re looking forward to hosting this again in the future,” said Hamer.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Tuesday, 6 May 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2025-05-06

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Tuesday, 6 May 2025 – Strasbourg

     Abbreviations and symbols

    + adopted
    – rejected
    ↓ lapsed
    W withdrawn
    RCV roll-call votes
    EV electronic vote
    SEC secret ballot
    split split vote
    sep separate vote
    am amendment
    CA compromise amendment
    CP corresponding part
    D deleting amendment
    = identical amendments
    § paragraph

    IN THE CHAIR: Martin HOJSÍK
    Vice-President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:02.


    2. Request for an urgent decision (Rule 170)

    The President had received two requests for urgent decisions in accordance with Rule 170(5):

    – REGI Committee – Amending ERDF, Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review ***I (COM(2025)0123 – C10-0063/2025 – 2025/0084(COD))

    – EMPL Committee – European Social Fund (ESF+): specific measures to address strategic challenges ***I (COM(2025)0164 – C10-0064/2025 – 2025/0085(COD))

    The votes on both requests would be taken on Wednesday 7 May 2025.

    The agenda was amended accordingly.


    3. A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU (2025/2657(RSP))

    Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Maroš Šefčovič (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Jörgen Warborn, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jordan Bardella, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Bas Eickhout, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Michał Szczerba, Kathleen Van Brempt, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Adam Bielan, Karin Karlsbro, Anna Cavazzini, Manon Aubry, Petr Bystron and Fabio De Masi.

    IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Lukas Sieper, to put a question to Fabio De Masi, who answered it, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, Bernd Lange, Anna Bryłka, Daniele Polato, Svenja Hahn, Saskia Bricmont, Lynn Boylan, Lukas Sieper, Eva Maydell, Brando Benifei, Enikő Győri, Jaak Madison, Benoit Cassart, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Pasquale Tridico, Željana Zovko, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Yannis Maniatis, Isabella Tovaglieri, Rihards Kols, Ľubica Karvašová, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Li Andersson, Angelika Niebler, Camilla Laureti, Sebastian Kruis, Kris Van Dijck, Barry Cowen, Isabella Lövin, Lídia Pereira, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Petra Steger, Adrian-George Axinia, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Raphaël Glucksmann, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marion Maréchal, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Francisco Assis, Alexandr Vondra, Mika Aaltola, Evin Incir, Francesco Torselli, Jüri Ratas, Andi Cristea, Maria Walsh, Tonino Picula, Borja Giménez Larraz, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Nina Carberry, Salvatore De Meo, Carmen Crespo Díaz, Luděk Niedermayer, Ingeborg Ter Laak and Miriam Lexmann.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Francisco José Millán Mon, Maria Grapini, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Hilde Vautmans, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Marc Botenga, Kostas Papadakis, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, João Oliveira, Ana Miranda Paz, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Lucia Annunziata, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Dariusz Joński.

    The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič and Adam Szłapka.

    The debate closed.


    4. CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027 (debate)

    Statements by Parliament: CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027 (2025/2700(RSP))

    The following spoke: Jens Gieseke, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jordan Bardella, on behalf of the PfE Group, Carlo Fidanza, on behalf of the ECR Group, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, on behalf of the Renew Group, Kai Tegethoff, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Per Clausen, on behalf of The Left Group, and Siegbert Frank Droese, on behalf of the ESN Group.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
    Vice-President

    5. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:05.


    6. Voting time

    For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.


    6.1. CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027 ***I (vote)

    Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 to include an additional flexibility as regards the calculation of manufacturers’ compliance with CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for the calendar years 2025 to 2027 [COM(2025)0136 – C10-0062/2025 – 2025/0070(COD)] – ENVI Committee

    REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION from the ECR Group, and jointly from the PPE, S&D and Renew groups (Rule 170(6))

    Approved

    The following tabling deadlines had been set:

    – amendments: Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 13:00
    – requests for separate votes and split votes: Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 19:00

    Vote: 8 May 2025.

    The following had spoken:

    Ondřej Krutílek, on behalf of the ECR Group (author of the request), before the vote.

    Detailed voting results


    6.2. The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) ***I (vote)

    The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) [COM(2025)0106 – C10-0044/2025 – 2025/0058(COD)] – ENVI Committee

    REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION from the ENVI Committee (Rule 170(6))

    Approved

    The following tabling deadlines had been set:

    – amendments: Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 13:00
    – requests for separate votes and split votes: Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 19:00

    Vote: 8 May 2025.

    The following had spoken:

    Sebastian Everding, against the request, before the vote.

    Detailed voting results


    6.3. Amendments to the Capital Requirements Regulation as regards securities financing transactions under the net stable funding ratio ***I (vote)

    Amendments to the Capital Requirements Regulation as regards securities financing transactions under the net stable funding ratio [COM(2025)0146 – C10-0059/2025 – 2025/0077(COD)] – ECON Committee

    REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION from the ECON Committee (Rule 170(6))

    Approved

    The following tabling deadlines had been set:

    – amendments: Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 13:00
    – requests for separate votes and split votes: Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 19:00

    Vote: 8 May 2025.

    Detailed voting results


    6.4. Request for the waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron (vote)

    Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron [2024/2047(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Pascale Piera (A10-0077/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)67)

    Detailed voting results


    6.5. Request for the waiver of the immunity of Petras Gražulis (vote)

    Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Petras Gražulis [2024/2089(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Pascale Piera (A10-0078/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)68)

    Detailed voting results


    6.6. Request for the waiver of the immunity of Grzegorz Braun (vote)

    Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Grzegorz Braun [2024/2102(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Dainius Žalimas (A10-0081/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)69)

    Detailed voting results


    6.7. Border regions’ instrument for development and growth (BRIDGEforEU) ***II (vote)

    Recommendation for second reading on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context [17102/1/2024 – C10-0057/2025 – 2018/0198(COD)] – Committee on Regional Development. Rapporteur: Sandro Gozi (A10-0058/2025)

    The President informed the House that no proposals for rejection or amendment had been tabled in accordance with Rules 68 and 69 with regard to the Council’s position.

    The Council position was therefore deemed approved.

    The proposed act was thus adopted (P10_TA(2025)70)

    The following had spoken:

    Before the President’s announcement, Sandro Gozi (rapporteur), to make a statement under Rule 165(4).

    Detailed voting results


    6.8. Amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 as regards the scope of the rules for benchmarks, the use in the Union of benchmarks provided by an administrator located in a third country, and certain reporting requirements ***II (vote)

    Recommendation for second reading on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 as regards the scope of the rules for benchmarks, the use in the Union of benchmarks provided by an administrator located in a third country, and certain reporting requirements [05123/1/2025 – C10-0055/2025 – 2023/0379(COD)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Jonás Fernández (A10-0060/2025)

    The President informed the House that no proposals for rejection or amendment had been tabled in accordance with Rules 68 and 69 with regard to the Council’s position.

    The Council position was therefore deemed approved.

    The proposed act was thus adopted (P10_TA(2025)71)

    Detailed voting results


    6.9. European Union labour market statistics on businesses ***II (vote)

    Recommendation for second reading on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European Union labour market statistics on businesses, repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 530/1999 and Regulations (EC) No 450/2003 and (EC) No 453/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council [17082/1/2024 – C10-0054/2025 – 2023/0288(COD)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Irene Tinagli (A10-0057/2025)

    The President informed the House that no proposals for rejection or amendment had been tabled in accordance with Rules 68 and 69 with regard to the Council’s position.

    The Council position was therefore deemed approved.

    The proposed act was thus adopted (P10_TA(2025)72)

    Detailed voting results


    6.10. Amendments to the International Health Regulations contained in the Annex to Resolution WHA77.17 and adopted on 1 June 2024 *** (vote)

    Recommendation on the draft Council decision inviting Member States to accept, in the interest of the European Union, the amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) contained in the Annex to Resolution WHA77.17 and adopted on 1 June 2024 [17046/2024 – COM(2024)0541 – C10-0005/2025 – 2024/0299(NLE)] – Committee on Public Health. Rapporteur: Adam Jarubas (A10-0064/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    DRAFT COUNCIL DECISION

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)73)

    Detailed voting results


    6.11. Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers: application EGF/2024/003 BE/Van Hool – Belgium (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Belgium – EGF/2024/003 BE/Van Hool [COM(2025)0001 – C10-0056/2025 – 2025/0061(BUD)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Janusz Lewandowski (A10-0080/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)74)

    Detailed voting results


    6.12. Protection of the European Union’s financial interests – combating fraud – annual report 2023 (vote)

    Report on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests – combating fraud – annual report 2023 [2024/2083(INI)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Gilles Boyer (A10-0049/2025)

    The debate had taken place on 5 May 2025 (minutes of 5.5.2025, item 19).

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)75)

    Detailed voting results


    6.13. Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2023 (vote)

    Report on the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2023 [2024/2052(INI)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Ondřej Knotek (A10-0068/2025)

    The debate had taken place on 5 May 2025 (minutes of 5.5.2025, item 21).

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)76)

    Detailed voting results

    13

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)


    7. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:28.


    8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.


    9. A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world (debate)

    Report on a revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world [2024/2051(INI)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteurs: Siegfried Mureşan and Carla Tavares (A10-0076/2025)

    Siegfried Mureşan and Carla Tavares introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Piotr Serafin (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Hilde Vautmans (rapporteur for the opinion of the AFET Committee), Barry Andrews (rapporteur for the opinion of the DEVE Committee), Dirk Gotink (rapporteur for the opinion of the CONT Committee), Damian Boeselager (rapporteur for the opinion of the ECON Committee), Romana Tomc (rapporteur for the opinion of the EMPL Committee), Michalis Hadjipantela (rapporteur for the opinion of the ENVI Committee), Christian Ehler (rapporteur for the opinion of the ITRE Committee), Aura Salla (rapporteur for the opinion of the IMCO Committee), Rosa Serrano Sierra (rapporteur for the opinion of the TRAN Committee), Dragoş Benea (rapporteur for the opinion of the REGI Committee), Stefano Bonaccini (rapporteur for the opinion of the AGRI Committee), Hannes Heide (rapporteur for the opinion of the CULT Committee), Loucas Fourlas (rapporteur for the opinion of the LIBE Committee), Sven Simon (rapporteur for the opinion of the AFCO Committee), Alexandra Geese (rapporteur for the opinion of the FEMM Committee), Karlo Ressler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Jean-Marc Germain, on behalf of the S&D Group, Julien Sanchez, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bogdan Rzońca, on behalf of the ECR Group, Fabienne Keller, on behalf of the Renew Group, Rasmus Nordqvist, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, João Oliveira, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Danuše Nerudová, Gabriele Bischoff, Jana Nagyová, Johan Van Overtveldt, Lucia Yar, Rasmus Andresen, Alexander Jungbluth, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea and Jens Geier.

    IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Annamária Vicsek, who also answered a blue-card question from Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Ruggero Razza, Joachim Streit, Maria Ohisalo, Janusz Lewandowski, Sandra Gómez López, Dick Erixon, Anouk Van Brug, Hélder Sousa Silva, Dario Nardella, Fernand Kartheiser, Moritz Körner, who also answered a blue-card question from Rasmus Andresen, Georgios Aftias, Estelle Ceulemans, Laurence Trochu, Charles Goerens, Nina Carberry, René Repasi, Kristoffer Storm, Katri Kulmuni, Herbert Dorfmann, Victor Negrescu, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu, Andrey Novakov, Giuseppe Lupo, Antonella Sberna, Péter Magyar, Marcos Ros Sempere, Elena Nevado del Campo, Evin Incir, Thomas Bajada, Matjaž Nemec and André Rodrigues.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Lukas Sieper, Nikolina Brnjac, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Nils Ušakovs.

    The following spoke: Piotr Serafin, Siegfried Mureşan and Carla Tavares.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 7 May 2025.


    10. Discharge 2023 (joint debate)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – Commission, executive agencies and European Development Funds
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section III – Commission, executive agencies and the ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0067/2024 – 2024/2019(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Niclas Herbst (A10-0074/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – European Parliament
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section I – European Parliament [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0068/2024 – 2024/2020(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Monika Hohlmeier (A10-0062/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – European Council and Council
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section II – European Council and Council [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0069/2024 – 2024/2021(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0052/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – Court of Justice of the European Union
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IV – Court of Justice [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0070/2024 – 2024/2022(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Cristian Terheş (A10-0050/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – Court of Auditors
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section V – Court of Auditors [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0071/2024 – 2024/2023(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Dick Erixon (A10-0047/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – European Economic and Social Committee
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section VI – European Economic and Social Committee [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0073/2024 – 2024/2025(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0054/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – Committee of the Regions
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section VII – Committee of the Regions [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0074/2024 – 2024/2026(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0046/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – European Ombudsman
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section VIII – European Ombudsman [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0075/2024 – 2024/2027(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0055/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – European Data Protection Supervisor
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0076/2024 – 2024/2028(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0053/2025)

    Discharge 2023: EU general budget – European External Action Service
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section X – European External Action Service [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0072/2024 – 2024/2024(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0069/2025)

    Discharge 2023: European Public Prosecutor’s Office
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for the financial year 2023 [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0077/2024 – 2024/2029(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský (A10-0051/2025)

    Discharge 2023: Agencies
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agencies for the financial year 2023 [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0078/2024 – 2024/2030(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Erik Marquardt (A10-0065/2025)

    Discharge 2023: Joint Undertakings
    Report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the EU joint undertakings for the financial year 2023 [COM(2024)0272 – C10-0079/2024 – 2024/2031(DEC)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Michal Wiezik (A10-0056/2025)

    Niclas Herbst, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Cristian Terheş, Dick Erixon, Monika Hohlmeier, Tomáš Zdechovský, Erik Marquardt and Michal Wiezik introduced the reports.

    The following spoke: Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council), Piotr Serafin (Member of the Commission) and Tony Murphy (President of the Court of Auditors).

    The following spoke: Michael Gahler (rapporteur for the opinion of the AFET Committee).

    IN THE CHAIR: Martin HOJSÍK
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Romana Tomc (rapporteur for the opinion of the EMPL Committee), Antonio Decaro (rapporteur for the opinion of the ENVI Committee), Gheorghe Falcă (rapporteur for the opinion of the TRAN Committee), Giuseppe Lupo (rapporteur for the opinion of the PECH Committee), Nela Riehl (rapporteur for the opinion of the CULT Committee), Sven Simon (rapporteur for the opinion of the AFCO Committee), Tomáš Zdechovský (rapporteur for the opinion of the LIBE Committee), Lina Gálvez (rapporteur for the opinion of the FEMM Committee), Dirk Gotink, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Julien Sanchez, on behalf of the PfE Group, Marco Squarta, on behalf of the ECR Group, Olivier Chastel, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Sarah Knafo, on behalf of the ESN Group, Kinga Kollár, Carla Tavares, Angéline Furet, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Gilles Boyer, Pasquale Tridico, Arno Bausemer, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Céline Imart, José Cepeda, Anders Vistisen, Marion Maréchal, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Marit Maij, Nikola Bartůšek, Maciej Wąsik, Christophe Clergeau, Fabrice Leggeri, Gheorghe Piperea, Evin Incir and Tiago Moreira de Sá.

    IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Fernand Kartheiser, Nils Ušakovs and Csaba Dömötör.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Sebastian Tynkkynen and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Tony Murphy, Piotr Serafin, Adam Szłapka, Niclas Herbst, Monika Hohlmeier, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Cristian Terheş, Dick Erixon, Tomáš Zdechovský, Erik Marquardt and Michal Wiezik.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 7 May 2025.


    11. Protecting Greenland’s right to decide its own future and maintain the rule-based world order (debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Protecting Greenland’s right to decide its own future and maintain the rule-based world order (2025/2689(RSP))

    Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Henrik Dahl, on behalf of the PPE Group, Christel Schaldemose, on behalf of the S&D Group, Anders Vistisen, on behalf of the PfE Group, Kristoffer Storm, on behalf of the ECR Group, Stine Bosse, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Emma Fourreau, on behalf of The Left Group, Niels Flemming Hansen, Yannis Maniatis, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, Urmas Paet, Ignazio Roberto Marino, Per Clausen, David McAllister, Niels Fuglsang, Morten Løkkegaard, Michael Gahler, Tonino Picula, Michał Szczerba, Mika Aaltola and Jüri Ratas.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Pernando Barrena Arza and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    The debate closed.


    12. An urgent assessment of the applicability of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) with Cuba (debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: An urgent assessment of the applicability of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) with Cuba (2025/2697(RSP))

    Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Gabriel Mato, on behalf of the PPE Group, Leire Pajín, on behalf of the S&D Group, Hermann Tertsch, on behalf of the PfE Group (the President reminded the speaker of the rules on conduct), Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, on behalf of the Renew Group, Ana Miranda Paz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Irene Montero, on behalf of The Left Group, and Elena Nevado del Campo.

    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Nacho Sánchez Amor, Nora Junco García, who also answered a blue-card question from Anthony Smith, Pernando Barrena Arza, Ľuboš Blaha, who also answered blue-card questions from Arkadiusz Mularczyk and Anthony Smith, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Francisco Assis, Mariusz Kamiński, Martin Sonneborn, Antonio López-Istúriz White and Francisco José Millán Mon.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Jaume Asens Llodrà, João Oliveira, Maria Zacharia, Leila Chaibi, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Kateřina Konečná and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    The debate closed.


    13. The European Water Resilience Strategy (debate)

    Report on the European Water Resilience Strategy [2024/2104(INI)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Thomas Bajada (A10-0073/2025)

    Thomas Bajada introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Jessika Roswall (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Michal Wiezik (rapporteur for the opinion of the AGRI Committee), Carmen Crespo Díaz, on behalf of the PPE Group, Christophe Clergeau, on behalf of the S&D Group, Mireia Borrás Pabón, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alexandr Vondra, on behalf of the ECR Group, Grégory Allione, on behalf of the Renew Group, Jutta Paulus, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Anja Arndt, on behalf of the ESN Group, Peter Liese, Annalisa Corrado, André Rougé, Anna Zalewska, Ana Vasconcelos, Tilly Metz, Emma Fourreau, Ingeborg Ter Laak, César Luena, Rody Tolassy, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Emma Wiesner, Pär Holmgren, Dimitris Tsiodras, Heléne Fritzon, Mathilde Androuët, Paolo Inselvini, Jeannette Baljeu, Cristina Guarda, Lídia Pereira, Antonio Decaro, Esther Herranz García, Günther Sidl, Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, András Tivadar Kulja, Stefan Köhler and Sander Smit.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Krzysztof Hetman.

    IN THE CHAIR: Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ
    Vice-President

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Viktória Ferenc, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ana Miranda Paz, Lukas Sieper, Kostas Papadakis and Maria Zacharia.

    The following spoke: Jessika Roswall and Thomas Bajada.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 7 May 2025.


    14. 2023 and 2024 reports on Türkiye (debate)

    2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye [2025/2023(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Nacho Sánchez Amor (A10-0067/2025)

    Nacho Sánchez Amor introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Isabel Wiseler-Lima, on behalf of the PPE Group, Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Nikola Bartůšek, on behalf of the PfE Group, Geadis Geadi, on behalf of the ECR Group, Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Vladimir Prebilič, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Tomasz Froelich, on behalf of the ESN Group, Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Emmanouil Fragkos, Lucia Yar, Mélissa Camara, Özlem Demirel, Kostas Papadakis, Loucas Fourlas, Vivien Costanzo, Matthieu Valet, Tineke Strik, Jonas Sjöstedt, who also answered a blue-card question from Beatrice Timgren, Maria Zacharia, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Evin Incir, Silvia Sardone, Fidias Panayiotou, Łukasz Kohut, Andreas Schieder, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Davor Ivo Stier, who also answered a blue-card question from Geadis Geadi, Reinhold Lopatka and Michalis Hadjipantela.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Costas Mavrides, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Sebastian Everding and Nikolas Farantouris.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos.

    IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Nacho Sánchez Amor.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 7 May 2025.


    15. Welcome

    On behalf of Parliament the President welcomed a group of young people from Serbia who had taken their seats in the distinguished visitors’ gallery.


    16. 2023 and 2024 reports on Serbia (debate)

    Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Serbia [2025/2022(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Tonino Picula (A10-0072/2025)

    Tonino Picula introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Davor Ivo Stier, on behalf of the PPE Group, Kathleen Van Brempt, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, on behalf of the ECR Group, Helmut Brandstätter, on behalf of the Renew Group, Vladimir Prebilič, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Danilo Della Valle, on behalf of The Left Group, Michał Szczerba, Thijs Reuten, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomislav Sokol, António Tânger Corrêa, Cristian Terheş, Irena Joveva, Gordan Bosanac, Liudas Mažylis, Andreas Schieder, Annamária Vicsek, Matej Tonin, Thierry Mariani and Tomislav Sokol.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Loucas Fourlas, Matjaž Nemec, Kristian Vigenin and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos and Tonino Picula.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 7 May 2025.


    17. 2023 and 2024 reports on Kosovo (debate)

    Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission Reports on Kosovo [2025/2019(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Riho Terras (A10-0075/2025)

    Riho Terras introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Davor Ivo Stier, on behalf of the PPE Group, Elio Di Rupo, on behalf of the S&D Group, Matthieu Valet, on behalf of the PfE Group, Ivaylo Valchev, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, on behalf of the Renew Group, Thomas Waitz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Merja Kyllönen, on behalf of The Left Group, Stanislav Stoyanov, on behalf of the ESN Group, Liudas Mažylis, Matjaž Nemec and Alexander Sell.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Thijs Reuten and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos and Riho Terras.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 7 May 2025.


    18. Explanations of vote


    18.1. Written explanations of vote

    Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.


    19. Agenda of the next sitting

    The next sitting would be held the following day, 7 May 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.


    20. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

    In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.


    21. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 22:29.


    ATTENDANCE REGISTER

    Present:

    Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Annunziata Lucia, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Christensen Asger, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Deutsch Tamás, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Everding Sebastian, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glück Andreas, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Győri Enikő, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovařík Ondřej, Kovatchev Andrey, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Loiseau Nathalie, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Magyar Péter, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martusciello Fulvio, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Mato Gabriel, Mavrides Costas, Maydell Eva, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moratti Letizia, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Nica Dan, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ondruš Branislav, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pietikäinen Sirpa, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schnurrbusch Volker, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Ştefănuță Nicolae, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Tudose Mihai, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vind Marianne, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

    Excused:

    Verheyen Sabine

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – EP TODAY – Wednesday 7 May

    Source: European Parliament

    Securing a just peace in Ukraine

    At 9:00, MEPs, Commission President von der Leyen and Polish Minister for EU Affairs Szłapka will discuss how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. The debate is set to focus on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law.

    Viktor ALMQVIST

    (+32) 470 88 29 42

    Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS

    (+32) 470 96 08 19

    @EP_ForeignAff

    @EP_Defence

    Parliament to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe

    To commemorate the end of World War II in Europe, a flag raising will take place on the WEISS esplanade at 10:30, followed by a wreath laying ceremony by Presidents Metsola and Costa and World War II veterans. At 11:30, President Metsola will address plenary, followed by statements by President Costa and three war veterans from Belgium and Poland.

    Andreas KLEINER

    (+32) 498 98 33 22

    Estefania NARRILLOS

    (+32) 498 98 39 85

    @EuroParlPress

    Parliament’s priorities for post-2027 long-term EU budget: vote on a resolution

    At noon, MEPs are set to adopt a resolution outlining their vision and demands for the EU’s 2028-2034 budget. The draft text calls on the EU to deliver on the rising expectations of citizens for EU action and adopt a flexible post-2027 budget that reflects current geopolitical, economic, and environmental realities. A press conference with EP President Metsola and the two rapporteurs will take place at 14.00.

    Eszter ZALÁN

    (+32) 477 99 20 73

    @EP_Budgets

    In brief

    Gas supply. In the early evening, MEPs and Commissioner Jørgensen will debate a proposal to prolong rules on gas storage refilling to address gas market speculation and bring down prices. The vote will take place on Thursday.

    Iberian peninsula electricity blackout. In a debate at around 15:30, MEPs will discuss with Commissioner Jørgensen and Polish Minister Szłapka how to improve electricity grid resilience and interconnections in the wake of the recent blackout incident.

    TikTok. MEPs and Commissioner McGrath will debate the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms, from round 20:30.

    Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme. In the late afternoon, Parliament, Commissioner McGrath and Polish Minister Szłapka will debate the follow-up to the EU Court of Justice verdict that Malta’s citizenship by investment programme is illegal.

    Erdoğan/Cyprus. In the evening, plenary will assess the illegal visit of President Erdoğan to the occupied areas of Cyprus in a debate with Commissioner Várhelyi.

    Increase in food prices. Earlier in the afternoon, MEPs will discuss with Commissioner Kadis and Polish Minister Szłapka how high levels of retail food prices are affecting European consumers.

    Human rights. In the evening, Parliament will debate the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania; the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia; and violations of religious freedom in Tibet. MEPs will vote on three separate resolutions on Thursday.

    Votes

    At noon, MEPs will vote, among other files, on:

    • the management of the 2023 EU budget by the Commission and other EU institutions and agencies;
    • the 2023 and 2024 reports on Türkiye, Serbia and Kosovo; and
    • the European water resilience strategy.

    Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+.

    For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.

    Find more information regarding plenary.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Abaxx Announces First Carbon Futures Delivery on Abaxx Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE:ABXX)(OTCQX:ABXXF) (“Abaxx” or the “Company”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “Abaxx Exchange” and “Abaxx Clearing”), and producer of the SmarterMarkets™ Podcast, today announced the successful first delivery under a carbon futures contract on Abaxx Exchange.

    The delivery, involving 50 lots of May 2025 CORSIA¹ Phase 1 Carbon Offset Unit Futures (“CP1”) priced at USD $24.25/tCO₂e², validates the clearing, delivery, and settlement processes underpinning Abaxx Exchange’s physically-deliverable futures contracts. It marks the first live exercise of Abaxx’s end-to-end infrastructure for managing the transfer of environmental assets through a regulated futures market.

    The transaction was completed between Mercuria Energy Trading SA (METSA) and a U.S. based counterparty, with Eagle Commodities, a division of Marex, facilitating the original trade. Clearing services were provided by KGI Securities, Marex, and another bank clearing firm.

    The delivery involved the transfer of eligible CORSIA Phase 1 carbon units from Mercuria to a registry account established for the buyer, fulfilling the delivery obligations under the May 2025 CP1 futures contract.

    “This marks the first delivery through Abaxx’s carbon futures infrastructure, a contract structure designed to support price formation, risk management, and forward planning,” said Alasdair Were, Head of Environmental Markets at Abaxx Exchange. “These are the functions needed to make environmental markets investable and connect capital to climate-linked exposures.”

    “We are proud to support the execution, clearing and delivery of the May 2025 CORSIA Phase 1 Carbon Offset Unit Futures,” said Ken Ong, CEO of KGI Securities. “This transaction underscores the strength of Abaxx Exchange’s infrastructure and our commitment to sustainable finance, empowering clients in the evolving environmental asset landscape.”

    The CORSIA Phase 1 Carbon Offset Unit Futures contract, launched in June 2024, is part of Abaxx Exchange’s growing suite of physically-deliverable products across energy, environmental, battery materials, and precious metals markets.

    Abaxx’s full suite of futures contracts is open for trading 14 hours a day, Monday through Friday. For a full list of clearing firms and execution brokers, visit our market directory.

    About Abaxx Technologies

    Abaxx Technologies is building Smarter Markets: markets empowered by better tools, better benchmarks, and better technology to drive market-based solutions to the biggest challenges we face as a society, including the energy transition.

    In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is the majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, and the parent company of wholly owned subsidiary Abaxx Spot Pte. Ltd., the operator of Abaxx Spot.

    Abaxx Exchange delivers the market infrastructure critical to the shift toward an electrified, low-carbon economy through centrally-cleared, physically-deliverable futures contracts in LNG, carbon, battery materials, and precious metals, meeting the commercial needs of today’s commodity markets and establishing the next generation of global benchmarks.

    Abaxx Spot modernizes physical gold trading through a digitally integrated, physically-backed gold pool in Singapore. It is set to become the first market infrastructure to align spot and futures gold markets in the same location—enabling secure electronic transactions, efficient OTC transfers, and physical delivery for Abaxx Exchange’s gold futures contracts to deliver smarter gold markets.

    For more information, visit abaxx.tech | abaxx.exchange | abaxxspot.com | basecarbon.com | smartermarkets.media

    For more information about this press release, please contact:

    Steve Fray, CFO
    Tel: +1 647-490-1590

    Media and investor inquiries:

    Abaxx Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations Team
    Tel: +1 647-490-1590
    E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech

    ¹ Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation
    ² Tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward- looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

    Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes, but is not limited to: the business plans and objectives of Abaxx; the development of new products, futures contracts, markets and technologies and associated benefits. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: the inability to receive regulatory approvals in connection with financings or inability to finalize transaction documentation; risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; acquiring and maintaining regulatory approvals for Abaxx’s products and operations; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions; protection of intellectual property rights; contractual risk; third-party risk; clearinghouse risk; malicious actor risks; third-party software license risk; system failure risk; risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; changes in the price of commodities; capital market conditions; restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains; and the risk factors identified in the Company’s most recent management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business.

    Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward- looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. Cboe Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Nigeria/UK: “Historic moment” as community devastated by Shell oil spills have final chance for justice   

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Ahead of Thursday’s start of the trial of Renaissance, an oil company to which Shell recently sold its stake in onshore oil extraction in Nigeria, for the damage caused by oil spills which impacted a large area of land belonging to the Bodo Community in the Niger Delta, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria Director said: 

    “Almost two decades since oil spills by Shell’s then-Nigerian subsidiary SPDC devastated huge swathes of mangrove habitat, the Bodo community whose lives and livelihoods were – and continue to be – affected by the pollution, have a final chance for justice. 

    This long-overdue trial must provide the Bodo communities the justice and remediation they have fought for

    “Despite Shell admitting responsibility for the pollution over a decade ago, this case aims to prove that their promised clean-up is far from complete and contamination continues to pose a serious health risk to tens of thousands of people. 

    “It is shameful that it has taken so long and required legal action to get the companies responsible for this environmental destruction to face their responsibilities. We hope that this long-overdue trial will provide the affected Bodo communities the justice and remediation they have fought for and deserve. This is a historic moment that should serve as a reminder that a just transition to clean energy also means holding polluters to account for the harm they have caused in the past.”  

    Background 

    In 2008 there were two massive oil spills, caused by poorly maintained Shell pipelines, in a creek close to the Bodo community. Crude oil continuously leaked into the water for five weeks on each occasion. Shell settled with the community in 2014 but has yet to clean up Bodo’s devastated waterways despite a mediation process that started in 2015. 

    The Court of Appeal heard the Shell Nigeria oil spill appeal on 8 October 2024. On 11 October 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Nigerian communities over alleged pollution by oil giant Shell. On 6 December 2024, a full trial of Nigerian communities’ claims against Shell was given the go ahead. 

    The Bodo community’s legal claim is being brought against Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (RAEC), which was formed after Shell divested from its Nigerian subsidiary Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) in March 2025. Ahead of the sale, Amnesty International called for Shell to be held accountable for the environmental damage they had caused in the Niger Delta. 

    Over the past 20 years, Amnesty International has conducted extensive research and documented the human rights and environmental impact of Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta. In Amnesty’s 2023 report, Nigeria: Tainted Sale?, the organization recommended a series of safeguards to protect the rights of people potentially affected by Shell’s planned disposal of its oil interests in Nigeria. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 7 May 2025 Departmental update Low-cost, quality-assured HIV tests to sustain access to life-saving services

    Source: World Health Organisation

    HIV testing is an essential health service and is the critical gateway to both prevention and treatment. With several countries facing significant financial uncertainty, it is urgent for countries to adopt pragmatic cost-saving measures. By prioritizing low-cost and effective differentiated HIV testing solutions, countries can ensure continuity of services for people living with HIV on life-saving treatment and protect hard-won public health gains.

    To adapt to this new environment, WHO encourages countries to adopt low-cost WHO pre-qualified HIV rapid tests as the first test in their testing strategy and update their national algorithms accordingly. This also applies to the HIV syphilis dual tests in antenatal care. Adopting a high quality and low-cost first test in a national HIV testing algorithm will result in an immediate and substantial reduction in testing costs for countries. Countries can refer to WHO’s Toolkit to optimize HIV testing algorithms to select a listed low-cost product and to be able to rapidly transition their testing programmes. 

    WHO recommends flexible algorithms and supports verification studies during or after the algorithm transition, using multiple WHO prequalified products as the first test. 

    For additional savings, WHO urges countries to adopt low-cost and quality-assured HIV self-tests (blood or oral). Programmes with limited health workers and testing capacity may also consider using HIV self-tests as an alternative first test, especially in contexts where gaps in maintaining service delivery remain. Further guidance on using HIV self-tests can be found in the 2024 WHO Consolidated guidelines on differentiated HIV testing service. This includes a recommendation on facility-based self-testing. It also aims to help countries sustain and expand HIV testing coverage amid constrained budgets.  

    “The global HIV response and epidemic control is at risk,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes. “We must continue to do everything we can to support countries in delivering life-saving HIV services. Providing countries flexibility and shifting to low-cost, quality-assured HIV rapid tests  , dual HIV/syphilis and self-tests will ensure impact, quality and allow more resources to reach people living with HIV and prevent new infections.”

    WHO can support countries to expedite product availability in countries, such as through waivers to expedite regulatory approvals, which are needed to make this rapid transition. Existing national regulatory pathways can also help fast-track the introduction and registration of new products.

    There is a wide selection of low-cost, WHO-prequalified HIV tests available. Countries can use the WHO diagnostic catalogue and product selection tool to review these options and optimize their national testing strategies. “This guidance is only possible thanks to   WHO’s Prequalification (PQ) Programme, which ensures that quality-assured diagnostics are accessible and affordable for all low- and middle-income countries,” said Dr Rogerio Gaspar, Director of WHO Department of Regulation and Prequalification. 

    The WHO PQ Programme evaluates HIV in vitro diagnostics against international standards of quality, safety and performance. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that countries can provide high-quality diagnosis, effective prevention, and access to treatment for those who need it.

    Engagement with procurers and those hosting pooled procurement mechanisms is critical as well. 

    “The Global Fund welcomes this important guidance from the World Health Organization, which will help countries sustain life-saving HIV services,” said Marijke Wijnroks, the Global Fund’s Head of Strategic Investment and Impact. “We look forward to working with countries to support adoption and implementation of this guidance to both minimize the costs of HIV tests and ensure sustained provision and access to HIV testing services.”

    With support from global partners,  WHO continues to work to secure access to HIV diagnostics in all countries and across all settings to ensure life-saving services continue and no one is left behind.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for the period 2026-2027 complementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and repealing Council Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765 – A10-0083/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for the period 2026-2027 complementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and repealing Council Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765

    (COM(2025)0060 – C10‑0052/2025 – 2025/0035(NLE))

    (Consultation)

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2025)0060),

    – having regard to Article 7 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C10-0052/2025),

    – having regard to Rule 84 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A10-0083/2025),

    1. Approves the Commission proposal;

    2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

    3. Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the text approved by Parliament;

    4. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission.

     

    ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

    The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

     

     

    PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

    Title

    Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for the period 2026-2027 complementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and repealing Council Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765

    References

    COM(2025)0060 – C10-0052/2025 – 2025/0035(NLE)

    Date of consultation or request for consent

    24.3.2025

     

     

     

    Committee(s) responsible

    ITRE

     

     

     

    Committees asked for opinions

     Date announced in plenary

    BUDG

     

     

     

     

    Not delivering opinions

     Date of decision

    BUDG

    9.4.2025

     

     

     

    Rapporteurs

     Date appointed

    Borys Budka

    9.4.2025

     

     

     

    Simplified procedure – date of decision

    9.4.2025

    Date adopted

    24.4.2025

     

     

     

    Date tabled

    30.4.2025

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: TransAlta Reports First Quarter 2025 Results and Reaffirms Annual Guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta or the Company) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    “Our business delivered strong operational performance across the fleet during the first quarter. While the Company’s merchant portfolio in Alberta was partially impacted by softer power prices, our hedging strategy and active asset optimization continued to generate realized prices well above spot prices,” said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta.

    “We have a unique and diversified generating fleet that is complemented by a highly skilled energy marketing and trading team. Though we are operating within a challenging pricing environment in Alberta, our assets continue to perform well, and we remain confident in our 2025 Outlook,” added Mr. Kousinioris.

    “During the quarter, we executed and progressed multiple strategic initiatives. We advanced our growth plan by securing a strategic partnership with Nova Clean Energy, LLC, which grants the Company the exclusive option to purchase late-stage development projects in the western United States. Nova’s team has a successful track record of developing projects across the U.S. and has a development portfolio of over four GW. We continued to advance our data centre strategy in Alberta by moving into the commercialization phase. Negotiations on repowering opportunities at our Centralia facility continue to progress. And, finally, we successfully issued $450 million of medium-term notes and repaid our $400 million term loan that was due later this year, maintaining our financial strength and capital discipline.”

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Achieved strong operational availability of 94.9 per cent in 2025, compared to 92.3 per cent in 2024
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $270 million, compared to $342 million for the same period in 2024
    • Free Cash Flow (FCF)(1) of $139 million, or $0.47 per share, compared to $221 million, or $0.72 per share, for the same period in 2024
    • Adjusted earnings before income taxes(1) of $28 million, or $0.09 per share, compared to $144 million, or $0.47 per share, for the same period in 2024
    • Cash flow from operating activities of $7 million, compared to $244 million from the same period in 2024
    • Net earnings attributable to common shareholders(1) of $46 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to $222 million, or $0.72 per share, for the same period in 2024
    • Declared quarterly dividend of $0.065 per share common share, an increase of eight per cent

    Key Business Developments

    Nova Clean Energy, LLC

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company made a strategic investment in Nova Clean Energy, LLC (Nova), a developer of renewable energy projects. The investment includes a US$75 million term loan and US$100 million revolving facility. At closing of the transaction, US$74 million was drawn by Nova under the credit facilities. The outstanding principal under the term loan and the revolving facility bear interest of seven per cent per annum with interest due quarterly. The terms of the term loan and the revolving facility are six and five years, respectively, unless accelerated. The term loan is convertible to a minority equity interest at any time, prior to maturity, at the option of the Company and any remaining unused term loan commitments at the time of conversion would be terminated. This investment provides the Company with the exclusive right to purchase Nova’s late-stage development projects in the western U.S.

    Annual Shareholder Meeting

    On April 24, 2025 at TransAlta’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders, the Company received strong support on all items of business, including the election of all 11 director nominees, re-appointment of auditors, Say-on-Pay, and approval of the Company’s Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan.

    Two directors did not stand for re-election and the Board would like to extend its gratitude to Mr. Harry Goldgut and Ms. Sarah Slusser for their service.

    The Company welcomed Mr. Brian Baker to the Board who brings extensive experience in strategic direction, risk management and growth alongside his extensive background in infrastructure.

    Mothballing of Sundance 6

    As previously communicated, the Company mothballed the Sundance Unit 6 facility on April 1, 2025. The Company initially provided notice to the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) on Nov. 4, 2024, that Sundance Unit 6 would be mothballed on April 1, 2025, for a period of up to two years depending on market conditions. TransAlta maintains the flexibility to return the mothballed unit to service when market fundamentals improve or opportunities to contract are secured.

    Senior Notes Offering

    On March 24, 2025, the Company issued $450 million of senior notes with a fixed annual coupon of 5.625 per cent, maturing on March 24, 2032. The notes are unsecured and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness. Interest payments on the notes are made semi-annually, on March 24 and Sept. 24, with the first payment commencing Sept. 24, 2025.

    On March 25, 2025, the Company repaid its $400 million variable rate term loan facility in advance of the scheduled maturity date of Sept. 7, 2025, with the proceeds received from the $450 million senior notes offering.

    Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) and Automatic Securities Purchase Plan (ASPP)

    TransAlta remains committed to enhancing shareholder returns through appropriate capital allocation such as share buybacks and its quarterly dividend.

    On May 27, 2024, the Company announced that it had received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to purchase up to 14 million common shares during the 12-month period that commenced May 31, 2024, and terminates May 31, 2025. Any common shares purchased under the NCIB will be cancelled.

    On Feb. 19, 2025 the Company announced it was allocating up to $100 million to be returned to shareholders in the form of share repurchases.

    On March 25, 2025, the Company entered into an ASPP to facilitate repurchases of TransAlta’s common shares under its NCIB. Under the ASPP, the Company’s broker may purchase common shares from the effective date of the ASPP until the termination of the ASPP. All purchases of common shares made under the ASPP will be included in determining the number of common shares purchased under the NCIB. The ASPP will terminate on the earliest of: (a) May 8, 2025; (b) the date on which the maximum purchase limits under the ASPP are reached; or (c) the date on which the Company terminates the ASPP in accordance with its terms.

    As of May 6, 2025, the Company has purchased and cancelled a total of 1,932,800 common shares, at an average price of $12.42 per common share, for a total cost of $24 million, including taxes.

    Declared Increase in Common Share Dividend

    On Feb. 19, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $0.02 annualized increase to the common share dividend, an eight per cent increase, and declared a dividend of $0.065 per common share payable on July 1, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2025. The quarterly dividend of $0.065 per common share represents an annualized dividend of $0.26 per common share.

    First Quarter 2025 Operational and Financial Highlights

      Three Months Ended
    $ millions, unless otherwise stated March 31, 2025 March 31, 2024
    Operational information    
    Availability (%) 94.9 92.3
    Production (GWh) 6,832 6,178
    Select financial information    
    Revenues 758 947
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) 270 342
    Adjusted earnings before income taxes(1) 28 144
    Earnings before income taxes 49 267
    Adjusted net earnings after taxes attributable to common shareholders(1) 30 128
    Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders 46 222
    Cash flows    
    Cash flow from operating activities 7 244
    Funds from operations(1) 179 254
    Free cash flow(1) 139 221
    Per share    
    Adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders per share(1) 0.10 0.41
    Net earnings per share attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted 0.15 0.72
    Funds from operations per share(1) 0.60 0.82
    FCF per share(1) 0.47 0.72
    Dividends declared per common share 0.07 —
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 298 308

    Segmented Financial Performance

      Three Months Ended
    		  
    $ millions  March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024  
    Hydro 47   87  
    Wind and Solar 102   89  
    Gas 104   125  
    Energy Transition 37   27  
    Energy Marketing 21   39  
    Corporate (41 ) (25 )
    Total adjusted EBITDA(1) 270   342  
    Adjusted earnings before income taxes(1) 28   144  
    Earnings before income taxes 49   267  
    Adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders(1) 30   128  
    Net earnings attributable to common shareholders 46   222  

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Results Summary

    For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company delivered strong operational performance, while financial performance was partially impacted by softer power prices in Alberta. The Company remains confident in its ability to achieve results within its previously stated guidance range. On Dec. 4, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Heartland Generation, which added 1,747 MW to gross installed capacity, excluding the Poplar Hill and Rainbow Lake facilities, (collectively, the Planned Divestitures). IFRS financial statements include the results attributable to the Planned Divestitures, which the Company agreed to divest pursuant to a consent agreement entered into with the Commissioner of Competition for Canada. Our non-IFRS measures and operational KPIs exclude the results of the Planned Divestitures.

    Availability for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was 94.9 per cent, compared to 92.3 per cent in the same period 2024, an increase of 2.6 percentage points, primarily due to:

    • The addition of new facilities, including the Heartland gas facilities in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the White Rock and Horizon Hill wind facilities in the first and second quarters of 2024, which operated at higher availability during the first quarter of 2025;
    • Lower unplanned outages at the Centralia facility in the Energy Transition segment; and
    • Lower planned major maintenance outages in the Hydro fleet.

    Total production for the three months ended March 31, 2025, increased by 654 GWh, or 11 per cent, compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to:

    • Production from the Heartland gas facilities acquired in December 2024;
    • Production from new wind and solar facilities, including the White Rock West and East wind facilities commissioned in January and April 2024, respectively, and the Horizon Hill wind facility commissioned in May 2024;
    • Improved availability at the Centralia facility due to lower unplanned outages; and
    • Higher wind resource across all regions; partially offset by
    • Higher dispatch optimization in Alberta due to lower market prices; and
    • Lower production in Australia due to lower customer demand.

    Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $270 million, compared to $342 million in the same period last year, a decrease of $72 million, or 21 per cent. The major factors impacting adjusted EBITDA include:

    • Hydro adjusted EBITDA decreasing by $40 million, or 46 per cent, compared to 2024, primarily due to lower spot power prices and ancillary services prices in the Alberta market, partially offset by higher merchant and ancillary services volumes due to higher water reserves in the first quarter of 2025 and favourable hedging positions settled, which generated positive contributions over settled spot prices in the first quarter of 2025;
    • Gas adjusted EBITDA decreasing by $21 million, or 17 per cent, compared to 2024, primarily due to higher OM&A related to the addition of the Heartland facilities, lower merchant volumes due to lower market prices driven by milder weather and new gas generation in Alberta and lower spot power prices in Alberta, partially offset by favourable hedge positions settled, and the addition of the Heartland facilities;
    • Energy Marketing adjusted EBITDA decreasing by $18 million, or 46 per cent, compared to 2024, primarily due to comparatively muted market volatility across North American natural gas and power markets and lower realized settled trades in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024;
    • Corporate adjusted EBITDA decreasing by $16 million, or 64 per cent, compared to 2024, primarily due to increased spending to support strategic growth projects and the addition of corporate costs related to the acquisition of Heartland;
    • Wind and Solar adjusted EBITDA increasing by $13 million, or 15 per cent, compared to 2024, primarily due to higher revenues from the Horizon Hill and White Rock West and East wind facilities due to full first quarter production in 2025 and higher production volumes across all regions, partially offset by lower Alberta pool prices and higher OM&A from the addition of new wind facilities; and
    • Energy Transition adjusted EBITDA increasing by $10 million, or 37 per cent, compared to 2024, primarily due to lower fuel and purchased power costs; partially offset by increased economic dispatch driven by lower market prices, which negatively impacted merchant revenues.

    Cash flow from operating activities totalled $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $244 million in the same period in 2024, a decrease of $237 million, or 97 per cent, primarily due to:

    • Unfavourable change in non-cash operating working capital balances due to lower accounts payable and accrued liabilities, higher accounts receivable, higher income taxes receivable and higher collateral provided;
    • Lower gross margin due to lower revenues, excluding the effect of unrealized losses from risk management activities, partially offset by lower fuel and purchased power;
    • Higher OM&A due to increased spending on strategic and growth initiatives, the addition of the Heartland facilities and associated corporate costs, the addition of the White Rock and Horizon Hill wind facilities in the first and second quarters of 2024 and higher spending related to the planning and design of an upgrade to our ERP system; and
    • Higher interest expense primarily due to lower capitalized interest resulting from lower construction activity in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024; partially offset by
    • Lower current income tax expense due to lower earnings before income taxes in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024.

    FCF totalled $139 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $221 million for the same period in 2024, a decrease of $82 million, or 37 per cent, primarily driven by:

    • The adjusted EBITDA items noted above;
    • Higher sustaining capital expenditures due to the receipt of a lease incentive related to the Company’s head office during the first quarter of 2024 and higher major maintenance during the first quarter of 2025 at our Canadian gas fleet, including at the gas facilities acquired from Heartland; and
    • Higher net interest expense due to lower capitalized interest resulting from lower construction activity in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024; partially offset by
    • Lower distributions paid to subsidiaries’ non-controlling interests relating to lower TA Cogen net earnings resulting from lower merchant pricing in the Alberta market;
    • Lower current income tax expense due to lower earnings before income taxes in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024; and
    • Lower provisions accrued in the current period compared to the same period in prior year resulting in higher FCF.

    Earnings before income taxes totalled $49 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $267 million in the same period in 2024, a decrease of $218 million, or 82 per cent.

    Adjusted earnings before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased by $116 million, or 81 per cent, compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to:

    • The adjusted EBITDA items noted above;
    • Higher depreciation and amortization due to the addition of the Heartland gas facilities and White Rock and Horizon Hill wind facilities; and
    • Higher interest expense due to lower capitalized interest resulting from lower construction activity in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

    Net earnings attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased to $176 million, or 79 per cent, compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to:

    • The factors causing lower adjusted earnings before income taxes noted above;
    • Higher unrealized mark-to-market losses recorded in the Wind and Solar segment primarily related to long-term wind energy sales related to the Oklahoma facilities;
    • Lower unrealized mark-to-market gains recorded in the Gas segment primarily related to lower volumes hedged in the current period;
    • Higher asset impairment charges on the Planned Divestiture assets classified as Assets Held for Sale, offset by a fair value gain on the contingent consideration payable in the first quarter of 2025 driven by updated expectations of the fair value less costs to sell on the Planned Divestitures;
    • Higher asset impairment charges due to an increase in decommissioning and restoration provisions on retired assets driven by a decrease in discount rates and revisions in estimated decommissioning costs; impairment charges related to development projects that are no longer proceeding, partially offset by an impairment reversal related to certain energy transition assets reclassified to assets held for sale; and
    • Higher spending relating to planning and design work on a planned upgrade to our ERP system; partially offset by
    • Higher unrealized mark-to-market gains recorded in the Hydro segment primarily related to the favourable changes in forward prices;
    • Lower current income tax expense due to lower earnings before income taxes in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024; and
    • Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests compared to net earnings in the same period in 2024, primarily due to lower net earnings for TA Cogen resulting from lower merchant pricing in the Alberta market.

    Optimization of the Alberta Portfolio

    For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Alberta electricity portfolio generated 3,195 GWh compared to 3,173 GWh in the same period in 2024. The production increase of 22 GWh, or one per cent, was primarily due to:

    • Higher contract production in the Gas segment due to the addition of gas facilities from the acquisition of Heartland in the fourth quarter of 2024;
    • Higher production volumes in the Wind and Solar segment due to higher wind resources in the first quarter of 2025; and
    • Higher production from the Hydro segment due to higher water resource compared to the prior year; partially offset by
    • Lower merchant production in the Gas segment due to higher dispatch optimization driven by lower market prices.

    Adjusted gross margin for the Alberta portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $162 million, compared to $223 million in the same period of 2024. The decrease of $61 million, or 27 per cent, was primarily due to

    • The impact of lower Alberta spot prices and ancillary services prices;
    • Higher fuel costs in the Gas segment due to higher natural gas prices and the addition of the Heartland facilities; and
    • An increase in the carbon price per tonne from $80 in 2024 to $95 in 2025; partially offset by
    • Higher gains realized on financial hedges settled in the period;
    • Positive contribution from the addition of the Heartland facilities in the Gas segment;
    • Lower purchased power due to lower Alberta spot prices;
    • Lower carbon compliance costs due to lower production in the Gas segment; and
    • Higher hydro ancillary services volumes due to increased demand by the AESO.

    The average spot power price per MWh for the Alberta portfolio for the three months ended was $40, compared to $99 in the same period in 2024. This was primarily due to milder weather and the addition of increased supply from new renewables and combined-cycle gas facilities into the market compared to the same period in 2024.

    Hedged volumes for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were 2,273 GWh at an average price of $71 per MWh, compared to 1,908 GWh at an average price of $88 per MWh in 2024.

    Liquidity and Financial Position

    We maintain adequate available liquidity under our committed credit facilities. As at March 31, 2025, we had access to $1.5 billion in liquidity, including $238 million in cash, which exceeds the funds required for committed growth, sustaining capital and productivity projects.

    2025 Outlook

    We remain confident in our ability to meet our 2025 Outlook.

    The following table outlines our expectations on key financial targets and related assumptions for 2025 and should be read in conjunction with the narrative discussion that follows and the Governance and Risk Management section of TransAlta’s first quarter 2025 MD&A for additional information:

    Measure 2025 Target
    Adjusted EBITDA $1,150 to $1,250 million
    FCF $450 to $550 million
    FCF per share $1.51 to $1.85
    Annual dividend per share $0.26 annualized

    The Company’s outlook for 2025 may be impacted by a number of factors as detailed below.

    Market 2025 Assumptions
    Alberta spot ($/MWh) $40 to $60
    Mid-Columbia spot (US$/MWh) US$50 to US$70
    AECO gas price ($/GJ) $1.60 to $2.10

    Alberta spot price sensitivity: a +/- $1 per MWh change in spot price is expected to have a +/-$2 million impact on adjusted EBITDA for the balance of the year.

    Other assumptions relevant to the 2025 outlook

      2025 Assumptions
    Energy Marketing gross margin $110 to $130 million
    Sustaining capital $145 to $165 million
    Current income tax expense $95 to $130 million
    Net interest expense $255 to $275 million
    Hedging assumptions Q2 2025 Q3 2025 Q4 2025 2026
    Hedged production (GWh) 1,809 2,139 1,848 6,432
    Hedge price ($/MWh) $69 $68 $71 $68
    Hedged gas volumes (GJ) 7 million 8 million 7 million 19 million
    Hedge gas prices ($/GJ) $3.25 $3.22 $3.57 $3.65

    Refer to the 2025 Outlook section in our 2024 Annual MD&A for further details relating to our Outlook and related assumptions.

    Conference call

    TransAlta will host a conference call and webcast at 9:00 a.m. MST (11:00 a.m. EST) today, May 7, 2025, to discuss our first quarter 2025 results. The call will begin with comments from John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Joel Hunter, EVP Finance and Chief Financial Officer, followed by a question-and-answer period.

    First Quarter 2025 Conference Call

    Webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wzq2tgtc

    To access the conference call via telephone, please register ahead of time using the call link here: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI863e6b314dbc4284ae19fafc47eca7ac. Once registered, participants will have the option of 1) dialing into the call from their phone (via a personalized PIN); or 2) clicking the “Call Me” option to receive an automated call directly to their phone.

    Related materials will be available on the Investor Centre section of TransAlta’s website at https://transalta.com/investors/presentations-and-events/. If you are unable to participate in the call, the replay will be accessible at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wzq2tgtc. A transcript of the broadcast will be posted on TransAlta’s website once it becomes available.

    Notes

    (1)These items (Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes, adjusted net earnings (loss) after income taxes attributable to common shareholders, funds from operations, free cash flow, adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders per share, funds from operations (FFO) per share and free cash flow (FCF) per share) are non-IFRS measures, which are not defined, have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Presenting these items from period to period provides management and investors with the ability to evaluate earnings (loss) trends more readily in comparison with prior periods’ results. Please refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures section of this earnings release for further discussion of these items, including, where applicable, reconciliations to measures calculated in accordance with IFRS.

    Accounting Changes

    The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024.

    Non-IFRS financial measures

    We use a number of financial measures to evaluate our performance and the performance of our business segments, including measures and ratios that are presented on a non-IFRS basis, as described below. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars and have been derived from our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. We believe that these non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios, read together with our IFRS amounts, provide readers with a better understanding of how management assesses results.

    Non-IFRS amounts, measures and ratios do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. They are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and should not be viewed in isolation from, as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, our IFRS results.

    We calculate adjusted measures by adjusting certain IFRS measures for certain items we believe are not reflective of our ongoing operations in the period. Except as otherwise described, these adjusted measures are calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and are adjusted for specific items in each period, unless stated otherwise.

    Adjusted EBITDA

    Each business segment assumes responsibility for its operating results measured by adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is an important metric for management that represents our core operational results.

    During the first quarter of 2025, our adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to remove the impact of realized gain (loss) on closed exchange positions, which was included in adjusted EBITDA composition until the fourth quarter of 2024. The adjustment was intended to explain a timing difference between our internally and externally reported results and was useful at a time when markets were more volatile. The impact of realized gain (loss) on closed exchange positions was removed to simplify our reporting. Accordingly, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods.

    During the first quarter of 2025, our adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to remove the impact of Australian interest income, which was included in adjusted EBITDA composition until the fourth quarter of 2024. Initially, on the commissioning of the South Hedland facility in July 2017, we prepaid approximately $74 million of electricity transmission and distribution costs. Interest income, which was recorded on the prepaid funds, was reclassified as a reduction in the transmission and distribution costs expensed each period to reflect the net cost to the business. The impact of Australian interest income was removed to simplify our reporting since the amounts were not material. Accordingly, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods.

    Interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are not included, as differences in accounting treatment may distort our core business results. In addition, certain reclassifications and adjustments are made to better assess results, excluding those items that may not be reflective of ongoing business performance. This presentation may facilitate the readers’ analysis of trends. The most directly comparable IFRS measure is earnings before income taxes.

    Adjusted Revenue

    Adjusted Revenues is Revenues (the most directly comparable IFRS measure) adjusted to exclude:

    The impact of unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses and unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses on commodity transactions.

    Certain assets that we own in Canada and Western Australia are fully contracted and recorded as finance leases under IFRS. We believe that it is more appropriate to reflect the payments we receive under the contracts as a capacity payment in our revenues instead of as finance lease income and a decrease in finance lease receivables.

    Revenues from the Planned Divestitures as they do not reflect ongoing business performance.

    Adjusted Fuel and Purchased Power

    Adjusted Fuel and Purchased Power is Fuel and Purchased Power (the most directly comparable IFRS measure) adjusted to exclude fuel and purchased power from the Planned Divestitures as it does not reflect ongoing business performance.

    Adjusted OM&A

    Adjusted OM&A is OM&A (the most directly comparable IFRS measure) adjusted to exclude:

    Acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs, mainly comprised of severance, legal and consultant fees as these do not reflect ongoing business performance.

    ERP integration costs representing planning, design and integration costs of upgrades to the existing ERP system as they represent project costs that do not occur on a regular basis, and therefore do not reflect ongoing performance.

    OM&A from the Planned Divestitures as it does not reflect ongoing business performance.

    Adjusted Earnings (Loss) before income taxes

    Adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes represents segmented earnings (loss) adjusted for certain items that we believe do not reflect ongoing business performance and is an important metric for evaluating performance trends in each segment.

    For details of the adjustments made to earnings (loss) before income taxes (the most directly comparable IFRS measure) to calculate adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes, refer to the Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures on a Consolidated Basis by Segment section of the MD&A.

    Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) attributable to common shareholders

    Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders represents net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders adjusted for specific reclassifications and adjustments and their tax impact, and is an important metric for evaluating performance. For details of the reclassifications and adjustments made to net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders (the most directly comparable IFRS measure), please refer to the reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders in the Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures on a Consolidated Basis by Segment section of the MD&A.

    Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders

    Adjusted net earning (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders is calculated as adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders divided by a weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The measure is useful in showing the earnings per common share for our core operational results as it excludes the impact of items that do not reflect an ongoing business performance. Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable per common share is a non-IFRS ratio and the most directly comparable IFRS measure is net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders. Refer to the reconciliation of earnings (loss) before income taxes to adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders in the Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures on a Consolidated Basis by Segment section of the MD&A.

    Funds From Operations (FFO)

    Represents a proxy for cash generated from operating activities before changes in working capital and provides the ability to evaluate cash flow trends in comparison with results from prior periods. FFO is calculated as cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital and is adjusted for transactions and amounts that the Company believes are not representative of ongoing cash flows from operations.

    Free Cash Flow (FCF)

    Represents the amount of cash that is available to invest in growth initiatives, make scheduled principal debt repayments, repay maturing debt, pay common share dividends or repurchase common shares and provides the ability to evaluate cash flow trends in comparison with the results from prior periods. Changes in working capital are excluded so that FFO and FCF are not distorted by changes that we consider temporary in nature, reflecting, among other things, the impact of seasonal factors and timing of receipts and payments.

    Non-IFRS Ratios

    FFO per share, FCF per share and adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS ratios that are presented in the MD&A. Refer to the Reconciliation of Cash Flow from Operations to FFO and FCF and Key Non-IFRS Financial Ratios sections of the MD&A for additional information.

    FFO per share and FCF per share

    FFO per share and FCF per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. FFO per share and FCF per share are non-IFRS ratios.

    Reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the most comparable IFRS measure are provided below.

    Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures on a Consolidated Basis by Segment

    The following table reflects adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes by segment and provides reconciliation to earnings (loss) before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

      Hydro Wind &
    Solar(1)    		 Gas Energy
    Transition    		 Energy
    Marketing    		 Corporate Total Equity-
    accounted
    investments(1)    		 Reclass
    adjustments    		 IFRS
    financials
    Revenues 86   107   390   154   27   1   765   (7 ) —   758  
    Reclassifications and adjustments:                  
    Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss (21 ) 36   (32 ) (1 ) 1   —   (17 ) —   17   —  
    Decrease in finance lease receivable —   1   7   —   —   —   8   —   (8 ) —  
    Finance lease income —   1   5   —   —   —   6   —   (6 ) —  
    Revenues from Planned Divestitures —   —   (4 ) —   —   —   (4 ) —   4   —  
    Adjusted revenue 65   145   366   153   28   1   758   (7 ) 7   758  
    Fuel and purchased power 4   10   163   98   —   2   277   —   —   277  
    Reclassifications and adjustments:                  
    Fuel and purchased power related to Planned Divestitures —   —   (2 ) —   —   —   (2 ) —   2   —  
    Adjusted fuel and purchased power 4   10   161   98   —   2   275   —   2   277  
    Carbon compliance —   1   49   —   —   (1 ) 49   —   —   49  
    Adjusted gross margin 61   134   156   55   28   —   434   (7 ) 5   432  
    OM&A 13   29   59   17   7   49   174   (1 ) —   173  
    Reclassifications and adjustments:                  
    OM&A related to Planned Divestitures —   —   (2 ) —   —   —   (2 ) —   2   —  
    ERP integration costs —   —   —   —   —   (4 ) (4 ) —   4   —  
    Acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs —   —   —   —   —   (4 ) (4 ) —   4   —  
    Adjusted OM&A 13   29   57   17   7   41   164   (1 ) 10   173  
    Taxes, other than income taxes 1   5   5   1   —   —   12   —   —   12  
    Net other operating income —   (4 ) (10 ) —   —   —   (14 ) —   —   (14 )
    Reclassifications and adjustments:                  
    Insurance recovery —   2   —   —   —   —   2   —   (2 ) —  
    Adjusted net other operating income —   (2 ) (10 ) —   —   —   (12 ) —   (2 ) (14 )
    Adjusted EBITDA(2) 47   102   104   37   21   (41 ) 270        
    Depreciation and amortization (9 ) (53 ) (64 ) (15 ) (2 ) (5 ) (148 ) 2   —   (146 )
    Equity income —   —   —   —   —   (1 ) (1 ) —   3   2  
    Interest income —   —   —   —   —   5   5   —   —   5  
    Interest expense —   —   —   —   —   (94 ) (94 ) 1   —   (93 )
    Realized foreign exchange loss —   —   —   —   —   (4 ) (4 ) —   —   (4 )
    Adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes(2) 38   49   40   22   19   (140 ) 28        
    Reclassifications and adjustments above 21   (36 ) 20   1   (1 ) (8 ) (3 )      
    Finance lease income —   1   5   —   —   —   6   —   —   6  
    Skookumchuk earnings reclass to Equity income(1) —   (3 ) —   —   —   3   —   —   —   —  
    Fair value change in contingent consideration payable —   —   34   —   —   —   34   —   —   34  
    Asset impairment (charges) reversals —   —   (34 ) 24   —   (5 ) (15 ) —   —   (15 )
    Loss on sale of assets and other —   —   —   —   —   (1 ) (1 ) —   —   (1 )
    Earnings (loss) before income taxes 59   11   65   47   18   (151 ) 49     —   49  

    (1)  The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.
    (2)  Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS. During the first quarter of 2025, our Adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to exclude the impact of realized gain (loss) on closed exchange positions. Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures and other specified financial measures section in this earnings release and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

    The following table reflects adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes by segment and provides reconciliation to earnings (loss) before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

      Hydro Wind &
    Solar(1)    		 Gas Energy
    Transition    		 Energy
    Marketing    		 Corporate Total Equity-
    accounted
    investments(1)    		 Reclass
    adjustments    		 IFRS
    financials
    Revenues 112   139   433   217   52   —   953   (6 ) —   947  
    Reclassifications and adjustments:                  
    Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss (5 ) (21 ) (91 ) (6 ) (3 ) —   (126 ) —   126   —  
    Decrease in finance lease receivable —   1   4   —   —   —   5   —   (5 ) —  
    Finance lease income —   1   1   —   —   —   2   —   (2 ) —  
    Unrealized foreign exchange gain on commodity —   —   (1 ) —   —   —   (1 ) —   1   —  
    Adjusted revenue 107   120   346   211   49   —   833   (6 ) 120   947  
    Fuel and purchased power 6   9   142   166   —   —   323   —   —   323  
    Carbon compliance —   —   40   —   —   —   40   —   —   40  
    Adjusted gross margin 101   111   164   45   49   —   470   (6 ) 120   584  
    OM&A 13   20   46   18   10   28   135   (1 ) —   134  
    Reclassifications and adjustments:                  
    Acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs —   —   —   —   —   (3 ) (3 ) —   3   —  
    Adjusted OM&A 13   20   46   18   10   25   132   (1 ) 3   134  
    Taxes, other than income taxes 1   4   3   —   —   —   8   —   —   8  
    Net other operating income —   (2 ) (10 ) —   —   —   (12 ) —   —   (12 )
    Adjusted EBITDA(2)(3) 87   89   125   27   39   (25 ) 342        
    Depreciation and amortization (7 ) (43 ) (55 ) (16 ) (1 ) (4 ) (126 ) 2   —   (124 )
    Equity income —   —   —   —   —   (2 ) (2 ) —   3   1  
    Interest income —   —   —   —   —   7   7   —   —   7  
    Interest expense —   —   —   —   —   (69 ) (69 ) —   —   (69 )
    Realized foreign exchange gain (loss)(4) —   —   —   —   —   (8 ) (8 ) —   —   (8 )
    Adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes(2) 80   46   70   11   38   (101 ) 144        
    Reclassifications and adjustments above 5   19   87   6   3   (3 ) 117        
    Finance lease income —   1   1   —   —   —   2   —   —   2  
    Skookumchuk earnings reclass to Equity income(1) —   (3 ) —   —   —   3   —   —   —   —  
    Asset impairment charges —   (4 ) —   3   —   —   (1 ) —   —   (1 )
    Gain on sale of assets and other(4) —   —   —   —   —   2   2   —   —   2  
    Unrealized foreign exchange gain(4) —   —   —   —   —   3   3   —   —   3  
    Earnings (loss) before income taxes 85   59   158   20   41   (96 ) 267   —   —   267  

    (1) The Skookumchuck wind facility has been included on a proportionate basis in the Wind and Solar segment.
    (2) Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes are non-IFRS measures, are not defined, have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
    (3) During the first quarter of 2025, our Adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to exclude the impact of realized gain (loss) on closed exchange positions and Australian interest income. During the second quarter of 2024, our Adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to exclude the impact of acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs. Therefore, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods. Refer to the Additional Non-IFRS and Supplementary Financial Measures section of the MD&A
    (4) Foreign exchange loss and other of $3 million reported in the first quarter of 2024 was broken down to conform to the current period presentation.

    Reconciliation of Earnings Before Income Taxes to Adjusted Net Earnings attributable to common shareholders

    The following table reflects reconciliation of earnings before income taxes to adjusted earnings attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024:

      Three months ended March 31
    		  
      2025   2024  
    Earnings before income taxes 49   267  
    Income tax expense 7   29  
    Net earnings 42   238  
    Net (loss) earnings attributable to non-controlling interests (4 ) 16  
    Net earnings attributable to common shareholders 46   222  
    Adjustments and reclassifications (pre-tax):    
    Adjustments and reclassifications to Revenues (7 ) (120 )
    Adjustments and reclassifications to Fuel and purchased power 2   —  
    Adjustments and reclassifications to OM&A 10   3  
    Adjustments and reclassifications to Net other operating expense (income) (2 ) —  
    Fair value change in contingent consideration payable (gain) (34 ) —  
    Finance lease income (6 ) (2 )
    Asset impairment charges 15   1  
    Loss (gain) on sale of assets and other 1   (2 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) —   (3 )
    Calculated tax recovery on adjustments and reclassifications(1) 5   29  
    Adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders(2) 30   128  
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period 298   308  
    Net income per common share attributable to common shareholders 0.15   0.72  
    Adjustments and reclassifications (net of tax) (0.05 ) (0.31 )
    Adjusted net earnings per common share attributable to common shareholders(2) 0.10   0.41  

    (1) Represents a theoretical tax calculated by applying the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate of 23.3 per cent for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (March 31, 2024 — 23.3 per cent). The amount does not take into account the impact of different tax jurisdictions the Company’s operations are domiciled and does not include the impact of deferred taxes.
    (2) Adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders and Adjusted net earnings per common share attributable to common shareholders are non-IFRS measures, are not defined, have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The most directly comparable IFRS measures are net earnings attributable to common shareholders and net earnings per share attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted. Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures and other specified financial measures section in this earnings release and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

    Reconciliation of cash flow from operations to FFO and FCF

    The table below reconciles our cash flow from operating activities to our FFO and FCF:

      Three months ended March 31
    		  
      2025     2024  
    Cash flow from operating activities(1) 7     244  
    Change in non-cash operating working capital balances 117     (7 )
    Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital 124     237  
    Adjustments      
    Share of adjusted FFO from joint venture(1) 2     2  
    Decrease in finance lease receivable 8     5  
    Brazeau penalties payment 33     —  
    Acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs 6     3  
    Other(2) 6     7  
    FFO(3) 179     254  
    Deduct:      
    Sustaining capital(1) (23 )   1  
    Dividends paid on preferred shares (13 )   (13 )
    Distributions paid to subsidiaries’ non-controlling interests —     (19 )
    Principal payments on lease liabilities (1 )   (1 )
    Other (3 )   (1 )
    FCF(3) 139     221  
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period 298     308  
    FFO per share(3) 0.60     0.82  
    FCF per share(3) 0.47     0.72  

    (1) Includes our share of amounts for the Skookumchuck wind facility, an equity-accounted joint venture.
    (2) Other consists of production tax credits, which is a reduction to tax equity debt, less distributions from an equity-accounted joint venture.
    (3) These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. During the first quarter of 2025, our Adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to exclude the impact of realized gain (loss) on closed exchange positions and Australian interest income. During the second quarter of 2024, our Adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to exclude the impact of acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs. Therefore, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods. Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures and other specified financial measures section in this earnings release and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

    The table below provides a reconciliation of our adjusted EBITDA to our FFO and FCF:

      Three Months Ended March 31
    $ millions, unless otherwise stated March 31, 2025   2024  
    Adjusted EBITDA(1)(4) 270   342  
    Provisions 8   —  
    Net interest expense(2) (72 ) (48 )
    Current income tax recovery (expense) (13 ) (27 )
    Realized foreign exchange gain (loss) (2 ) (8 )
    Decommissioning and restoration costs settled (9 ) (7 )
    Other non-cash items (3 ) 2  
    FFO(3)(4) 179   254  
    Deduct:    
    Sustaining capital(4) (23 ) 1  
    Dividends paid on preferred shares (13 ) (13 )
    Distributions paid to subsidiaries’ non-controlling interests —   (19 )
    Principal payments on lease liabilities (1 ) (1 )
    Other (3 ) (1 )
    FCF(3)(4) 139   221  

    (1) Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the Additional IFRS Measures and Non-IFRS Measures of this earnings release and reconciled to earnings (loss) before income taxes above. During the first quarter of 2025, our Adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to exclude the impact of realized gain (loss) on closed exchange positions and Australian interest income. During the second quarter of 2024, our Adjusted EBITDA composition was amended to exclude the impact of acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs. Therefore, the Company has applied this composition to all previously reported periods.
    (2) Net interest expense is a non-IFRS measure, is not defined and has no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Refer to the table below for detailed calculation.
    (3) These items are not defined and have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. FFO and FCF are defined in the Non-IFRS financial measures and other specified financial measures section of in this earnings release and reconciled to cash flow from operating activities above.
    (4) Includes our share of amounts for Skookumchuck wind facility, an equity-accounted joint venture.

    TransAlta is in the process of filing its unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, as well as the associated Management’s Discussion & Analysis (MD&A). These documents will be available today on the Investors section of TransAlta’s website at www.transalta.com or through SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

    About TransAlta Corporation:

    TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with affordable, energy efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada’s largest producers of wind power and Alberta’s largest producer of thermal generation and hydro-electric power. For over 114 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Future-Fit Business Benchmark, which also defines sustainable goals for businesses. Our reporting on climate change management has been guided by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 Climate-related Disclosures Standard and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 70 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 22.7 million tonnes CO2e since 2015 and received an upgraded MSCI ESG rating of AA.

    For more information about TransAlta, visit our web site at transalta.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release includes “forward-looking information,” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, and “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are not facts, but only predictions and generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “may”, “will”, “can”, “could”, “would”, “shall”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “foresee”, “potential”, “enable”, “continue” or other comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance, events or results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual performance, events or results to be materially different from those set out in or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements about the following, among other things: the strategic objectives of the Company and that the execution of the Company’s strategy will realize value for shareholders; our capital allocation and financing strategy; our sustainability goals and targets, including those in our 2024 Sustainability Report; our 2025 Outlook; our financial and operational performance, including our hedge position; optimizing and diversifying our existing assets; the increasingly contracted nature of our fleet; expectations about strategies for growth and expansion, including expected outcomes related to our investment in Nova Clean Energy, opportunities for Centralia redevelopment, and data centre opportunities; expected costs and schedules for planned projects; expected regulatory processes and outcomes, including in relation to the Alberta restructured energy market; the power generation industry and the supply and demand of electricity; the cyclicality of our business; expected outcomes with respect to legal proceedings; the expected impact of future tax and accounting changes; and expected industry, market and economic conditions.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on many assumptions including, but not limited to, the following: no significant changes to applicable laws and regulations; no unexpected delays in obtaining required regulatory approvals; no material adverse impacts to investment and credit markets; no significant changes to power price and hedging assumptions; no significant changes to gas commodity price assumptions and transport costs; no significant changes to interest rates; no significant changes to the demand and growth of renewables generation; no significant changes to the integrity and reliability of our facilities; no significant changes to the Company’s debt and credit ratings; no unforeseen changes to economic and market conditions; and no significant event occurring outside the ordinary course of business.

    These assumptions are based on information currently available to TransAlta, including information obtained from third-party sources. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted. Factors that may adversely impact what is expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in power prices; changes in supply and demand for electricity; our ability to contract our electricity generation for prices that will provide expected returns; our ability to replace contracts as they expire; risks associated with development projects and acquisitions; any difficulty raising needed capital in the future on reasonable terms or at all; our ability to achieve our targets relating to ESG; long-term commitments on gas transportation capacity that may not be fully utilized over time; changes to the legislative, regulatory and political environments; environmental requirements and changes in, or liabilities under, these requirements; operational risks involving our facilities, including unplanned outages and equipment failure; disruptions in the transmission and distribution of electricity; reductions in production; impairments and/or writedowns of assets; adverse impacts on our information technology systems and our internal control systems, including increased cybersecurity threats; commodity risk management and energy trading risks; reduced labour availability and ability to continue to staff our operations and facilities; disruptions to our supply chains; climate-change related risks; reductions to our generating units’ relative efficiency or capacity factors; general economic risks, including deterioration of equity and debt markets, increasing interest rates or rising inflation; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including potential trade tariffs; industry risk and competition; counterparty credit risk; inadequacy or unavailability of insurance coverage; increases in the Company’s income taxes and any risk of reassessments; legal, regulatory and contractual disputes and proceedings involving the Company; reliance on key personnel; and labour relations matters.

    The foregoing risk factors, among others, are described in further detail under the heading “Governance and Risk Management” in the MD&A, which section is incorporated by reference herein.

    Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully when evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date hereof and we do not undertake to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. The purpose of the financial outlooks contained herein is to give the reader information about management’s current expectations and plans and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

    Note: All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

    For more information:

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet approves Revised SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) Policy for Coal Allocation to Power Sector

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 MAY 2025 12:07PM by PIB Delhi

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved grant of fresh coal linkages to Thermal Power Plants of Central Sector/State Sector/ Independent Power Producers (IPPs).  Following two windows have been proposed under the Revised SHAKTI policy:

    1. Coal Linkage to Central Gencos/States at Notified price: Window–I
    2. Coal Linkage to all Gencos at a Premium above Notified price: Window–II

    Window-I (coal at notified price):

    1. Existing mechanism for grant of coal linkage to Central Sector Thermal Power Projects (TPPs) including Joint Ventures (JVs) & their subsidiary to continue.
    2. Coal linkages to be earmarked to States and to an agency authorized by group of States as per existing mechanism, on the recommendation of Ministry of Power. Coal linkage earmarked to States may be utilized by States in its own Genco, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to be identified through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) or existing IPPs having Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under Section 62 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for setting up of a new expansion unit having PPA under Section 62.

    Window-II (premium over notified price):

    Any domestic coal-based power producer having PPA or untied and also Imported coal-based power plants (if they so require) can secure coal on auction basis for a period upto 12 months or for the period of more than 12 months upto 25 years by paying premium above the notified price and providing the power plants the flexibility to sell the electricity as per their choice.

    Implementation strategy:

    Directions would be issued to Coal India Limited (CIL)/ Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) for implementation of the aforesaid decisions. Besides, the concerned Ministries and all the States shall also be apprised of the revised SHAKTI Policy for further dissemination to the concerned Departments / Authorities and also to the Regulatory Commissions.

    Major impact, including employment generation potential:

    1. Simplification of the linkage process: With the introduction of Revised SHAKTI Policy, existing eight paras, for coal allocation, have been mapped to only two Windows, in the spirit of ease of doing Business. Window-I (coal linkage at notified price) and Window-II (coal linkage at premium above notified price).
    2. Caters to the dynamic coal requirement of the Power Sector: Revised SHAKTI Policy shall enable the Power Plants to plan for meeting their coal requirement depending upon their demand for Long-Term / Short – Term.
    3. Central Sector Thermal Power Projects (TPPs) shall continue to get coal linkage on nomination basis on the recommendation of Ministry of Power, whereas, the linkages earmarked to the States on nomination basis on the recommendation of Ministry of Power may be utilized by the States in the State Generating Company.
    4. No requirement of PPA in Window-II: Requirement of PPA has been entirely done away for selling the electricity generated through the coal secured under Window-II, thereby providing the power plants the flexibility to sell the electricity as per their choice.
    5. Enabling Independent Power Producers (IPPs)/Private Developers for thermal capacity addition:  Allowing flexible linkage for new capacity addition with or without PPA with a tenure ranging from 12 months to 25 years will encourage IPPs to plan new thermal capacities, which will help in achieving the future thermal capacity addition.
    6. Promote Coal Import Reduction/Substitution: Imported Coal Based (ICB) plants can secure domestic coal under Window-II, subject to the technical constraints of ICB plants, thereby reducing their import coal dependency.  The benefits accrued, on account of import coal substitution, would be determined by Appropriate Regulatory Commission and passed on to the electricity consumers/beneficiaries.
    • vii. Preference to ‘Pithead’ power plants: The revised SHAKTI Policy, besides supporting Brownfield expansion, will promote setting up of Greenfield Thermal Power Projects primarily at pithead sites i.e. nearer to the coal source.
    1. Linkage Rationalization: With an aim to reduce the ‘landed cost’ of coal at thermal power plant end, coal source rationalization will be done. This will not only ease up railway infrastructure but would also ultimately result in reduced tariff for electricity consumers.
    2. Delegation of power: – The revised SHAKTI Policy provides for delegation of powers for enabling minor changes, in the policy, at the level of concerned Ministries (MoC and MoP). Further, for dealing with operational/implementation issues, an “Empowered Committee” comprising of Secretary (Power), Secretary (Coal) and Chairperson, CEA is proposed.
    3. Flexibility to Existing FSA holders: Participation of existing Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) holders beyond 100 % of their Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ) of coal under Window-II will benefit power producers. Upon expiry of coal linkages secured under old policies, power producers [Central Gencos, State Gencos and Independent Power Producers (IPPs)] may apply under the present proposed revised policy, as applicable, to secure fresh linkages.
    4. Allowing Un-requisitioned Surplus in Power Markets: This will enable sale of power generated through linkage coal in power markets. This will not only deepen power markets by increasing availability of power in power exchanges but will also ensure optimum utilization of generating stations.

    Expenditure involved:

    Revised SHAKTI Policy would not involve any additional cost to the coal companies.

    No. of beneficiaries:

    Thermal Power Plants, Railways, Coal India Limited / Singareni Collieries Company Limited, End Consumers and State Governments would be benefitted.

    Background:

    With the introduction of SHAKTI Policy, 2017, there was a paradigm shift of coal allocation mechanism from a nomination-based regime to a more transparent way of allocation of coal linkages through an auction / tariff-based bidding. Nomination based allocation continued only for the Central / State Sector power plants. SHAKTI Policy has been amended in 2019 on the recommendations of Group of Ministers. SHAKTI Policy was further amended in 2023. SHAKTI Policy has various Paras for allocation of a coal linkage to the various categories of Power Plants, subject to meeting the eligibility  criteria. With the introduction of Revised SHAKTI Policy, existing eight Paras of the SHAKTI Policy, for coal allocation, have been mapped to only two Windows, in the spirit of ease of doing Business.

    *****

    MJPS/SKS

    (Release ID: 2127408) Visitor Counter : 390

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025: Namibia’s Petroleum Commissioner to Highlight Energy Investment Potential

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    PARIS, France, May 7, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy Petroleum Commissioner, Maggy Shino, will speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 forum in Paris, offering insights into the country’s rapidly evolving hydrocarbon sector and the broader opportunities it presents for upstream investment and partnerships.

    Namibia has solidified its status as a premier frontier market, with a string of high-impact discoveries in the Orange Basin driving global investor interest. Galp’s Mopane series of light oil finds – estimated to hold at least 10 billion barrels – alongside TotalEnergies’ Venus and Shell’s Graff discoveries, have positioned the basin among the most prospective in the world. Rhino Resources announced a discovery with its Capricornus-1X well in April 2025, following confirmation of a hydrocarbon reservoir with the Sagittarius-1X well in February. First oil from the Venus field – estimated to hold over five billion barrels of in-place resources – is targeted by 2030, with efforts underway to accelerate the development timeline.

    IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4k8B5a6) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    Beyond the Orange Basin, Commissioner Shino will spotlight exploration activity in other emerging basins, including Chevron’s acquisition of an 80% operating stake in Blocks 2112B and 2212A in the Walvis Basin, underpinned by extensive seismic coverage. In the onshore Kavango Basin, ReconAfrica is advancing its 2024 drilling campaign targeting an estimated 3.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the Damara Fold Belt, with preparations currently underway to spud a second exploration well. Namibia’s recently implemented open-door licensing system further enhances the investment climate, offering streamlined access to upstream opportunities and flexible entry points for new and existing players.

    “Namibia continues to command international attention as a frontier leader in upstream development. Commissioner Shino’s insights into new licensing, acreage availability and basin activity at IAE 2025 offer investors a rare opportunity to engage directly with the driving force behind Namibia’s energy boom,” says Sandra Jeque, Event & Project Director, Energy Capital & Power.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: ProLogium Collaborates with Kyushu Electric on Next-Gen Batteries for Heavy Machinery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ProLogium Technology, the global leader in LCB-based next-generation battery innovation, today announced a strategic partnership with Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power. Together, the two companies will co-develop a 24V LCB (Lithium Ceramic Battery) module tailored for construction machinery applications, with plans to jointly unveil the technology at CES 2026.

    This collaboration marks another significant milestone in ProLogium’s global new energy strategy, showcasing its technological prowess and growing market influence. Looking ahead, the two parties will continue deepening their cooperation—expanding the deployment of clean energy solutions not only in construction but also across broader energy sectors, paving the way for a more sustainable industrial future.

    Synergy-Driven Innovation for Heavy Machinery

    This partnership combines ProLogium’s cutting-edge battery technology with Kyushu Electric Power’s expertise in module design and end-user integration. The result: a high-performance, durable, and versatile energy solution tailored to the demanding operational needs of construction machinery. ProLogium will supply its industry-leading lithium ceramic batteries, while Kyushu Electric Power will take the lead in developing the 24V modules and integrating them into heavy equipment for end users.

    Compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, ProLogium’s LCB modules offer several compelling advantages:

    • Enhanced Safety: ProLogium’s next-generation battery utilizes a fully inorganic electrolyte and highly stable cathode and anode materials, effectively minimizing risks of thermal runaway and fire. It is equipped with an Active Safety Mechanism (ASM) that automatically activates under high-temperature conditions, significantly improving safety performance in demanding operational environments.
    • High Energy Density: Without compromising safety, ProLogium employs high-activity materials such as a 100% silicon composite anode to substantially boost energy density. This allows for a more compact and lightweight battery pack while delivering outstanding range and power performance—ideal for heavy machinery where both performance and space efficiency are critical.
    • Outstanding Low-Temperature Performance: Engineered to operate reliably in extreme cold, the battery ensures stable operation and sustained power output, supporting heavy machinery in prolonged, high-intensity tasks under low-temperature conditions.
    • Fast Charging × Durability for Optimized Operational Efficiency: With outstanding fast-charging capability, ProLogium batteries significantly reduce charging time, lowering equipment downtime and replacement frequency. This not only eases the burden of procuring backup vehicles but also enhances operational continuity. Coupled with long service life and high performance, the solution offers greater stability, reduced maintenance costs, and improved overall operational efficiency.

    The collaboration will make its first public appearance at CES 2026, where the companies will jointly showcase their technical achievements and engage with potential partners.

    Advancing Low-Carbon Transformation in the Heavy Industry Sector

    Beyond improving operational efficiency, the partnership aims to promote greener, more resource-efficient industrial practices. By cutting carbon emissions, reducing pollution, and increasing energy utilization, ProLogium and Kyushu Electric Power aspire to offer sustainable battery solutions for the future. ProLogium’s next-gen LCBs maintain stable performance under harsh environmental conditions—maximizing energy efficiency.

    The collaboration aligns with global trends toward carbon neutrality and green technology, leading the construction machinery industry toward a cleaner, low-carbon future. With its high safety standards, energy density, fast-charging capability, and excellent low-temperature discharge performance, ProLogium’s lithium ceramic battery is not only ideal for electric vehicles but also well-suited for heavy-duty applications and beyond.

    Vincent Yang, founder and chairman of ProLogium stated:

    “As the world accelerates its shift toward sustainability, electrification in construction and heavy industries is both urgent and inevitable. We are honored to partner with Kyushu Electric Power to bring our next-generation LCB technology into the heavy machinery sector, elevating energy efficiency, safety, and endurance.

    Together, we are committed to advancing green energy transformation and building a low-carbon, sustainable future. This partnership enables us to deliver longer-range energy solutions for heavy-duty operations, enhance productivity with fast-charging capabilities, and ensure stable battery performance in extreme cold—all contributing to the electrification of heavy industry and a cleaner future for global infrastructure.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Cheap overseas, ruinous in Australia: here’s how to make double-glazed windows the norm

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Trivess Moore, Associate Professor in Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University

    New Africa/Shutterstock

    In Europe, double-glazed windows are standard. But in Australia, these energy-saving windows are remarkably uncommon.

    Correctly installed, the effect of double-glazing is remarkable. Instead of a house losing or gaining huge amounts of heat through its windows, double-glazed windows help keep the indoor temperature at a consistent temperature – reducing the need to crank up the air-con or heater.

    In hot parts of Australia, these windows would keep out heat. In cold, they would keep heat in. They also slash outside noise. Houses with double-glazing can add resale value and even improve occupant health.

    Why are they not standard? There are several reasons. But our research in Victoria found the main one is cost – double-glazing costs much more than a standard single-glazed window.

    Heat loss and gain through windows is responsible for about 1.5% of Australia’s total energy use. As climate change intensifies, making double-glazing standard in Australia would cut household energy bills and make life indoors more pleasant. Other countries are moving to even higher performance triple-glazed windows. But Australia is stuck.

    Why does double glazing work so well?

    Windows let light and often air into a home. But they can also be the main way heat enters or leaves. Double-glazing works by adding a gap between two panes, often filled with dense argon gas, which doesn’t transfer heat well. The window frame material is important, too, to reduce heat transfer.

    We measure the insulating quality of a window with a U-value – essentially, how much heat can be transferred through the glass. The lower this value, the more insulating the window.

    A basic single-glazed window has a U-value of about 6. On a typical Australian home, these windows mean significant air conditioning is often required to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors during summer and winter.

    Double-glazed windows with advanced design features common in North America and Europe typically have a U-value of 2.4 or less. When combined with wall and roof insulation, they can significantly reduce the need for heating or cooling. Triple-glazed are better still, with a U-value of 0.8 or less.

    Many countries with snowy winters have taken to double-glazed windows as a way to reduce heating costs.
    brizmaker/Shutterstock

    Standard overseas, rare in Australia

    In the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and much of Europe, double-glazed windows have been the norm for several decades. Commonly, these windows use argon gas between the two sheets and improve insulation further with low emittance coatings, thin transparent layers of metal which block solar rays.

    In many of these countries, single-glazed windows have largely disappeared and retrofitting older houses with double-glazing is routine.

    Anyone embarking on a renovation in Australia will soon discover double-glazing tends to be seen as a specialist eco-retrofit measure rather than something done as standard.

    In 2016, only 6% of windows installed in new houses in Australia had U-values below 4. In 2024, that figure was 19%, indicating high performance windows are slowly becoming more common. But there’s still much to do to make them the norm.

    Why is progress slow? We spoke to stakeholders in window manufacturing and building in Australia.

    These industry experts explained why Australia is lagging:

    • historically low-cost energy means the typical response to heat or cold is to install air conditioning

    • single-glazed windows have long been the norm

    • Australians often haven’t heard of high-performance windows or understand why they matter

    • only a few companies make these windows in Australia, meaning competition is limited and costs remain high

    • at present, there’s no requirement to include double-glazed windows in new builds or renovations

    • housing affordability issues mean owners want to keep upfront construction costs as low as possible.

    Window manufacturers in Australia are interested in moving into double-glazing, but the demand isn’t there yet.
    Anatoliy Cherkas/Shutterstock

    What should be done?

    In our research, many windows industry insiders told us they were ready to scale up production of higher performance windows. The skills and technologies needed are here. What’s missing was the demand.

    When we interviewed builders, they told us the choice of windows wasn’t simple. They had to weigh up material costs, existing supplier relationships and industry practices. Some told us it was cheaper at times to import from Europe or Asia than to buy Australian-made.

    In part, this is a chicken and egg problem. Prices are high because there’s little demand and demand is limited because prices are high.

    So what should be done?

    Overseas experience has shown boosting demand is the key. If double-glazed windows become more common, more manufacturers will enter the Australian market and prices will drop.

    The quickest way to do this would be to require their use in new construction and renovation.

    At first, the industry might struggle to meet this demand. But that would create clear incentives for new players here or overseas to meet the demand.

    Government support could help window manufacturers upgrade machinery and processes to be able to meet new demand.

    Subsidies could help offset the costs to households, if designed to sunset after a set period. Any subsidies should target groups such as vulnerable older Australians affected by energy poverty as well as renters on low incomes.

    Making this a reality is doable. After all, New Zealand did exactly this. In 2007, policymakers introduced new minimum performance requirements for windows. It took about four years to shift the market from single-glazed to predominantly double-glazed. Australia could do the same.

    Trivess Moore has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian government and various industry partners. He is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network.

    Lisa de Kleyn received funding from Sustainability Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000, for a short-term research project on the high performance window industry in 2023.

    Ralph Horne has received funding from various sources including the Australian Research Council, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and the Victorian government to support research related to this topic.

    Tom Simko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Cheap overseas, ruinous in Australia: here’s how to make double-glazed windows the norm – https://theconversation.com/cheap-overseas-ruinous-in-australia-heres-how-to-make-double-glazed-windows-the-norm-250280

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: W&T Offshore Announces First Quarter 2025 Results and Declares Dividend for Second Quarter of 2025

    Source: W & T Offshore Inc

    Headline: W&T Offshore Announces First Quarter 2025 Results and Declares Dividend for Second Quarter of 2025

    HOUSTON, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) (“W&T,” the “Company,” “we” or “us”) today reported operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2025 and declared a second quarter 2025 dividend of $0.01 per share.

    This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted Net Loss, Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and Net Debt, which are described and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measures in the accompanying tables to this press release under “Non-GAAP Information.”

    Key highlights for the first quarter of 2025 and through the date of this press release include:

    • Produced 30.5 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (“MBoe/d”) (52% liquids), towards the high end of guidance;
      • Announced that the West Delta 73 and Main Pass 108/98 fields were placed into production towards the end of March/early April with production expected to ramp up over the course of the second quarter of 2025;
    • Incurred lease operating expenses (“LOE”) of $71.0 million, below the low end of guidance;
    • Reported net loss of $30.6 million, or $(0.21) per diluted share;
      • Adjusted Net Loss totaled $19.1 million, or $(0.13) per diluted share, which primarily excludes the loss on extinguishment of debt and net unrealized gain on outstanding derivative contracts and the related tax effects;
    • Generated Adjusted EBITDA of $32.2 million, an increase of 2% over the fourth quarter of 2024;
    • Produced Free Cash Flow of $10.5 million;
    • Successfully refinanced, in January 2025, the Company’s $275.0 million 11.75% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2026 (the “11.75% Notes”) and $114.2 million outstanding amount under the term loan provided by Munich Re Risk Financing, Inc., as lender (the “MRE Term Loan”) with proceeds from the issuance of $350.0 million of 10.75% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2029 (the “10.75% Notes”) and available cash on hand;
      • Paid down and effectively reduced gross debt by approximately $39.0 million;
      • Enhanced liquidity by eliminating principal payments under the MRE Term Loan of $27.6 million in 2025, $25.4 million in 2026, $22.9 million in 2027 and $38.3 million in 2028;
      • Lowered interest rate on the Senior Second Lien Notes by 100 basis points;
    • Entered into a new $50.0 million revolving credit facility which matures in July 2028, and is undrawn, and the previous credit facility provided by Calculus Lending, LLC was concurrently terminated, with all outstanding obligations paid in full in connection with the termination;
    • Sold a non-core interest in Garden Banks Blocks 385 and 386 in January 2025, which included latest net production of approximately 195 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“Boe/d”) (72% oil) for $11.9 million, or over $60,000 per flowing barrel, after customary closing adjustments;
    • Received $58.5 million in cash for an insurance settlement related to the Mobile Bay 78-1 well, which further bolstered W&T’s balance sheet;
    • Reported unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $105.9 million and Net Debt of $244.1 million at March 31, 2025;
    • Added natural gas costless collar hedges for 2025 including:
      • 50,000 million British Thermal Units per day (“MMBtu/d”) for March 2025, with a floor price of $3.88 per MMBtu and ceiling price of $5.13 per MMBtu;
      • 70,000 MMBtu/d for April to December 2025, with a volume-weighted average floor price and ceiling price of $4.02 per MMBtu and $5.32 per MMBtu, respectively;
    • Paid sixth consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.01 per common share in March 2025; and
      • Declared second quarter 2025 dividend of $0.01 per share, which will be payable on May 27, 2025 to stockholders of record on May 20, 2025.

    Tracy W. Krohn, W&T’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We continue to successfully execute our strategic vision and have delivered another quarter of strong results in line with or above our guidance. We reported production at the high end of our guidance range and, more importantly, we have brought online the remaining two fields from the Cox acquisition, which we expect will meaningfully increase production for the remainder of 2025, as you can see from our second quarter and full year guidance. Acquisitions remain a key component of our success, and it is our ability to integrate and enhance the assets that we acquire that has allowed us to successfully operate for over 40 years. We generated solid Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA and we recorded lease operating expenses below the low end of our guidance. We will continue to focus on increasing our production, particularly our oil production, and managing our operating costs.”

    “Our balance sheet was strengthened in the first quarter of 2025 due to several key accomplishments. We successfully closed the issuance of new 10.75% Notes, entered into a new revolving credit facility and added material cash through a non-core disposition and an insurance settlement. The new 10.75% Notes have an interest rate 100 basis points lower than our 11.75% Notes and received improved credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s. We also received a $58.5 million cash insurance settlement payment related to a well impairment event. Finally, we sold a non-core interest in Garden Banks 385 and 386 for $11.9 million, after customary closing adjustments, at a value of over $60,000 per flowing barrel, which is highly accretive to W&T. We have over $100 million in cash on our balance sheet and remain prepared to take advantage of potential acquisitions. With the change in administration and the White House’s directives to Unleash American Energy, we also see promising developments in the regulatory environment for oil and gas companies. We are well positioned to continue to enhance our portfolio through additional accretive acquisition opportunities and are committed to enhancing shareholder value while returning value to our shareholders through the quarterly dividend program.”

    Production, Prices and Revenue: Production for the first quarter of 2025 was 30.5 MBoe/d, towards the high end of the Company’s first quarter guidance but down compared with 32.1 MBoe/d for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 35.1 MBoe/d for the corresponding period in 2024. The first quarter 2025 production decrease was due to freezing conditions that caused shut-ins during January 2025; however production has since recovered. First quarter 2025 production was comprised of 13.7 thousand barrels per day (“MBbl/d”) of oil (45%), 2.2 MBbl/d of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) (7%), and 87.6 million cubic feet per day (“MMcf/d”) of natural gas (48%).

    W&T’s average realized price per Boe before realized derivative settlements was $46.50 per Boe in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 17% from $39.86 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024 and an increase of 9% from $42.55 per Boe in the first quarter of 2024. First quarter 2025 oil, NGL and natural gas prices before realized derivative settlements were $71.31 per barrel of oil, $23.86 per barrel of NGL and $4.45 per Mcf of natural gas.

    Revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were $129.9 million, which was 8% higher than fourth quarter of 2024 revenues of $120.3 million due to higher realized prices, which was partially offset by lower production volumes. First quarter 2025 revenues were lower by 8% compared to $140.8 million of revenues in the first quarter of 2024 due to lower production volumes, partially offset by higher realized natural gas and NGL prices.

    Lease Operating Expenses: LOE, which includes base lease operating expenses, insurance premiums, workovers and facilities maintenance expenses, was $71.0 million in the first quarter of 2025, which was below the low end of the guidance range of $72.5 to $80.5 million. LOE came in lower than expected due to a combination of lower repair and maintenance costs, lower facility expenses and lower workover expense. LOE for the first quarter of 2025 was approximately 11% higher compared to $64.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Lower LOE in the fourth quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by favorable audit adjustments and lower maintenance and repair work performed. LOE for the first quarter of 2025 was slightly higher than the $70.8 million for the corresponding period in 2024. On a component basis for the first quarter of 2025, base LOE and insurance premiums were $57.6 million, workovers were $2.0 million, and facilities maintenance and other expenses were $11.4 million. On a unit of production basis, LOE was $25.88 per Boe in the first quarter of 2025. This compares to $21.76 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $22.14 per Boe for the corresponding period in 2024, reflecting a decrease in production in the period due to freezing conditions in January 2025.

    Gathering, Transportation Costs and Production Taxes: Gathering, transportation costs and production taxes totaled $5.7 million ($2.06 per Boe) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $5.9 million ($2.00 per Boe) in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $7.5 million ($2.36 per Boe) in the first quarter of 2024. Gathering, transportation costs and production taxes decreased in the first quarter of 2025 from the prior quarters due to lower production volumes.

    Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (“DD&A”): DD&A was $11.99 per Boe in the first quarter of 2025. This compares to $12.94 per Boe and $10.61 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2024, respectively.

    Asset Retirement Obligations Accretion: Asset retirement obligations accretion was $3.06 per Boe in the first quarter of 2025. This compares to $2.76 per Boe and $2.49 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2024, respectively.

    General & Administrative Expenses (“G&A”): G&A was $20.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, which decreased from $20.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $20.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to decreases of share-based compensation and employee benefit costs partially offset by an increase in legal fees due to ongoing sureties litigation. On a unit of production basis, G&A was $7.35 per Boe in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $7.04 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $6.41 per Boe in the corresponding period of 2024. These increases, on a per Boe basis, are related to lower production, as the absolute G&A costs were lower.

    Derivative Loss (Gain), net: In the first quarter of 2025, W&T recorded a net loss of $2.7 million with commodity derivative contracts comprised of $3.6 million of realized losses and $0.9 million of unrealized gains related to the increase in fair value of open contracts. W&T recognized a net loss of $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and a net gain of $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2024 related to commodity derivative activities.

    To take advantage of the recent uptick in natural gas prices, W&T added costless collar hedges for March 2025 of 50,000 MMBtu/d with a floor price of $3.88 per MMBtu and ceiling price of $5.13 per MMBtu. For April to December 2025, the Company added similar costless collar hedges of 70,000 MMBtu/d with a volume-weighted average floor price and ceiling price of $4.02 per MMBtu and $5.32 per MMBtu, respectively.

    A summary of the Company’s outstanding derivative positions is provided in the investor presentation posted on W&T’s website.

    Interest Expense: Net interest expense in the first quarter of 2025 was $9.5 million compared to $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $10.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. These decreases reflect the impact of the Company’s debt refinancing in January 2025, which lowered overall debt by around $39 million and reduced the Senior Second Lien Notes’ coupon rate by 100 basis points.

    Income Tax (Benefit) Expense: W&T recognized an income tax benefit of $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2025. This compares to the recognition of an income tax benefit of $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and an income tax expense of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2024.

    Capital Expenditures and Asset Retirement Settlements: Capital expenditures on an accrual basis in the first quarter of 2025 were $8.5 million, and asset retirement settlement costs totaled $3.8 million. The Company continues to expect its full year capital expenditure budget to be between $34 million and $42 million, which excludes potential acquisition opportunities.

    Balance Sheet and Liquidity: As of March 31, 2025, W&T had available liquidity of $155.9 million comprised of $105.9 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $50.0 million of borrowing availability under W&T’s new revolving credit facility. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had total debt of $350.0 million and Net Debt of $244.1 million. As of March 31, 2025, Net Debt to trailing twelve months (“TTM”) Adjusted EBITDA was 1.8x.

    Debt Refinance: On January 28, 2025 W&T closed an offering of the 10.75% Notes at par in a private offering that was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the 10.75% Notes offering, along with cash on hand to (i) purchase for cash pursuant to a tender offer, such of the Company’s outstanding 11.75% Notes that were validly tendered pursuant to the terms thereof; (ii) repay $114.2 million outstanding under the MRE Term Loan; (iii) fund the full redemption amount for an August 1, 2025 redemption of the remaining 11.75% Notes not validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the tender offer; and (iv) pay premiums, fees and expenses related to these transactions. On the closing date of the offering of the 10.75% Notes, the Company completed all actions necessary to satisfy and discharge the indenture governing the 11.75% Notes.

    In conjunction with the issuance of the 10.75% Notes, the Company entered into a new credit agreement which provides the Company with a revolving credit and letter of credit facility, with initial lending commitments of $50 million and with a letter of credit sublimit of $10 million. The credit facility matures on July 28, 2028.

    Concurrently with the debt refinance, W&T recorded a $15.0 million loss on the extinguishment of debt in the first quarter of 2025.

    Non-Core Asset Disposition

    In early 2025, W&T closed the sale of a non-core interest in Garden Banks Blocks 385 and 386, which included net production of approximately 195 Boe/d, for $11.9 million after normal purchase price adjustments. The effective date of the sale was December 1, 2024, and the transaction closed in January 2025. The impact to W&T’s reserves for year-end 2024 were minimal at about 0.12 MMBoe.

    Regulatory Update

    The change of Presidential administration in the early part of 2025 saw promising developments in the oil and natural gas regulatory environment. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy. Section 3 of that Order directed heads of agencies to review existing regulations to identify agency actions that impose an undue burden on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy resources. The Trump administration also issued Executive Order 14156, Declaring a National Energy Emergency, stating that the United States’ insufficient energy production, transportation, refining, and generation constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the nation’s economy, national security, and foreign policy. Furthermore, on February 3, 2025, Secretary Burgum issued Secretarial Order 3418, Unleashing American Energy. Section 4(b) of that Order directed agency officials to prepare an action plan that will include steps to suspend, revise, or rescind certain regulations.

    As it pertains to W&T, on April 8, 2025, pursuant to the above directives from the Trump administration, the Department of Interior, through a joint filing in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (Case no. 2:24-cv-00820), indicated that it will not seek supplemental financial assurance in the Gulf of America except in the case of (a) sole liability properties and (b) certain non-sole liability properties that do not have a financially strong co-owner or predecessor in title and meet other conditions.

    In addition, the Trump administration has issued a number of executive orders aimed at streamlining regulations and reducing the regulatory burden on oil and natural gas companies, increasing federal oil and natural gas leasing, including in the Gulf of America, and expediting U.S. natural resource development.

    Cash Dividend Policy

    The Company paid its first quarter 2025 dividend of $0.01 per share on March 24, 2025 to stockholders of record on March 17, 2025.

    The Board of Directors declared a second quarter 2025 dividend of $0.01 per share which is to be paid on May 27, 2025 to stockholders of record on May 20, 2025.

    OPERATIONS UPDATE

    Well Recompletions and Workovers

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company performed five workovers that positively impacted production for the quarter. W&T plans to continue performing these low cost and low risk short payout operations that impact both production and revenue.

    Second Quarter and Full Year 2025 Production and Expense Guidance

    The guidance for the second quarter and full year 2025 in the table below represents the Company’s current expectations. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements” below for risk factors that could impact guidance.

         
    Production Second Quarter 2025 Full Year 2025
    Oil (MBbl) 1,295 – 1,435 5,150 – 5,690
    NGLs (MBbl) 210 – 235 1,020 – 1,140
    Natural gas (MMcf) 8,830 – 9,750 34,880 – 38,560
    Total equivalents (MBoe) 2,977 – 3,295 11,983 – 13,257
    Average daily equivalents (MBoe/d) 32.7 – 36.2 32.8 – 36.3
    Expenses Second Quarter 2025 Full Year 2025
    Lease operating expense ($MM) 71.3 – 78.9 280.0 – 310.0
    Gathering, transportation & production taxes ($MM) 6.6 – 7.4 27.1 – 30.1
    General & administrative – cash ($MM) 14.5 – 16.1 62.0 – 69.0
    General & administrative – non-cash ($MM) 2.4 – 2.8 10.1 – 11.3
    DD&A ($ per Boe)   13.40 – 14.90

    W&T expects substantially all income taxes in 2025 to be deferred. 

    Conference Call Information: W&T will hold a conference call to discuss its financial and operational results on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time (12:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Interested parties may dial 1-844-739-3797. International parties may dial 1-412-317-5713. Participants should request to connect to the “W&T Offshore Conference Call.” This call will also be webcast and available on W&T’s website at www.wtoffshore.com under “Investors.” An audio replay will be available on the Company’s website following the call.

    About W&T Offshore

    W&T Offshore, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas producer with operations offshore in the Gulf of America and has grown through acquisitions, exploration and development. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had working interests in 52 fields in federal and state waters (which include 45 fields in federal waters and seven in state waters). The Company has under lease approximately 634,700 gross acres (496,900 net acres) spanning across the outer continental shelf off the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, with approximately 487,200 gross acres on the conventional shelf, approximately 141,900 gross acres in the deepwater and 5,600 gross acres in Alabama state waters. A majority of the Company’s daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T, please visit the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com.

    Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including those regarding the Company’s financial position, operating and financial performance, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, projected costs, industry conditions, potential acquisitions, sustainability initiatives, the impact of and integration of acquired assets, and indebtedness are forward-looking statements. When used in this release, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “target,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future production and sales, prices, market size, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

    These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and speak only as of the date of this release. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results described in these statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements, unless required by law.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ including, among other things, the regulatory environment, including availability or timing of, and conditions imposed on, obtaining and/or maintaining permits and approvals, including those necessary for drilling and/or development projects; the impact of current, pending and/or future laws and regulations, and of legislative and regulatory changes and other government activities, including those related to permitting, drilling, completion, well stimulation, operation, maintenance or abandonment of wells or facilities, managing energy, water, land, greenhouse gases or other emissions, protection of health, safety and the environment, or transportation, marketing and sale of the Company’s products; inflation levels; global economic trends, geopolitical risks and general economic and industry conditions, such as the global supply chain disruptions and the government interventions into the financial markets and economy in response to inflation levels and world health events; volatility of oil, NGL and natural gas prices; the global energy future, including the factors and trends that are expected to shape it, such as concerns about climate change and other air quality issues, the transition to a low-emission economy and the expected role of different energy sources; supply of and demand for oil, NGLs and natural gas, including due to the actions of foreign producers, importantly including OPEC and other major oil producing companies (“OPEC+”) and change in OPEC+’s production levels; disruptions to, capacity constraints in, or other limitations on the pipeline systems that deliver the Company’s oil and natural gas and other processing and transportation considerations; inability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to obtain adequate financing to fund capital expenditures, meet the Company’s working capital requirements or fund planned investments; price fluctuations and availability of natural gas and electricity; the Company’s ability to use derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk; the Company’s ability to meet the Company’s planned drilling schedule, including due to the Company’s ability to obtain permits on a timely basis or at all, and to successfully drill wells that produce oil and natural gas in commercially viable quantities; uncertainties associated with estimating proved reserves and related future cash flows; the Company’s ability to replace the Company’s reserves through exploration and development activities; drilling and production results, lower–than–expected production, reserves or resources from development projects or higher–than–expected decline rates; the Company’s ability to obtain timely and available drilling and completion equipment and crew availability and access to necessary resources for drilling, completing and operating wells; changes in tax laws; effects of competition; uncertainties and liabilities associated with acquired and divested assets; the Company’s ability to make acquisitions and successfully integrate any acquired businesses; asset impairments from commodity price declines; large or multiple customer defaults on contractual obligations, including defaults resulting from actual or potential insolvencies; geographical concentration of the Company’s operations; the creditworthiness and performance of the Company’s counterparties with respect to its hedges; impact of derivatives legislation affecting the Company’s ability to hedge; failure of risk management and ineffectiveness of internal controls; catastrophic events, including tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics and other world health events; environmental risks and liabilities under U.S. federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations (including remedial actions); potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; the Company’s ability to recruit and/or retain key members of the Company’s senior management and key technical employees; information technology failures or cyberattacks; and governmental actions and political conditions, as well as the actions by other third parties that are beyond the Company’s control, and other factors discussed in W&T Offshore’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q found at www.sec.gov or at the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com under the Investor Relations section.

                       
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                       
        Three Months Ended
        March 31,    December 31,    March 31, 
           2025        2024        2024  
    Revenues:                  
    Oil   $ 87,716     $ 86,778     $ 107,015  
    NGLs     4,772       6,713       7,469  
    Natural gas     35,109       24,203       21,616  
    Other     2,270       2,651       4,687  
    Total revenues     129,867       120,345       140,787  
                       
    Operating expenses:                  
    Lease operating expenses     71,012       64,259       70,830  
    Gathering, transportation and production taxes     5,659       5,912       7,540  
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     32,891       38,208       33,937  
    Asset retirement obligations accretion     8,392       8,157       7,969  
    General and administrative expenses     20,157       20,799       20,515  
    Total operating expenses     138,111       137,335       140,791  
                       
    Operating loss     (8,244 )     (16,990 )     (4 )
                       
    Interest expense, net     9,492       10,226       10,072  
    Loss on extinguishment of debt     15,015       —       —  
    Derivative loss (gain), net     2,757       2,113       (4,877 )
    Other (income) expense, net     (316 )     (4,118 )     5,230  
    Loss before income taxes     (35,192 )     (25,211 )     (10,429 )
    Income tax (benefit) expense     (4,615 )     (1,849 )     1,045  
    Net loss   $ (30,577 )   $ (23,362 )   $ (11,474 )
                       
    Net loss per common share (basic and diluted)   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.08 )
                       
    Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)     147,598       147,365       146,857  
                             
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Condensed Operating Data
    (Unaudited)
                             
        Three Months Ended
        March 31,    December 31,    March 31, 
        2025   2024   2024
    Net sales volumes:                        
    Oil (MBbls)     1,230       1,263       1,400  
    NGLs (MBbls)     200       273       343  
    Natural gas (MMcf)     7,884       8,505       8,733  
    Total oil and natural gas (MBoe) (1)     2,744       2,953       3,199  
                             
    Average daily equivalent sales (MBoe/d)     30.5       32.1       35.1  
                             
    Average realized sales prices (before the impact of derivative settlements):                        
    Oil ($/Bbl)   $ 71.31     $ 68.71     $ 76.44  
    NGLs ($/Bbl)     23.86       24.59       21.78  
    Natural gas ($/Mcf)     4.45       2.85       2.48  
    Barrel of oil equivalent ($/Boe)     46.50       39.86       42.55  
                             
    Average operating expenses per Boe ($/Boe):                        
    Lease operating expenses   $ 25.88     $ 21.76     $ 22.14  
    Gathering, transportation and production taxes     2.06       2.00       2.36  
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     11.99       12.94       10.61  
    Asset retirement obligations accretion     3.06       2.76       2.49  
    General and administrative expenses     7.35       7.04       6.41  
    (1) MBoe is determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or NGLs (totals may not compute due to rounding). The conversion ratio does not assume price equivalency and the price on an equivalent basis for oil, NGLs and natural gas may differ significantly. The realized prices presented above are volume-weighted for production in the respective period.
                 
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                 
           March 31,    December 31, 
        2025     2024  
    Assets            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 105,933     $ 109,003  
    Restricted cash     1,552       1,552  
    Receivables:            
    Oil and natural gas sales     64,991       63,558  
    Joint interest, net     26,884       25,841  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     22,570       18,504  
    Total current assets     221,930       218,458  
                 
    Oil and natural gas properties and other, net     691,788       777,741  
    Restricted deposits for asset retirement obligations     22,892       22,730  
    Deferred income taxes     54,332       48,808  
    Other assets     34,004       31,193  
    Total assets   $ 1,024,946     $ 1,098,930  
                 
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit            
    Current liabilities:            
    Accounts payable   $ 77,978     $ 83,625  
    Accrued liabilities     19,210       33,271  
    Undistributed oil and natural gas proceeds     58,647       53,131  
    Advances from joint interest partners     2,432       2,443  
    Current portion of asset retirement obligations     29,098       46,326  
    Current portion of long-term debt, net     566       27,288  
    Total current liabilities     187,931       246,084  
                 
    Asset retirement obligations     532,753       502,506  
    Long-term debt, net     349,481       365,935  
    Other liabilities     17,381       16,182  
                 
    Commitments and contingencies     20,196       20,800  
                 
    Shareholders’ deficit:            
    Preferred stock     —       —  
    Common stock     2       2  
    Additional paid-in capital     597,271       595,407  
    Retained deficit     (655,902 )     (623,819 )
    Treasury stock     (24,167 )     (24,167 )
    Total shareholders’ deficit     (82,796 )     (52,577 )
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit   $ 1,024,946     $ 1,098,930  
                       
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                       
        Three Months Ended
        March 31,    December 31,    March 31, 
        2025     2024     2024  
    Operating activities:                  
    Net loss   $ (30,577 )   $ (23,362 )   $ (11,474 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                  
    Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion     41,283       46,365       41,906  
    Share-based compensation     2,087       3,818       3,032  
    Amortization and write off of debt issuance costs     1,099       1,117       1,292  
    Loss on extinguishment of debt     15,015       —       —  
    Derivative loss (gain), net     2,757       2,113       (4,877 )
    Derivative cash (settlements) receipts, net     (5,326 )     (1,638 )     2,599  
    Deferred income (benefit) taxes     (5,517 )     (1,941 )     733  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                  
    Accounts receivable     (1,935 )     (17,064 )     (17,362 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     547       1,792       433  
    Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other     (18,858 )     3,831       (852 )
    Asset retirement obligation settlements     (3,771 )     (19,348 )     (3,788 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities     (3,196 )     (4,317 )     11,642  
                       
    Investing activities:                  
    Investment in oil and natural gas properties and equipment     (6,665 )     (14,124 )     (7,080 )
    Acquisition of property interests     (400 )     —       (80,515 )
    Proceeds from sale of oil and natural gas properties     11,935       —       —  
    Insurance proceeds     58,500       —       —  
    Purchases of furniture, fixtures and other     (103 )     (19 )     (24 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     63,267       (14,143 )     (87,619 )
                       
    Financing activities:                  
    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt     350,000       —       —  
    Repayments of long-term debt     (384,264 )     (275 )     (275 )
    Purchase of government securities in connection with legal defeasance of 11.75% Senior Second Lien Notes     (5,889 )     —       —  
    Premium and debt extinguishment costs     (10,230 )     —       —  
    Debt issuance costs     (11,042 )     (183 )     (312 )
    Payment of dividends     (1,493 )     (1,475 )     (1,469 )
    Other     (223 )     (13 )     (483 )
    Net cash used in financing activities     (63,141 )     (1,946 )     (2,539 )
    Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (3,070 )     (20,406 )     (78,516 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period     110,555       130,961       177,755  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period   $ 107,485     $ 110,555     $ 99,239  

    W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Non-GAAP Information

    Certain financial information included in W&T’s financial results are not measures of financial performance recognized by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are “Net Debt,” “Adjusted Net Loss,” “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Free Cash Flow” or are derivable from a combination of these measures. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of performance. These disclosures may not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be reported by other companies. Prior period amounts have been conformed to the methodology and presentation of the current period.

    We calculate Net Debt as total debt (current and long-term portions), less cash and cash equivalents. Management uses Net Debt to evaluate the Company’s financial position, including its ability to service its debt obligations.

    Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss

    Adjusted Net Loss adjusts for certain items that the Company believes affect comparability of operating results, including items that are generally non-recurring in nature or whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated. These items include loss on extinguishment of debt, unrealized commodity derivative gain, net, allowance for credit losses, non-recurring legal and IT-related costs, non-ARO P&A costs, and other which are then tax effected using the Federal Statutory Rate. Company management believes that this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps investors to understand the net loss of the Company without the effects of certain non-recurring or unusual expenses and certain income or loss that is not realized by the Company.

                       
        Three Months Ended
        March 31,    December 31,    March 31, 
        2025     2024     2024  
          (in thousands)
          (Unaudited)
    Net loss   $ (30,577 )   $ (23,362 )   $ (11,474 )
    Loss on extinguishment of debt     15,015       —       —  
    Unrealized commodity derivative gain, net     (882 )     (497 )     (1,122 )
    Allowance for credit losses     155       118       84  
    Non-recurring legal and IT-related costs     528       860       758  
    Non-ARO P&A costs     (197 )     (2,763 )     5,352  
    Other     (71 )     (1,302 )     (214 )
    Tax effect of selected items (1)     (3,055 )     753       (1,020 )
    Adjusted net loss   $ (19,084 )   $ (26,193 )   $ (7,636 )
                       
    Adjusted net loss per common share (basic and diluted)   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.18 )   $ (0.05 )
                       
    Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted)     147,598       147,365       146,857  

    (1)   Selected items were tax effected with the Federal Statutory Rate of 21% for each respective period.

    W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Non-GAAP Information

    Adjusted EBITDA/ Free Cash Flow Reconciliations

    The Company also presents non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net loss plus net interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, ARO accretion, excluding the unrealized commodity derivative gain, allowance for credit losses, non-cash incentive compensation, non-recurring legal and IT-related costs, non-ARO P&A costs, and other. Company management believes this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps investors understand W&T’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare its results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital and tax structures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income, as an indication of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, as W&T calculates it, may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA measures reported by other companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use.

    The Company defines Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA (defined above), less capital expenditures, P&A costs and net interest expense (all on an accrual basis). For this purpose, the Company’s definition of capital expenditures includes costs incurred related to oil and natural gas properties (such as drilling and infrastructure costs and the lease maintenance costs) and equipment but excludes acquisition costs of oil and gas properties from third parties that are not included in the Company’s capital expenditures guidance provided to investors. Company management believes that Free Cash Flow is an important financial performance measure for use in evaluating the performance and efficiency of its current operating activities after the impact of accrued capital expenditures, P&A costs and net interest expense and without being impacted by items such as changes associated with working capital, which can vary substantially from one period to another. There is no commonly accepted definition of Free Cash Flow within the industry. Accordingly, Free Cash Flow, as defined and calculated by the Company, may not be comparable to Free Cash Flow or other similarly named non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. While the Company includes net interest expense in the calculation of Free Cash Flow, other mandatory debt service requirements of future payments of principal at maturity (if such debt is not refinanced) are excluded from the calculation of Free Cash Flow. These and other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from Free Cash Flow would reduce cash available for other uses.

    The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s net loss income, a GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, as such terms are defined by the Company:

                       
        Three Months Ended
        March 31,    December 31,    March 31, 
        2025     2024     2024  
        (in thousands)
        (Unaudited)
    Net loss   $ (30,577 )   $ (23,362 )   $ (11,474 )
    Interest expense, net     9,492       10,226       10,072  
    Loss on extinguishment of debt     15,015       —       —  
    Income tax (benefit) expense     (4,615 )     (1,849 )     1,045  
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization     32,891       38,208       33,937  
    Asset retirement obligations accretion     8,392       8,157       7,969  
    Unrealized commodity derivative gain, net     (882 )     (497 )     (1,122 )
    Allowance for credit losses     155       118       84  
    Non-cash incentive compensation     2,087       3,818       3,032  
    Non-recurring legal and IT-related costs     528       860       758  
    Non-ARO P&A costs     (197 )     (2,763 )     5,352  
    Other     (71 )     (1,302 )     (214 )
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 32,218     $ 31,614     $ 49,439  
                       
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis (1)   $ (8,472 )   $ (12,228 )   $ (3,156 )
    Asset retirement obligation settlements     (3,771 )     (19,348 )     (3,788 )
    Interest expense, net     (9,492 )     (10,226 )     (10,072 )
    Free Cash Flow   $ 10,483     $ (10,188 )   $ 32,423  


    (1)     A reconciliation of the adjustment used to calculate Free Cash Flow to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is included below:

                       
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis reconciliation                  
    Investment in oil and natural gas properties and equipment   $ (6,665 )   $ (14,124 )   $ (7,080 )
    Less: change in accrual for capital expenditures     1,807       (1,896 )     (3,924 )
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis   $ (8,472 )   $ (12,228 )   $ (3,156 )

    The following table presents a reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities, a GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow, as defined by the Company:

                       
        Three Months Ended
        March 31,    December 31,    March 31,
        2025     2024     2024  
        (in thousands)
        (Unaudited)
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   $ (3,196 )   $ (4,317 )   $ 11,642  
    Allowance for credit losses     155       118       84  
    Amortization of debt items     (1,099 )     (1,117 )     (1,292 )
    Non-recurring legal and IT-related costs     528       860       758  
    Current tax (benefit) expense (1)     902       92       312  
    Change in derivatives receivable (payable) (1)     1,687       (972 )     1,156  
    Non-ARO P&A costs     (197 )     (2,763 )     5,352  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding asset retirement obligation settlements     20,246       11,441       17,781  
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis     (8,472 )     (12,228 )     (3,156 )
    Other     (71 )     (1,302 )     (214 )
    Free Cash Flow   $ 10,483     $ (10,188 )   $ 32,423  


    (1)     A reconciliation of the adjustments used to calculate Free Cash Flow to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is included below:

                       
    Current tax (benefit) expense:                  
    Income tax (benefit) expense   $ (4,615 )   $ (1,849 )   $ 1,045  
    Less: Deferred income (benefit) taxes     (5,517 )     (1,941 )     733  
    Current tax expense   $ 902     $ 92     $ 312  
                       
    Changes in derivatives receivable (payable)                  
    Derivatives receivable (payable), end of period   $ 310     $ (1,377 )   $ 1,427  
    Derivatives payable (receivable), beginning of period     1,377       405       (271 )
    Change in derivatives receivable (payable)   $ 1,687     $ (972 )   $ 1,156  
         
    CONTACT: Al Petrie Sameer Parasnis
      Investor Relations Coordinator Executive VP and CFO
      investorrelations@wtoffshore.com sparasnis@wtoffshore.com
      713-297-8024 713-513-8654

    Source: W&T Offshore, Inc.

    Released May 6, 2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In First Hearing as Ranking Member of Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and FDA, Shaheen Co-Leads Review of Trump’s Agriculture Budget Request, Presses Secretary Rollins on How Administration Chaos has Hurt Farmers and Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    **Shaheen underscored how the unnecessary funding freeze and trade war imposed by the administration have caused uncertainty for America’s farmers and producers**
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA), today co-led her first hearing as the top Democrat on the subcommittee. In her questioning of Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Shaheen highlighted how President Trump has sown chaos that has hurt farmers, producers and rural parts of the country and underscored how the President’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026 falls woefully short of what is needed to adequately support rural communities. Click here to watch the Senator’s opening remarks and here to watch her questions. 
    “The proposed budget toplines released last Friday fall well short of the President’s purported commitments to farmers and rural communities. I don’t believe we support farmers by gutting research that will boost yields and improve crop quality. And I don’t believe we put rural America on a path to thrive by slashing core rural development programs—from housing to water and waste infrastructure to energy assistance. And when grocery prices are too high, we don’t help families put food on the table by undercutting vital nutrition programs. Yet, that’s exactly what this skinny budget would do,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “I hope that we will have the chance to move forward with bipartisan appropriations with a serious non-defense discretionary number that reflects the urgent needs that are facing families and communities in the Granite State and across the country – because there are plenty of places where we can work together to ensure that these programs deliver for producers and rural America.” 
    During the hearing, Shaheen raised a letter she and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) sent to Secretary Rollins in March that emphasized the need to get critical disaster relief assistance to growers in New Hampshire and across the country, underscoring the importance of ensuring funding goes to small farms in states like New Hampshire that sorely need the assistance. 
    Shaheen pressed Secretary Rollins on the elimination of the Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole Food for Education programs in the FY26 budget request, which feed hungry people globally with U.S. farm commodities.   
    In March, Shaheen held two separate roundtable discussions with New Hampshire farmers and agricultural producers from across the state to discuss the impacts farms experienced as a result of President Trump’s freeze on tens of billions of dollars of federal funding at USDA. Farmers told Senator Shaheen that the uncertainty over whether or not crucial programs they rely on will be funded interrupts their ability to do their jobs. Later that month, Shaheen joined her Senate colleagues in pressing USDA to explain the reported cancellation of previously approved funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for food banks and other emergency food providers. 
    Shaheen has long fought to support farmers in New Hampshire, including by successfully helping to secure disaster supplemental funding for farmers impacted by crop losses in 2023. Shaheen also has a strong record of working to improve crop insurance policies to support farmers in New Hampshire and leads legislation to reform the federal government’s crop insurance program. Senator Shaheen has supported more than 230 New Hampshire small businesses who have received over $25 million to lower energy bills and cut costs through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program. She has consistently fought for increased funding and improved support for rural development programs, including rural water programs. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: VAALCO Energy, Inc. Provides Additional Information Regarding Its Capital Markets Day Planned for May 14, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vaalco Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY; LSE: EGY) (“Vaalco” or the “Company”) today provided additional details regarding its Capital Markets Day presentation on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The presentation will begin at 8 a.m. Central Time (2 p.m. London Time) and is expected to conclude by around 10:00 a.m. Central Time (4 p.m. London Time).

    Participation in the Capital Markets Day is directed to Vaalco’s shareholders, buy side and sell side analysts, as well as large institutional investors and portfolio managers. The session will be webcast live along with related presentation materials, and the webcast will allow for questions to be asked of the management team.

    Interested investors may sign up for the webcast using the link that is now available on Vaalco’s web site at www.vaalco.com in the “Investors” section of the web site under upcoming events, or use this link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=nvILiLZm. A replay will be archived on the site shortly after the presentation concludes.

    The agenda will include presentations by key members of management on topics including:

    • A technical deep dive into Vaalco’s diverse portfolio;
    • Updates on the Company’s major investment projects;
    • Outlining projected finance and capital management strategy for execution of the Company’s longer-term vision; and
    • Additional insight into Vaalco’s strategy over the next three to five years.

    About Vaalco
    Vaalco, founded in 1985 and incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is a Houston, Texas, USA based, independent energy company with a diverse portfolio of production, development and exploration assets across Gabon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Canada.

    For Further Information

    Vaalco Energy, Inc. (General and Investor Enquiries) +00 1 713 543 3422
    Website: www.vaalco.com
       
    Al Petrie Advisors (US Investor Relations) +00 1 713 543 3422
    Al Petrie / Chris Delange  
       
    Burson Buchanan (UK Financial PR) +44 (0) 207 466 5000
    Ben Romney / Barry Archer Vaalco@buchanan.uk.com
       

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws and other applicable laws and may also include “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law (collectively “forward-looking statements”). Where a forward-looking statement expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “aim,” “target,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “likely,” “plan” and “probably” or similar words may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to (i) estimates of future drilling, production, sales and costs of acquiring crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; (ii) expectations regarding Vaalco’s ability to effectively integrate assets and properties it has acquired as a result of the Svenska acquisition into its operations; (iii) expectations regarding future exploration and the development, growth and potential of Vaalco’s operations, project pipeline and investments, and schedule and anticipated benefits to be derived therefrom; (iv) expectations regarding future acquisitions, investments or divestitures; (v) expectations of future dividends; (vi) expectations of future balance sheet strength; and (vii) expectations of future equity and enterprise value.

    Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks relating to any unforeseen liabilities of Vaalco; the ability to generate cash flows that, along with cash on hand, will be sufficient to support operations and cash requirements; risks relating to the timing and costs of completion for scheduled maintenance of the FPSO servicing the Baobab field; and the risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Vaalco’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 17, 2025 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Unveils Vision AI for Neo QLED, OLED, QLED and The Frame TVs, Bringing Intelligent, Immersive & Adaptive Screens to Indian Consumers

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the launch of its ultra-premium 2025 models of Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, OLED, QLED TVs and The Frame lineup, bringing the revolutionary Samsung Vision AI technology to Indian consumers. At the heart of this launch is the new Samsung Vision AI that delivers an unparalleled home entertainment experience with next-generation AI capabilities. Staying true to its commitment to innovation, Samsung’s latest range redefines how users interact with screens, turning them into intelligent companions that enrich everyday living.
     
    Samsung Vision AI – a cutting-edge technology framework – pairs AI-enhanced picture and sound for maximum performance with personalized experience. Samsung Vision AI is built on three pillars.
     
    AI Mode optimizes picture quality and sound in real time by using advanced deep-learning algorithms that adapt to both content and ambient surroundings, ensuring stunning visuals and immersive audio every time.
    AI Experience personalizes content discovery and settings by learning user preferences over time, delivering a smarter, more intuitive interaction.
    Multi-Device Connectivity seamlessly connects the TV with smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices, enabling effortless content sharing, control, and continuity across the Samsung ecosystem.
     
    “The role of the television in Indian homes has evolved – it’s no longer just about watching content, but about enabling connected, intelligent lifestyles. With the introduction of Samsung Vision AI across our widest-ever premium lineup, we are delivering a future-ready TV experience that goes beyond stunning visuals. Samsung Vision AI ushers in a truly personalized, AI-powered screen experience, where the viewer is more important than what’s being viewed. We are calling this shift ‘It’s Your Show’ – an experience where users are in complete control, with the TV adapting to their unique preferences, habits, and ecosystem. Our new AI TV lineup breathes new life into every frame, setting a new benchmark for cinematic excellence at home. With this new era of AI-powered screens, we are confident of accelerating next-generation TV adoption and strengthening our leadership in India’s premium television segment,” said Viplesh Dang, Senior Director, Visual Display Business, Samsung India.
     
    Samsung Vision AI: Powering a New Generation of Smart, Personalized Entertainment Experiences
     
    Samsung Vision AI represents a major leap in making screens smarter, more intuitive and deeply personal. It transforms televisions into adaptive hubs, responsive to their environment and user behaviours. They seamlessly blend into everyday life, making the TV an intelligent partner rather than just a display.
     
    Several features come together to redefine the big screen experience-
     
    Universal Gesture Control allows users to effortlessly navigate their Samsung Smart AI TV using simple hand movements, eliminating the need for a remote. This feature utilizes AI technology, and a connected Galaxy Watch to recognize gestures, allowing for intuitive control over various TV functions.
     
    AI Upscaling Pro elevates lower-resolution content to near-8K quality, ensuring every detail is crystal clear. Powered by Samsung’s NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor, this feature sharpens images and enhances clarity, delivering a vivid and lifelike viewing experience.
     
    Generative Wallpaper transforms idle screens into dynamic, personalized art canvases, creating visuals that match moods or occasions. Leveraging AI, this feature generates unique 4K images, allowing users to personalize their viewing experience with custom artwork. ​
     
    Multi-Device connectivity keeps users updated about their living environment with real-time alerts and energy monitoring. Integrated with SmartThings, it provides real-time summaries of the home’s status and suggests necessary actions, enhancing peace of mind whether users are at home or away.
    ​
    Pet and Family Care Mode provides peace of mind by detecting unusual activities of pets or family members and by automatically adjusting home settings for added comfort. Utilizing on-device AI, it can detect events such as a dog barking or a baby crying, alerting users when attention is needed.
     
    Samsung’s Most Advanced AI-Powered Neo QLED 8K TV Redefines Visual Display Technology
    Leading the 2025 AI TV lineup is the flagship Neo QLED 8K QN950F, designed to deliver the pinnacle of TV innovation. Powered by the advanced NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor, which employs 768 AI neural networks, this TV brings breakthrough features to life. Ensuring an exceptional viewing experience with crisp details, regardless of the input source, it is encased in an ultra-slim, minimalist Infinity Air design. The Neo QLED 8K QN950F is an object of beauty and a technological prowess, offering a truly immersive and sophisticated cinematic visual display.
     
    The 8K AI Upscaling Pro feature intelligently analyzes and enhances any content to 8K quality, preserving details and textures with remarkable accuracy.
     
    The Glare-Free technology ensures distraction-free viewing even in brightly lit spaces, reducing reflections without compromising colour or contrast.
    Q-Symphony and Dolby Atmos combine to deliver a deeply immersive, multidimensional audio experience by perfectly synchronizing the TV speakers with compatible Samsung soundbars.
    The ultra-fast 240Hz refresh rate ensures fluid motion and razor-sharp visuals, ideal for high-speed action, sports, and next-gen gaming.
     
    AI Mode intelligently optimizes picture and sound based on content type and surroundings, delivering a customized viewing experience.’
     
    The Neo QLED 8K is available in sizes of 85, 75, and 65 inches.
     
    Lineup for All Entertainment Needs: Neo QLED 4K
    The QN90F, QN85F, QN80F and QN70F models headline the Neo QLED 4K lineup. The QN90F features Quantum Matrix Technology Plus with 128 Neural Networks, Motion Xcelerator 165Hz, Glare-Free viewing and a powerful 60W 4.2.2 channel speaker system with Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony for a cinematic audio-visual experience and Samsung’s signature Neo Slim design with Art Store and Generative Wallpaper support.
     
    Samsung’s   2025 OLED TVs push performance further with NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor supported by 128 Neural Networks, Motion Xcelerator 165Hz, Glare-Free Viewing, and AI Motion Enhancer Pro for exceptional clarity in fast-moving scenes. These models support 100% Color Volume, are PANTONE Validated, and feature a minimalist Infinity One design with Attachable Slim One Connect to reduce clutter.
     
    Samsung has also curated localized Smart Experiences for Indian consumers to include a range of services like gaming, entertainment, education and fitness.’
     
    Cloud Gaming Service enables users to experience AAA games with Plug and Play – with no console or PC required.
     
    Samsung Education Hub helps users to experience Big Screen Learning with live classes, making learning for your kids more interactive and immersive.
     
    TV Key service upscales consumers as there is no requirement for a set-top box as it enables direct transmission of content through the cloud.
     
    Samsung TV Plus provides 125+ national and international channels absolutely free with instant access to news, movies, entertainment and more.
     
    The 2025 Samsung AI TVs come equipped with a built-in SmartThings hub, transforming the television into a central command centre for connected living. This integration allows users to effortlessly connect and control a wide array of smart devices. Additionally, SmartThings Energy offers insights into energy consumption patterns, promoting efficient energy use throughout the home. The platform’s ambient sensing capabilities analyse human movements and environmental sounds, allowing the system to adapt settings such as lighting and temperature to suit daily routines, thereby enhancing comfort and convenience. ​
     
    Fortified with Samsung Knox, a comprehensive security platform that safeguards user data and privacy, high security standards are maintained. It detects and prevent unauthorized changes, blocks phishing websites to protect against malicious sites, and enhanced personal information protection through Samsung Knox Vault.
     
    To ensure a future-ready and secure smart TV experience, Samsung’s 2025 AI TV lineup comes with 7 years of guaranteed OS upgrades at no additional cost. This industry-leading commitment extends the longevity of each device, keeping it up to date with the latest features, security enhancements, and performance improvements. Whether it’s advanced AI functionality or seamless SmartThings integration, consumers can enjoy a consistently premium experience year after year, making their investment in Samsung’s Vision AI-powered TVs truly future-proof.
     
    Price, Offers & Availability
    The 2025 lineup of Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, OLED, and The Frame TVs will be available for pre-order from May 7, 2025 across Samsung retail stores, Samsung.com, and leading offline and online retail channels.
     
    As part of the pre-order offer, consumers purchasing Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, OLED TVs and The Frame can avail of exciting benefits, such as Free Soundbar worth up to INR 90990, cashback of up to 20%, Easy EMI with zero down payment, lowest EMI starting INR 2990 and up to 30-month EMI tenure. These offers are valid till May 28, 2025.
     
    Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K range starts from INR 272990
    Samsung’s Neo QLED 4K range starts from INR 89990
    Samsung’s OLED range starts from INR 154990
    Samsung’s QLED range starts from INR 49490
    Samsung’s Frame TVs range starts from INR 63990
     
    The 2025 Samsung AI TV lineup is available in a wide spectrum of screen sizes, catering to every viewing preference and space requirement. The range includes 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 77″, 83″, 85″, 98″ and the ultra-large 100” and 115″. From compact personal entertainment zones to immersive home theatres, this diverse selection ensures there’s a perfect AI-powered screen for every room and need.
     
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 5.6.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 6, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Paul Henderson, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California African American Museum Board of Directors. Henderson has been the Executive Director at the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability since 2017. He was a Senior Policy Advisor with Biden for President in 2020. Henderson was the Deputy Chief of Staff in the San Francisco Mayor’s Office from 2011 to 2017. He held multiple positions at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office from 1995 to 2011, including Chief of Administration, Co-Manager of the Trial Division, and Trial Attorney. Henderson is a Founding Board Member of the Warner Music Group Social Justice Fund and Art Like Me, and a member of the San Francisco Bar Association. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Henderson is a Democrat.

    Sinar Lomeli, of San Marcos, has been appointed to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Lomeli has been Counseling Faculty at MiraCosta College since 2016. She was an Adjunct Counselor and Instructor at Rio Honda College from 2014 to 2016. Lomeli was an Adjunct Counselor and Instructor at Norco College from 2014 to 2016. She earned a Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling from California State University, San Bernardino and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Lomeli is a member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality. This position requires Senate confirmation. and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lomeli is a Democrat.

    Desirea Haggard, of Pinon Hills, has been appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Haggard has been the Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental at Unacem North America since 2024. She was the Vice President of Environmental at the CalPortland Company from 2009 to 2024. Haggard was an Environmental Engineer at TXI Riverside Cement from 2004 to 2009. She earned a Master of Science degree in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Riverside and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine. Haggard is a member of the Women in Mining California Chapter. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Haggard is registered without party preference.

    Christina Wong, of Chico, has been reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, where she has served since 2021. Wong has been a Self-Employed Psychotherapist since 2024. Wong was the Senior Program Coordinator at the Glenn County Health and Human Services Agency from 2002 to 2024. She was a Mental Health Therapist at the Butte County Probation Department from 2008 to 2020. Wong was the Master of Social Work Coordinator at the University of Alabama School of Social Work from 1993 to 1997. She was the Dean of Student Affairs at Hong Kong Shue Yan University from 1993 to 1997. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from University of Hull and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Hong Kong Shue Yan University. Wong is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Wong is a Democrat.

    David Rabbitt, of Petaluma, has been reappointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, where he has served since 2013. Rabbitt has been the District Two County Supervisor on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors since 2011 and an Independent Architect since 1997. He was a Member of the Petaluma City Council from 2006 to 2011. Rabbit was a Project Architect at Donald K. Olsen, AIA & Associates from 1985 to 1997. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Rabbitt is a Democrat.

    Vincent Wells, of Elk Grove, has been reappointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, where he has served since 2021. Wells has been the President of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County Local 1230 since 2008. He was a Fire Captain and Paramedic at Contra Costa Fire Protection District from 1997 to 2020. Wells was a Firefighter and Paramedic at the Fairfield Fire Department from 1995 to 1997. He served in the United States Air Force from 1985 to 1992. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Wells is a Democrat.

    Debra Garnes, of Rio Dell, has been reappointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, where she has served since 2021. Garnes has been Mayor of the City of Rio Dell since 2019. Garnes was an Operational and Certified First Response Instructor from 2001 to 2003. She held several positions at the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generation Station in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District from 1990 to 2002, including Hazardous Materials Technician and Specialist, Hazardous Materials First Responder, Asbestos and Lead Decommissioning Technician, and Senior Utility Clerk. Garnes was Fleet Payroll Supervisor at KLLM Trucking from 1989 to 1990. She was an Associate at the Ranco Seco Nuclear Generation Station in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District from 1988 to 1989. Garnes was a United States Navy Petty Officer Second Class, Gunnersmate Guns for the United States Navy from 1981 to 1985. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Garnes is a Democrat.

    Cindy Silva, of Walnut Creek, has been reappointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, where she has served since 2017. Silva has served as a Councilmember for the City of Walnut Creek since 2006. She was Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek from 2022 to 2023, 2018 to 2019, 2012 to 2013, and 2010 to 2011. She was the Owner of Eisley Silva Communications from 1987 to 2016. Silva was Sales Communication Manager at PeopleSoft from 2001 to 2004. She was Manager of International Proposals and Start-up Training at AirTouch Communications from 1993 to 1995. Silva was Senior Vice President of Product Development at Alamo Learning Systems from 1985 to 1987. She was the Owner of Eisley Communications Inc. from 1979 to 1985. Silva was a Management Newsletter Editor at the Southern California Gas Company from 1979 to 1980. She was a Project Associate at Systema Corporation from 1978 to 1979. Silva was Managing Editor at the California Dental Association from 1976 to 1978. She is the President of the League of California Cities, Statewide Board Member of the League of California Cities, and member of the Hospice East Bay Board of Directors. Silva earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Silva is registered without party preference.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    May 6, 2025

    News What you need to know: The Governor attended the annual ceremony, honoring the 232 fallen CHP officers since the Department’s establishment in 1929. Sacramento, California – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom attended the California Highway Patrol Memorial Ceremony,…

    May 6, 2025

    News What you need to know: From October 2023 to December 2024, participants collected data on arrests, referrals, charges, convictions, and sentencing related to organized retail crime. Sacramento, California – Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the results…

    May 6, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 4-10, 2025 as “Wildfire Preparedness Week.”The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONJanuary’s fires in Los Angeles underscored the scale and…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Debates – Monday, 5 May 2025 – Strasbourg – Revised edition

    Source: European Parliament
    Verbatim report of proceedings
     430k  594k
    Monday, 5 May 2025 – Strasbourg

       

    IN THE CHAIR: ROBERTA METSOLA
    President

    		  
    1. Resumption of the session

    		 

      President. – I declare resumed the session of the European Parliament adjourned on 3 April 2025.

    		  

    2. Opening of the sitting


       

    (The sitting opened at 17:01)

    		  

    3. Passing of Pope Francis – Statement by the President

    		 

      President. – On 26 April the world came together to mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Together with a number of you, we represented this House at the Pope’s funeral in Rome, where hundreds of thousands gathered to commemorate his life and honour his legacy.

    Pope Francis will be remembered for his inspirational leadership, his moral authority and his kindness, taking every opportunity to speak up for a more humane, more peaceful and unified world. In 2014, His Holiness addressed this Plenary and he called for every Member to ’work to make Europe rediscover the best of itself.’

    E proprio in occasione della sua visita Papa, Francesco scrisse un messaggio, nel libro che raccoglie le firme e i pensieri delle più alte personalità che hanno visitato l’Istituzione nel corso della sua storia, e io desidero condividere con voi le parole che ha voluto dedicarci:

    “Auguro che il Parlamento europeo sia sempre più la sede dove ogni suo membro concorra a far sì che l’Europa, consapevole del suo passato, guardi con fiducia al futuro per vivere con speranza il presente.”

    Whilst this House grieves his loss, we also remember his call to action and work together every day for a better, more compassionate and more courageous Europe.

    I invite you now to join me in a moment of silence.

    (The House rose and observed a minute’s silence)

    We will now have a round of Group speakers to pay tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis.

    		  
       

    		 

      Manfred Weber, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, dear colleagues, for me personally, meeting Pope Francis and speaking with him was a lifetime honour and he remains, for me and for us as the EPP Group, a profound source of inspiration. His hope, his wisdom, his faith still speak to all of us. It was a moment of deep sadness when we learned about his passing away and we will miss him.

    Above everything, as our President already said, it was always the person, the human being he put at the centre. He never spoke about migrants, he spoke about human beings and not about a prisoner, about a human being, not about homeless people, about human beings. Christianity at its best: everybody is important, recognised by God, and also has a perspective beyond our life on earth.

    In November 2014, when he was here speaking in this European Parliament 11 years ago, he spoke about the deep Christian identity of our continent. Europe without Christian roots is simply unthinkable.

    However, Christian values never were pure Christian symbolism. He did not look at the questions of what divides us in Europe, he was always committed to what unites us. Not race, not religion, and not social status are allowed to divide us. And that was also his red line to all extremists who were misusing Christianity for their egoistic interests.

    His Christian view on a human approach of a society was also for dignified work, for a society where everybody feels involved, and an economy which also serves the people’s interests. And that’s why our model of a social market economy was deeply rooted also in his Christian thinking.

    And finally, on this Christian democratic tradition – like my party is representing it – I also want to underline that he himself, and all his predecessors in the 20th and 21st century, was committed to European integration. He was always arguing in favour of a united Europe, not as a functional entity, not as a cash machine, not as a huge market, but as a community with shared identity, united in the European way of life.

    In a letter addressed to the European People’s Party group, Pope Francis wrote to us that, and I quote, ‘To build Europe, it takes a strong inspiration, a soul. It takes dreams, it takes values and a high political vision. Ordinary management, good, normal administration is not enough.’ That is what Pope Francis told us. And this is his legacy. This is his job description for us as the European People’s Party, also as a European Parliament. He rightly saw the European way of life as a path to a bright future, and also our offer to the rest of the world. That’s why, thank you to Pope Francis.

    		  
       

    		 

      Iratxe García Pérez, en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señora presidenta, hoy alzamos la voz en esta Cámara para rendir tributo al papa Francisco, un hombre de fe profunda y coraje inmenso que supo estar a la altura de los tiempos. Fue el papa de los pobres, de los marginados y de los que se encuentran en las periferias de la sociedad.

    Tuve el honor de encontrarme con el papa Francisco. Con su voz clara y su mirada compasiva, nos recordó que la justicia social no es solo una opción, sino una exigencia irrenunciable.

    Señorías, la mejor manera de rendir tributo al papa Francisco no es solo recordar sus palabras, sino cumplir con ellas. El 25 de noviembre de 2014, en este mismo Parlamento, nos pidió que construyéramos Europa sobre la piedra angular de la dignidad. Nos interpeló con preguntas que hoy siguen doliendo: «¿qué dignidad es posible sin un marco jurídico claro que limite el dominio de la fuerza y haga prevalecer la ley sobre la tiranía del poder?», «¿qué dignidad puede tener un hombre o una mujer cuando es objeto de todo tipo de discriminación?», «¿qué dignidad podrá encontrar una persona que no tiene qué comer o el mínimo necesario para vivir o, todavía peor, que no tiene el trabajo que le otorga dignidad?».

    También nos exigió con firmeza cuidar la tierra, al decir que Europa ha estado siempre en primera línea de un loable compromiso en favor de la ecología.

    Al hablar de migración, nos suplicó no mirar hacia otro lado: «no se puede tolerar que el mar Mediterráneo se convierta en un gran cementerio».

    Y en su último mensaje urbi et orbi, levantó la voz por una paz justa y duradera en Ucrania y en Tierra Santa. Hoy hemos conocido su último deseo, y es que el papamóvil se pueda convertir en un hospital infantil para los niños en Gaza. Gran signo y gran deseo.

    Señorías, si queremos estar a la altura del legado, hagamos nuestras sus palabras: «abandonar la idea de una Europa atemorizada y replegada sobre sí misma para suscitar y promover una Europa protagonista y transmisora de valores humanos; la Europa que camina sobre la tierra segura y firme, precioso punto de referencia para toda la humanidad».

    Esa es la Europa que el papa Francisco soñó; que sea también la Europa que entre todos sigamos construyendo.

    		  
       

    		 

      Jordan Bardella, au nom du groupe PfE. – Madame la Présidente, mes chers collègues, c’est avec gravité et recueillement que je prends la parole à mon tour pour saluer la mémoire du pape François. Parce qu’il est une figure universelle, sa disparition aura ému, au-delà des 1,4 milliard de catholiques dans le monde.

    Homme de foi, homme de dialogue et de paix, autorité morale rare dans un monde en perte de repères, le pape François le fut incontestablement. Son pontificat fut celui d’une attention constante portée aux plus fragiles et aux plus démunis. Que l’on partage ou non ses opinions politiques, ses prises de position – elles ont été nombreuses et multiples –, le respect solennel dû aux morts nous oblige.

    En ce moment solennel, je veux redire avec fierté que la France, fille aînée de l’Église, n’oublie ni ses racines chrétiennes, ni le lien millénaire qui l’unit à la foi et à l’Église catholique. Ce lien historique et précieux fonde une part inestimable de notre identité, de notre civilisation, de nos valeurs et, pour beaucoup, de notre espérance. Que le pape François repose en paix.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Madam President, ‘a Church that goes out’ is how Pope Francis summed up the mission of his pontificate, a Church that doesn’t remain confined within its physical spaces, but instead opens itself spiritually to the world, a Church that reaches out to people, cares for them – even physically – wherever they may be.

    I’ve shared many of Pope Francis’s messages, even those considered ‘politically incorrect’, but I would be hypocritical if I didn’t also admit some different points of view, particularly regarding the governance of migration. I think that for some here it’s quite the opposite. Yet despite our differences, Christianity represents all of us. It’s the only cultural bond that still holds us together. It’s the common root of Europe, even if the European Union denies it every day.

    In October 2020, Pope Francis wrote to us:

    ‘Europe, find yourself again! Rediscover your ideals, which have deep roots. Be yourself. Don’t be afraid of your millennia‑old history, which is more a window to the future than to the past’.

    Addio, Papa Francesco.

    		  
       

    		 

      Billy Kelleher, on behalf of the Renew Group. – Madam President, sadly, Pope Francis’s death did not come as a shock to most of us. Unfortunately, his health had been waning, and while we had all hoped for the best, it was clear that his time was coming to an end.

    His time, however, as supreme pontiff was different, to say the very least. His recommitment to the church being a ‘church of the poor’ was profound and real. And while he could not make all the changes he wanted, he has, I believe, changed the Catholic Church for the better. His pontificate will be known as one committed to decency, human dignity, social justice and the raising of those on the margins of society. On behalf of the Renew Europe group. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe who are mourning over the loss – not just of their spiritual leader, but also of a man who lived each day committed to the service of the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable.

    In 2018, the people of Europe welcomed Pope Francis to our shores as we hosted the World Meeting of Families. Pope Francis was welcomed with open arms and with deep respect by my fellow citizens. To everyone elected in this Parliament and to parliaments across the world who claim to profess the Christian faith: I would urge you to listen to Pope Francis’s words and his teachings. There is nothing Christian about cheering when migrants drown in the seas. There is nothing Christian about making those in the margins fear for their safety just because they are different to us. Pope Francis’s death is a loss to us all. Whether we are Catholic, another kind of Christian, practice another religion or indeed are non-believers – his humanity transcended denominations. Society has lost a great leader and a great teacher with his passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

    		  
       


    		 

      Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group. – Madam President, Christianity and socialism might not share the closest link at first glance, but Pope Francis used his mandate to advance the Christian social doctrine that is also deeply rooted in socialist politics. The fight for social justice and against poverty – one of the cornerstones of Francis’s pontificate – remains a central responsibility for both the progressive Left and the progressive Church.

    Pope Francis has all my respect for always taking sides for the vulnerable and for defending humanity and human rights for all, regardless of origin, status, colour or belief. And, in an increasingly hostile world, Pope Francis’s voice has constantly been one of peace. Relentlessly, he called for an end of the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza. Every single day, he cared for the Palestinian civilians whose unjust suffering he felt painfully.

    Let us make his prayers for justice and peace a reality. Let’s the end politics of injustice and division. And I wish his successor all possible success in transforming the Catholic Church into a Church for the 21st century.

    I’d like to conclude, in a rather secular way – I’m sure he would have understood – farewell, Francis.

    		  
       

    		 

      René Aust, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrte Damen und Herren! Im Jahre 2013 suchten die Herren Kardinäle einen neuen Papst, und sie fanden ihn, wie er selbst sagte, am anderen Ende der Welt. Sie fanden einen streitbaren Hirten, einen Papst, der seine Kirche reformieren wollte und der wusste, dass echte Erneuerung im Herzen der Menschen beginnt. Über bestimmte Aspekte wie seinen Ansatz zum Synodalen Weg wird noch lange diskutiert werden. Doch dies ist nicht der Moment für Bewertungen – heute halten wir fest: Die Welt hat einen guten Menschen verloren – einen, der als Bischof von Rom diente, der nicht thronte, sondern tröstete.

    Sein Pontifikat war geprägt von seinen Erfahrungen als Seelsorger, von Bescheidenheit und dem Blick auf die Ärmsten. Möge Papst Franziskus in Frieden ruhen. Auch deshalb habe ich in der vergangenen Woche in der wunderschönen Kirche in Paris in Saint-Sulpice für ihn eine Kerze angezündet. Und mögen die Kardinäle im bevorstehenden Konklave eine weise Wahl treffen. Ich wünsche ihnen dabei Gottes Segen.

    		  

    4. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    		 

      President. – The minutes and the texts adopted of the sitting of 3 April are available. Are there any comments?

    I see that is not the case. Therefore they are approved.

    		  

    5. Announcement by the President (Rule 138(2))


    		 

      Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew). – Madam President, dear colleagues, on 19 March this year, the Commission put forward the SAFE regulation proposal and based it on Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, JURI considered the use of Article 122 of TFEU as the basis of the SAFE regulation proposal under Rule 138(2) of the Rules of Procedure.

    On 23 April, the committee unanimously decided that Article 122 was not the appropriate legal basis for the proposed regulation. JURI came to this conclusion after having considered the aim of the SAFE proposal and in the absence of proper justification by the Commission of the choice of the legal basis. JURI also observed that Article 122 contains two paragraphs, and each of those confers on the Council a distinct competence to adopt legal acts subject to specific conditions. However, the SAFE proposal is based on Article 122, and it entirely hangs on both paragraphs. The Commission fails to explain why both paragraphs should be relied upon as the legal basis. There is also no justification why other possible legal bases under the TFEU were discarded, in particular in the context of Article 122(1), which can only apply ‘without prejudice to any other procedures provided for in the treaties’.

    At the same time, although JURI discussed and analysed alternative legal bases which appear appropriate, such as Article 173(3) of the TFEU, it decided at this stage not to pronounce itself conclusively. It is enough to say at this point that JURI does consider that another legal basis under the treaties could be used, and therefore that the Union’s competence to act under a legal basis other than in Article 122 TFEU does exist.

    		  
       

    		 

      President. – Thank you very much, Mr Kyuchyuk. So I will write, in accordance with your argumentation, to the presidents of the Council and Commission to inform them of the procedure.

    		  

    6. Announcement by the President

    		 

      President. – This Wednesday at 10:30, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony on the Parvis Louise Weiss to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Then, at 11:30, there will be a further ceremony in this Chamber to mark this solemn occasion with a number of veterans.

    I invite you attend both of these events, and I truly count on your presence.

    		  

    7. Composition of Parliament

    		 

      President. – The competent authorities of Germany have notified me of the election of Volker Schnurrbusch to the European Parliament replacing Maximilian Krah with effect from 4 April 2025. I wish to welcome our new colleague and recall that he takes his seat in Parliament and on its bodies in full enjoyment of his rights pending the verification of his credentials.

    		  

    8. Request for waiver of immunity

    		 

      President. – I have received a request from the competent authorities in Hungary for the parliamentary immunity of Péter Magyar to be waived. The request is referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs.

    		  

    9. Request for the waiver of parliamentary immunity – closure of procedure

    		 

      President. – I have received a letter from the competent authorities in Belgium withdrawing the request for the waiver of the parliamentary immunity of Jaak Madison. The procedure is therefore closed.

    		  

    10. Composition of political groups

    		 

      President. – Malika Sorel is no longer a member of the PfE Group and sits with the non‑attached Members as of 19 April 2025.

    		  

    11. Composition of committees and delegations

    		 

      President. – The EPP and PfE groups have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. The decisions will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

    		  

    12. Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 72)

    		 

      President. – The LIBE, PECH and – jointly – the SEDE and ITRE committees have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 72(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The reports, which constitute the mandates for the negotiations, are available on the plenary webpage and their titles will be published in the minutes of the sitting.

    Pursuant to Rule 72(2), Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, Tuesday 6 May at midnight, that the decisions be put to the vote. If no request for a vote in Parliament is made before the expiry of that deadline, the committees may start the negotiations.

    		  

    13. Negotiations ahead of Council’s first reading (Rule 73)

    		 

      President. – The ENVI Committee has decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations ahead of the Council’s first reading, pursuant to Rule 73 of the Rules of Procedure. The position adopted by Parliament at first reading, which constitutes the mandate for those negotiations, is available on the plenary webpage, and its title will be published in the minutes of the sitting.

    		  

    14. Proposals for Union acts

    		 

      President. – I would like to announce that, pursuant to Rule 47(2) of the Rules of Procedure, I have declared admissible a proposal for a Union act repealing Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC. This proposal is referred to the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, as the committee responsible, and to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, for an opinion.

    		  

    15. Signature of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 81)

    		 

      President. – I would like to inform you that, since the adjournment of Parliament’s session on 3 April, I have signed, together with the President of the Council, three acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure in accordance with Rule 81 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.

    I would also like to inform you that on Wednesday, I shall sign, together with the President of the Council, another three acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure.

    The titles of the acts will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

    		  

    16. Order of business

    		 

      President. – I would like to inform you that I have received the following requests for urgent procedure pursuant to Rule 170(6):

    – from the ECR Group, and jointly from the EPP, S&D and Renew groups, on the following legislative file: CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027;

    – from the ENVI Committee on the following legislative file: The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus);

    – from the ECON Committee: amendments to the Capital Requirements Regulation as regards securities financing transactions under the net stable funding ratio.

    The vote on these requests will be taken tomorrow.

    Now I would like to inform the House that I have received requests for points of order. I will start by giving the floor to Bas Eickhout.

    ⁂

    		  
       


    		 

      Katrin Langensiepen (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Heute ist der Europäische Protesttag zur Gleichstellung von Menschen mit Behinderung, und hier reden wir über 100 Millionen Menschen mit Behinderungen in der Europäischen Union. Da habe ich eine schlechte und eine gute Nachricht: Alle Mitgliedstaaten haben bei der Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention komplett versagt. Noch immer haben Menschen mit Behinderungen keinen gleichberechtigten Zugang zum Wahllokal, zum Recht auf Wahl, zu selbstbestimmtem Leben, gleichberechtigter Teilhabe, wenn es um Bildung, Arbeit und Entlohnung geht.

    Das habe nicht ich mir ausgedacht, das hat sich die UNO ausgedacht, und die UNO hat es festgehalten und hat die EU dafür massiv gerügt. Wir sind immer noch nicht gut, wenn es um die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention geht. Aber ich habe auch eine gute Nachricht: Wir können es besser machen. Heute ist der Europäische Protesttag von 100 Millionen Menschen mit Behinderungen – Frauen, Kindern, Geflüchteten, Menschen, die queere Personen sind, die intersektional betroffen sind. Da ist es ein Menschenrecht – ich weiß, Menschenrechte sind gerade nicht der heiße Scheiß in diesem Haus –, aber wir müssen uns endlich um die Menschenrechte kümmern, wenn wir Wettbewerbsfähigkeit halten wollen und gleichberechtigt teilhaben wollen.

    		  
       




    		 

      Hilde Vautmans (Renew). – Madam President, colleagues, I would like to make this point of order, because 25 April marked the ninth anniversary since Swedish-Iranian academic Ahmad Reza Djalali was arrested in Iran.

    In October 2017, he was sentenced to death after a grossly unfair trial. He is currently, colleagues, the longest standing EU citizen held hostage by the Iranian authorities, and as a consequence of years in prison, malnutrition, not being given the medical care he needed and torture, his situation is really serious. He said in a video: ‘I am at my breaking point’.

    So, colleagues, on this heartbreaking anniversary, I call on you, Madam President, and all my colleagues to take action and repeat our call: we ask for the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Djalali, just like we voted for here in this House.

    		  
       


    		 

      Özlem Demirel, im Namen der Fraktion The Left. – Frau Präsidentin! Am 2. Mai wurde das Schiff der NGO Freedom Flotilla in internationalen Gewässern in der Nähe Maltas von zwei Kriegsdrohnen mehrfach angegriffen. An Bord des Schiffes befanden sich 30 Aktivistinnen und Aktivisten und humanitäre Helfer. Mit ihnen dabei Lebensmittel, Medikamente, Hilfsgüter für das von Israels Krieg gebeutelte Volk in Gaza. Der Angriff löste ein Feuer an Bord aus. Die Besatzung sendete einen Notruf. Doch der nahe gelegene Inselstaat Malta ignorierte dies zunächst einmal und reagierte nicht sofort.

    Kolleginnen und Kollegen, was hier passiert ist, ist ein äußerst schwerwiegender, inakzeptabler Vorfall! Sowohl der militärische Angriff auf ein ziviles Schiff als auch die Missachtung des internationalen Rechts ist inakzeptabel. Deshalb beantragen wir eine Debatte dazu, und wir fordern auch die Kommission zu einer Stellungnahme zu diesem Vorgang auf. Kolleginnen und Kollegen, zu Beginn der Debatte haben Sie den Papst Franziskus gewürdigt. Wenn Sie gleich abstimmen, denken Sie bitte daran, wie der Papst jetzt abstimmen würde.

    		  
       

    		 

      President. – I will give the floor to any colleague who would like to speak against. I see no one does, so we will vote by roll call.

    (Parliament rejected the request)

    So the agenda is unchanged.

    Also for Wednesday, the Greens Group has requested that a Commission statement on ‘EU response to the Israeli Government’s plan to seize the Gaza strip and promote the so-called “voluntary departure” of Gazans’ be added in the afternoon before the debates under Rule 150. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended until 23:00.

    I give the floor to Mounir Satouri to move the request on behalf of the Greens Group.

    		  
       

    		 

      Mounir Satouri, au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Madame la Présidente, cette nuit, le cabinet de sécurité israélien a approuvé un plan offensif. Il vise à s’emparer de toute la bande de Gaza et à s’y installer indéfiniment. Ce plan vise aussi à organiser des départs soi-disant volontaires de la population de Gaza. Ce sont en réalité des déplacements forcés de population.

    Sur le plan politique, nous avons, c’est vrai, des divergences. Mais nous sommes une majorité, ici, à être attachés à la solution à deux États. Cette décision du gouvernement israélien remet en cause de manière définitive la perspective de cette solution à deux États. L’accaparement du territoire est inacceptable. Cela viole toutes les règles du droit international. Notre Parlement ne peut rester muet.

    Je demande un débat sans résolution qui porte le titre «Déclaration de la haute représentante/vice-présidente sur la réponse de l’UE au projet du gouvernement israélien de s’emparer de la bande de Gaza et de promouvoir le soi-disant départ volontaire des Gazaouis».

    Chers collègues, avec cette proposition, ce Parlement a pour une fois la capacité d’être dans le bon timing et d’être au rendez-vous pour rappeler son attachement au droit international.

    		  
       












    		 

      Iratxe García Pérez (S&D). – Madam President, only one question: I would like to ask, please, the services to give the group leaders and the groups all the information, very clearly, about this from the beginning, because if we have information that, for example, this debate will be for the May II plenary, and we decide as a group to support it in May II, it’s so difficult now to take a decision about this time. Only to clarify, we as the S&D Group wanted this debate for May II.

    		  
       


    		 

      Γεάδης Γεάδη, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας ECR. – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, με βάση το Πρωτόκολλο 10 της Συνθήκης Προσχώρησης της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, αυτή εντάχθηκε εδαφικά στην ολότητά της στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, με αναστολή της εφαρμογής του κεκτημένου στις περιοχές όπου δεν ασκεί αποτελεσματικό έλεγχο, συνεπεία της τουρκικής εισβολής και συνεχιζόμενης παράνομης κατοχής.

    Δυστυχώς, το περασμένο Σάββατο αφίχθηκε στην παράνομη αποσχιστική οντότητα στην Κύπρο —στο ψευδοκράτος, ο Tayyip Erdoğan, στέλνοντας μήνυμα εδραίωσης της κατοχής, βάζοντας —όπως δήλωσε— «μία ακόμη σφραγίδα της Τουρκίας στο νησί».

    Η στάση του Τούρκου προέδρου όχι μόνο δεν δείχνει τον απαιτούμενο σεβασμό απέναντι στις αρχές και τις αξίες που πρεσβεύει η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, αλλά δείχνει και απαξίωση σε ολόκληρη την ευρωπαϊκή οικογένεια, αφού αποτελεί ξεκάθαρη πρόκληση, παραβίαση του διεθνούς δικαίου και της διεθνούς νομιμότητας. Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο επιβάλλεται να αντιδράσει, καταδικάζοντας με τον πιο έντονο τρόπο.

    Ως εκ τούτου, παρακαλώ όπως γίνει αποδεκτό το αίτημα για εγγραφή του θέματος με τίτλο «Η παράνομη επίσκεψη του προέδρου Erdoğan στις κατεχόμενες περιοχές της Κύπρου και οι κλιμακούμενες απειλές ενάντια στην Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία».

    		  
       





    		 

      President. – OK, so let me get this clear. We’re going to vote on the debate with the title as amended by the S&D Group which was accepted by the ECR Group. What is not clear to me is whether the S&D would want the debate on Wednesday or on Thursday. You say Wednesday? OK, Wednesday. Fine. We’ll do it on Wednesday. We just add to our debates on Wednesday.

    So we vote first by roll call on adding the statements.

    (Parliament approved the request)

    Now we vote by roll call on whether we will have a resolution.

    (Parliament rejected the request)

    We will see with Mr Mavrides what he meant and how we can do it.

    Thank you very much. The agenda is adopted. Have a good week.

    		  
       

       

    (The sitting was briefly suspended)

    		  
       

       

    PRESIDENZA: ANTONELLA SBERNA
    Vicepresidente

    		  

    17. Resumption of the sitting

       

    (La seduta è ripresa alle 17:52)

    		  

    18. Preparation of the EU-UK summit (debate)


    		 

      Adam Szłapka, President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, honourable Members, Mr Commissioner, with European security being the top priority of the Polish Presidency, we are striving to exploit the full potential of the EU’s relations with the United Kingdom.

    Last March, the Council exchanged views on the state of play. The upcoming first EU‑UK summit will provide a unique opportunity to strengthen our relationship. We are like‑minded partners, allies and good neighbours. Therefore, we are very much welcoming the EU governments’ approach, seeking to further strengthen our relations.

    We work together from sanctions against Russia to support for Ukraine through security summits and joint diplomatic efforts. The ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, and our joint support for Ukraine, is a strong reminder of why our unity matters more than ever.

    At the summit, we will seek to reaffirm our mutual commitment to the full, faithful and timely implementation of our agreements, including rights of our citizens. At the same time, there is still untapped potential and room for improvement in our relations. Ahead of the upcoming EU‑UK summit, the Council presidencies work closely with the Commission to identify and explore areas for deepening our cooperation.

    A whole range of areas will be discussed with our British hosts during the summit: security and defence; sanitary and phytosanitary rules for agricultural products; stronger cooperation on energy; access to waters for EU fishermen; and opportunities for young people to live, work and study across the border. Together we are working on a package in key areas that will bring tangible benefits to citizens and businesses on both sides of the Channel. Let me stress that our partnership is about more than just trade flows: it’s about people.

    Madam President, honourable Members, Commissioner, we should not forget about some challenges that remain. The situation in Northern Ireland requires careful monitoring, as does the situation of Union citizens that live in the United Kingdom.

    In the relations with the UK, we are following the principles, among which there are the indivisibility of our four freedoms, safeguarding the integrity of our single market and customs union, and protecting the autonomy of the Union’s decision‑making. These guiding principles remain relevant. We will carry them forward, united and speaking with one voice.

    At the same time, the Government of the United Kingdom reaffirmed its position of not rejoining the single market, the customs union and on the free movement of people. Within these parameters, leaders will engage pragmatically and respectfully at the summit. We are confident to achieve solid results for moving ahead with the strengthening of our relations with the United Kingdom.

    A final word on the parliamentary dimension of EU‑UK relations. To underline the importance that the Council attaches to the input of this House in this process, achieving a mutually beneficial partnership between the EU and our British partners is a shared goal of the EU institutions. Let us continue to exchange on how to make this partnership stronger.

    		  
       

    		 

      Maroš Šefčovič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, Honourable Minister, Honourable Members of the European Parliament, I am happy to participate in today’s plenary debate on the preparation of the EU‑UK summit. As you will be aware, we have been working intensely with our UK partners to prepare for the summit on 19 May. As you well know, this will be the first such summit at leaders‑level since the UK left the EU, and it marks an important milestone in our post-Brexit relationship.

    President von der Leyen has met with UK Prime Minister Starmer on several occasions over the last few months, including most recently in London on 24 April. They have agreed that the summit offers an opportunity to strengthen EU‑UK cooperation across a number of areas, and it is clear that both sides want to deliver a positive summit. Exploratory discussions with the United Kingdom on a broad range of issues have taken place over the past weeks. This is part of an ongoing process which will further take shape at the summit and beyond.

    The EU and the UK are like‑minded partners, and in recent times we have worked closely together on shared challenges, notably in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Given that we live in an increasingly uncertain and complex geopolitical environment, it is all the more important that we continue to cooperate in this manner. For our part, we see three broad areas where there is scope to further develop the EU‑UK relationship.

    Firstly, security and resilience. This includes deeper and more structured cooperation between the EU and the UK as close partners and like‑minded allies in the face of unprecedented geopolitical challenges in our neighbourhood. This means defence and security will likely be a focus of the summit.

    Secondly, something very important to this House: people‑to‑people contacts, which includes rebuilding bridges for our young people. This reflects our long‑standing policy of putting citizens at the heart of EU‑UK relations.

    Thirdly, the protection of our planet and its resources. We aim to consolidate and advance cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary matters, sustainable fisheries, climate and energy. We are working with our United Kingdom partners in pursuit of a balanced package that delivers tangible benefits to citizens across the EU and the United Kingdom.

    Madam President, Honourable Members, while we are committed to strengthening our relations with the United Kingdom, we continue to insist on the full, timely and faithful implementation of our existing agreements – the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. These agreements are the cornerstone of our bilateral relations and form a solid foundation for our cooperation. As regards the Withdrawal Agreement, last week, I co-chaired a meeting of the Joint Committee in London with my UK counterpart, Nick Thomas-Symonds. This was an important step on the road to the summit. Together, we expressed a clear commitment to the full, timely and faithful implementation of the agreement in all its parts. We welcomed the important progress made in the areas of citizens rights as regards the true and extra cohort, and on the Windsor Framework as regards parcels and customs arrangements.

    Nevertheless, further work remains to be done on the other systemic citizens’ rights issues and on the Windsor Framework, for example on SPS. As regards the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, it remains the most ambitious free trade agreement the EU has concluded with any third country, and it responds to the UK Government’s red lines, which remain in place. But this does not mean that we cannot more fully exploit the potential of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and look at what more it has to offer. It does not mean that we cannot further develop our cooperation in the areas I mentioned previously. On the contrary, there is much we can still do together to strengthen our relationship.

    The first EU‑UK summit will therefore be an important moment to do just that. I am looking forward to hearing your views during this debate, and of course I will be very happy to answer your questions. Thank you very much, Madam President.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nina Carberry, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, Commissioner, since arriving in Parliament, I’ve been struck by an assumption often made here that Brexit is a settled matter. In reality, its consequences continue to shape political and economic life in Ireland, the UK and across Europe. Anticipation is building ahead of the upcoming EU‑UK summit on 19 May, and in a world where economic stability, security and trade openness matter more than ever, the EU and the UK have everything to gain from resetting relations.

    Although the TCA lays a crucial foundation, the world has changed considerably since its signing four years ago. It remains a framework that can and should be built upon. A comprehensive veterinary agreement would be an immediate and impactful step forward, unlocking significant opportunities for farmers and agri‑food businesses. Progress on mutual recognition for professional qualifications would have major benefits. In the same way, bringing the UK closer to Erasmus+ would be an undeniable win for students and apprentices.

    In an era where tackling climate change requires coordinated global efforts, closer alignment on emissions trading schemes would be a logical step to prevent carbon leakage. Closer integration of electricity markets and fully harnessing the North Sea’s potential would enhance energy security, reduce consumer costs, increase resilience to external shocks and support progress towards net zero.

    Stabilising the EU‑UK relationship will bolster both peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland. As 19 May draws near, we are presented with a historic opportunity, one that should serve as a foundation for an ambitious and forward‑looking agenda. This is our moment to reshape a new chapter in EU‑UK relations.

    		  
       

    		 

      Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, as the world feels more fragile than ever, the upcoming UK‑EU summit cannot be a photo opportunity. It is a chance to show what kind of Europe and what kind of world we want to build. Trump’s foreign policy is rooted in egomania. As the US steps back, Europe and the UK must step forward; we must stand in solidarity with Ukraine and in defence of freedom and democracy. But our values mean nothing if we apply them selectively. In Gaza, international law is being torn apart as children are bombed and starved. Their blood drips from the hands of EU and UK leaders. We should know better.

    For decades, the UK and the EU worked as one to build a fairer, better and more peaceful Europe. Nowhere was that more true than in Northern Ireland. Brexit took the people of the North out of the EU against their will. Northern Ireland needs an enhanced voice in the EU, given its unique citizenship rights, its automatic right to re‑accede, and its obligations under EU law. The UK Government needs to seize the opportunity of a new EU relationship, not cower in the face of Farage’s fads army. Failure is not an option.

    		  
       

    		 

      Matthieu Valet, au nom du groupe PfE. – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Ministre, Monsieur le Commissaire, mes chers collègues, ici, nous devons être concrets, donc je vais vous parler de manière concrète du pays dont je suis élu, la France, et de ma région de France. Mes compatriotes de Calais, de Boulogne-sur-Mer et de Dunkerque n’en peuvent plus. Enfant du Nord, je ne reconnais plus ce si beau littoral du Pas-de-Calais transformé en Alcatraz pour lutter contre l’immigration irrégulière et les clandestins. N’en déplaise à l’extrême gauche, les passeurs sont des mafieux et des assassins. En 2024, 82 migrants sont morts dans la Manche pour avoir voulu rejoindre la Grande-Bretagne.

    Que dire des accords du Touquet? C’est un fiasco! La France dépense un demi-milliard d’euros par an pour protéger une frontière qui n’est pas la sienne. Policiers, CRS, gendarmes mobiles sont engagés sur le littoral: autant d’effectifs en moins pour lutter dans nos villes, dans nos campagnes, contre l’ensauvagement, contre les narcotrafiquants qui gangrènent mon pays.

    Lors du prochain sommet, l’Europe doit être courageuse aux côtés de la France, face aux Britanniques. Dites à la Grande-Bretagne: «Tu es une grande fille, tu ne dois plus délocaliser ta frontière en France et, comme une grande, tu dois gérer, comme tous les grands pays du monde, tes migrations, tes problèmes et ta frontière.» Je dis donc à ce grand pays ami: «Non, la France ne peut pas accueillir et gérer toute la misère du monde, elle a déjà fort à faire avec les siens.»

    Je compte sur la Commission et sur la Pologne pour aider notre grand pays à lutter contre ces migrations, notamment en affirmant que la Grande-Bretagne doit gérer aujourd’hui seule ces problèmes puisque la France n’y arrive plus.

    		  
       

    		 

      Kris Van Dijck, namens de ECR-Fractie. – Voorzitter, ik blijf een sterke voorstander van nauwe, pragmatische en op wederzijds respect gebaseerde betrekkingen tussen de Europese Unie en het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Mijn delegatie heeft zich in het verleden altijd consequent verzet tegen elke vorm van strafmaatregel jegens het Verenigd Koninkrijk, nadat het land de soevereine keuze maakte om de EU te verlaten. We betreuren evenwel de Brexit.

    Ik verwelkom het aangekondigde streven van de Britse regering naar een reset van de relatie met de EU. Hoewel ik het jammer vind dat het Verenigd Koninkrijk hierdoor niet naar onze interne markt of naar onze douane-unie zal terugkeren, geloof ik dat het van cruciaal belang is om onze samenwerking te versterken en enkele struikelblokken weg te werken.

    Ik pleit specifiek voor een nieuwe veiligheidsovereenkomst waarmee onze samenwerking op het gebied van defensie, cyberveiligheid en het delen van inlichtingen wordt versterkt. Ten tweede moeten we een overeenkomst sluiten om de sanitaire en fytosanitaire controles aan de grenzen efficiënter te maken. Dit zou een concrete win-winsituatie opleveren voor onze landbouwers, bedrijven en consumenten. Ten derde hoop ik dat het Verenigd Koninkrijk zich opnieuw bij het Erasmusprogramma zal aansluiten. Ten vierde moet het positieve momentum worden benut om de samenwerking op het gebied van energie, visserij en kernfusieonderzoek te versterken. Dit geldt ook voor mijn eerdere pleidooi om de JET-kernfusiereactor (Joint European Torus) te behouden. Tot slot moeten we de mobiliteit van artiesten en inwoners van beide regio’s vergemakkelijken. Het is van groot belang dat onze burgers, jongeren maar ook ouderen, weer gemakkelijk kunnen reizen.

    Laat deze top het begin zijn van een volwassen partnerschap tussen twee gelijkwaardige bondgenoten, gebaseerd op gedeelde belangen, wederzijds vertrouwen en een gezamenlijk engagement voor vrijheid en veiligheid.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sandro Gozi, au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Ministre, Monsieur le Commissaire, cher Maroš, le sommet UE-Royaume-Uni du 19 mai doit être un tournant. Les événements à Kiev, Washington ou Gaza ont déjà changé le monde et nous voyons dans plusieurs pays surgir des acteurs extrémistes qui se pensent comme des Churchill, alors qu’ils agissent comme des nouveaux Chamberlain.

    Face à ces bouleversements et ces dangers, un nouveau partenariat stratégique euro-britannique s’impose. Mais, pour avancer, il faut avant tout une base solide, la confiance: construire la confiance, respecter pleinement les accords existants et les enrichir avec de nouvelles opportunités pour la défense et la jeunesse, l’intelligence artificielle et le climat, et, surtout, trouver des solutions concrètes sur les dossiers encore ouverts, comme la pêche et l’énergie.

    C’est ce que nous avons demandé dans la recommandation votée lors de l’Assemblée parlementaire UE-Royaume-Uni, en mars, en vue de ce sommet. Sur cette base, nous devons repenser l’architecture de sécurité en Europe et travailler ensemble sur la scène globale pour une nouvelle alliance des démocraties.

    		  
       

    		 

      Pär Holmgren, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, this upcoming EU‑UK summit of course offers an opportunity to rebuild bridges and strengthen cooperation, which is really crucial given the current turbulent times. But it’s also highly beneficial from a long‑term strategic perspective. We, as Greens, recognise the mutual benefit of knowledge‑sharing and research collaboration, and we warmly welcome the UK’s re-entry into Horizon Europe. However, we would also like to see similar developments in Erasmus+, to give young people a chance to study and work on either side of the channel. We therefore call on the Commission and the UK Government to be proactive in restoring and strengthening such programmes.

    We would also like to see a better regulatory dynamic between the EU and the UK, for example, the better alignment of biosecurity border controls and the emissions trading schemes to endorse sustainability practices and to facilitate trade.

    Last but not least, as you all know, there is a war on European soil. Geopolitical tensions are growing in many, many corners of the world, and humanity is threatened by an escalating climate crisis. We cannot be wasting time and resources conducting parallel research on both sides of the channel, and we cannot be wasting an opportunity to foster a sense of unity among the future generations of Europe. So let this summit be a starting point for a deepening relationship between the EU and the UK for the benefit of all.

    		  
       

    		 

      David McAllister (PPE). – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, as previous speakers have already mentioned, the upcoming EU‑UK summit marks a pivotal moment to recalibrate our partnership. Ever since the Windsor Framework, agreed in March 2023, we have seen greater political stability in our relations. The much anticipated EU Security and Defence Pact could be a real milestone. Enhanced cooperation in military mobility, joint research and development, and cyber resilience – this is all urgently needed. The EU and the UK should rise to the occasion and ensure an agreement that also fosters deeper cooperation on intelligence sharing, sanctions coordination as well as foreign information manipulation and interference.

    Yet, a mature partnership should go beyond security and defence. The Commission has put substantial proposals on the table on everything from energy to youth mobility. We should deepen cooperation in further key sectors: energy interconnectivity and offshore renewables in the North Sea, financial services through regulatory equivalence, and a pragmatic sustainable fisheries arrangement for the time after 2026. As for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the TCA is due for review next year. Long‑term stability in our relations is more important than ever. Commissioner Šefčovič, we look forward to discussing the outcome of this summit with you in the Foreign Affairs Committee.

    		  
       

    		 

      Γιάννης Μανιάτης (S&D). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, η εκλογή Trump στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες έχει αλλάξει τις παγκόσμιες ισορροπίες. Για να μπορέσει να αντεπεξέλθει η Ευρώπη στις γεωπολιτικές προκλήσεις, όπως είναι ο πόλεμος στην Ουκρανία, η κρίση στη Μέση Ανατολή και η εξάλειψη των αμερικανικών εγγυήσεων ασφαλείας για την ήπειρό μας, πρέπει να ενισχύσει τις σχέσεις της με εταίρους με τους οποίους έχει κοινές αρχές και αξίες, όπως είναι το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, ο Καναδάς, η Αυστραλία, η Ιαπωνία.

    Εννέα χρόνια μετά το δημοψήφισμα για το Brexit και την καταστροφική διακυβέρνηση των Συντηρητικών, η εκλογή των Εργατικών δημιουργεί μια νέα ευκαιρία. Η επικείμενη σύνοδος Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης – Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου μπορεί να αποτελέσει το πρώτο βήμα για την εξεύρεση ενός θεσμικού πλαισίου που θα επιτρέψει την εμβάθυνση της συνεργασίας μας, ιδιαίτερα σε τομείς όπως είναι η ασφάλεια, η άμυνα, το εμπόριο, η κλιματική αλλαγή και η ενέργεια, όπως και οι ευκαιρίες για τους νέους μας. Σε αυτή την κατεύθυνση πρέπει να κινηθούμε.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ernő Schaller-Baross (PfE). – Elnök Asszony! A közelgő londoni EU-Egyesült Királyság csúcstalálkozó rendkívüli lehetőséget kínál számunkra, hogy kapcsolatainkat új, erősebb alapokra helyezzük. Sajnálatos módon az elmúlt időszakban nem tudtuk maradéktalanul kihasználni a rendelkezésünkre álló lehetőséget, és úgy tűnt, hogy az EU inkább büntetni próbálta a briteket döntésükért, mintsem konstruktív párbeszédet folytatott volna velük.

    Most azonban elérkezett az idő, hogy pragmatikus, hatékony alapokra helyezzük az együttműködésünket. Közösen dolgozunk ki olyan egyezményeket, amelyek valóban a jövőnket formálják. Fontos hangsúlyozni, hogy a briteken kívül az amerikai partnereinkkel is folyamatosan tárgyalnunk kell, és olyan megoldásokra van szükség, amelyek minden fél számára előnyösek és tartósak. Az együttműködés kulcsa a kölcsönös tiszteleten és közös érdekeken alapuló partnerség, amely hosszútávon biztosíthatja Európa stabilitását és sikerét. A következő hónapok döntőek lesznek abban, hogy hogyan alakítjuk közösen a jövőnket.

    		  
       

    		 

      Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR). – Madam President, dear colleagues, Mr Commissioner, the upcoming first EU-United Kingdom summit after Brexit is an opportunity to open a new chapter in rebuilding our relationship. The most important issue to be addressed is, above all, cooperation in the field of defence. European defence policy is not possible without the United Kingdom.

    In the face of global threats, we need a joint response to hybrid challenges, cybersecurity and the protection of our borders. Our key topics include a mobility programme for young people, trade issues, as well as the fight against illegal immigration. One of the most troubling consequences of Brexit for young people was the UK’s withdrawal from the Erasmus+ programme. I therefore welcome plans for new solutions regarding youth mobility.

    Brexit has changed the formal framework of our relationship, but it has not broken the bonds between us. We must do everything we can to make everyday life easier – we cannot allow political or bureaucratic obstacles to make it harder. We need cooperation based on trust and concrete solutions, cooperation with a response to take needs of people on both sides of the English Channel.

    		  
       

    		 

      Barry Cowen (Renew). – Madam President, colleagues, as we look ahead to the upcoming summit, I want to commend the Commission for its ongoing efforts to strengthen our relationship with the UK. Despite the challenges posed by Brexit, the UK remains a valued and like‑minded partner of the EU in the face of global challenges. In light of the recent tariff decisions by the US, it is more important than ever to deepen our engagement with our British neighbours. I urge the Commission to be ambitious in our dialogue with the UK, to work to align our trade regulations and enhance cooperation on energy, particularly on offshore wind and grid infrastructure, and, of course, to preserve the Common Travel Area.

    Above all, our united and unwavering support for Ukraine must remain a central priority. With that said, any lasting partnership must begin with the full implementation of existing agreements, including the Windsor Framework. The unique status of Northern Ireland must be protected in all future negotiations, and the peace and stability secured by the Good Friday Agreement must never, ever be taken for granted. Only through trust, cooperation and mutual respect can we secure a prosperous future for both EU and UK citizens alike.

    		  
       

    		 

      Malika Sorel (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, les crises actuelles le démontrent, l’histoire ne s’efface pas d’un trait de plume. Le Royaume-Uni a quitté l’Union européenne, mais il demeure européen. Washington menace de se distancer de l’Europe, aussitôt la France et le Royaume-Uni se retrouvent et prennent la tête d’un engagement pour la sécurité européenne.

    En matière de coopération, beaucoup de progrès ont été faits, mais certains domaines restent en suspens, tels que la mobilité des citoyens, en particulier des jeunes. Plutôt que l’approche purement comptable, le Royaume-Uni doit considérer la richesse humaine et culturelle que permet Erasmus. C’est le vœu de nos collègues britanniques que nous avions reçus récemment ici, dans notre Parlement.

    Pour notre compétitivité, nous devons intégrer, dans nos alliances, les universités britanniques de sciences et technologie.

    Concernant l’intelligence artificielle, les Britanniques sont pragmatiques et souhaitent avancer très vite en unissant nos efforts. Nous devons tempérer notre obsession réglementaire en la matière.

    Dernier point: l’immigration. Plusieurs pays de l’Union subissent les conséquences d’un appel d’air créé par le laxisme d’employeurs britanniques. Ce sujet doit être traité.

    Chers collègues, œuvrons à une relation confiante, équilibrée, tournée vers l’avenir.

    		  
       

    		 

      Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE). – Señora presidenta, el nuevo contexto internacional —con inclusión de la guerra de agresión rusa contra Ucrania y el cambio de la Administración en Washington— hace muy conveniente reforzar la cooperación en política exterior y de defensa con el Reino Unido. Necesitamos un marco profundo e institucionalizado de cooperación en este ámbito.

    Fue una lástima que, por negativa de los conservadores británicos, este capítulo quedase fuera del Acuerdo de Comercio y Cooperación. Yo espero que la cumbre del día 19 produzca avances sustanciales en este sentido, y también en otros temas de mutuo interés como, por ejemplo, la movilidad de los jóvenes, la energía, la mayor agilización de los intercambios comerciales y la pesca.

    Me detengo brevemente en este último punto: el llamado «periodo de ajuste» de los últimos cinco años ha supuesto un importante recorte de capturas para la flota europea. A partir de 2026 no deben producirse nuevos cambios. Necesitamos previsibilidad y estabilidad para la flota europea. Quiero recordar una vez más que, aunque es verdad que barcos europeos pescan en aguas británicas, también es cierto que el mercado europeo es el que recibe la gran mayoría de las exportaciones británicas de productos del mar.

    Termino con una pregunta: señor comisario, ¿puede decirnos algo sobre en qué situación se encuentran las larguísimas negociaciones con el Reino Unido respecto de Gibraltar?

    		  
       




    		 

      Nathalie Loiseau (Renew). – Madam President, dear British friends. The EU-UK summit gives us the historic opportunity to repair our relationship. There are thousands of good reasons to do it, whereas there was none to damage old ties in the first place.

    We share the same aspirations and face the same challenges on both sides of the channel. All leaders have expressed political will to work more and better together. Now is the time to turn words into deeds.

    A credible European defence must partner with the UK as a priority, building on the coalition of the willing for Ukraine. Let’s make it happen.

    Let’s also prioritise the young generations in our decisions. Since Brexit, London deprives itself of talented young Europeans for no reason. Let’s build a youth mobility scheme.

    Every side has to make efforts. We must be more welcoming towards British touring artists. You, dear British friends, must be more welcoming towards European fishermen. Because in both cases, it would make only winners and no losers.

    Dear British friends, it is time to get out of splendid isolation and to enjoy again a European entente cordiale.

    		  
       


    		 

      Thijs Reuten (S&D). – Madam President, colleagues, Commissioner, Council, in today’s geopolitical reality, we need to stand together with our best friends, and the EU and the UK are each other’s best friends. We have to join forces to preserve our freedom, democracy and security – these core values, which were re‑established with the UK’s strong involvement also 80 years ago. As today we celebrate Liberation Day in the Netherlands, I want to thank our British liberators for their incredible contribution in this regard.

    A united Europe is needed more than ever to face today’s challenges. Being a member of the EU or not should be insignificant in this. We cannot be driven apart. The upcoming summit is an excellent opportunity to turn the page and to reshape our future and relationship for our citizens, for Europe. This should start with a new formal security and defence partnership to protect our people, strengthen our deterrence and ensure stability in Europe. Let’s get this done together.

    		  
       

    		 

      Elisabeth Dieringer (PfE). – Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen, geschätzte Bürger! Ich begrüße es ausdrücklich, dass die Vertreter der Europäischen Union sich nun anders verhalten als in der letzten Zeit, ja vielleicht – bildlich gesprochen – auch von ihrem hohen Ross herabsteigen und auch persönliche Befindlichkeiten hintanstellen. Man erkennt wohl nun, dass Großbritannien auch nach dem EU-Austritt keineswegs so geschwächt dasteht, wie man es sich vielleicht auch erhofft hat, und dass europäische Unternehmen sowie besonders junge EU‑Bürger weiterhin nach England streben. Ein Grund dafür: Vier der zehn besten Universitäten der Welt stehen im Vereinigten Königreich, keine einzige davon in der EU. Für EU‑Bürger sind die Studiengebühren dort inzwischen zwei- bis dreimal so hoch wie vor dem Brexit, und in der EU gibt es kaum gleichwertige Alternativen.

    Doch es geht nicht nur um Studienplätze. Junge Menschen aus Europa möchten im Vereinigten Königreich leben, lernen, arbeiten – und stoßen auf Visapflicht, Sponsorship‑Systeme und einen Dschungel aus Bürokratie. Die EU hat hier einen wesentlichen Teil ihrer Jugendpolitik preisgegeben. Es gilt daher nun, den Brexit als Realität anzusehen, als demokratische Realität. Unsere Antworten sollten daher nicht in der Vergangenheit sein, sondern auf die Zukunft ausgerichtet.

    		  
       

    		 

      Barry Andrews (Renew). – Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, I made my very first speech in the hemicycle in February 2020, and I called on the Commission to treat the UK not as a rival but as a partner. Given that we had two more years of Boris Johnson to deal with, that was probably a tall order. But, I believe, together with the voices of so many Members today in this debate, that we need to go even beyond partnership and talk about a like-minded strategic ally.

    I believe the time has long passed to continue to punish the UK for Brexit, or to make an example of the UK, to discourage them. I believe that way of thinking is long over, and I believe it’s a very much a minority view among in the European Commission.

    So, we need to approach the TCA review from a position of maximum ambition, including, obviously, SPS, the emissions trading scheme and youth mobility. We need to widen the scope to include finance, given the questions raised about the role of the US.

    I believe it is in our towering mutual interest to work together to make our respective economies as strong as possible.

    		  
       

    		 

      Željana Zovko (PPE). – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the summit of 19 May represents a unique opportunity to deepen our cooperation with the UK in areas such as defence, trade, foreign affairs and energy. We urgently need to enhance our partnership with the UK on security and strategic questions. However, in our dialogue with the UK, we must take into account the problems of every Member States, and notably the interest of coastal countries. We must make clear that the strengthening of our relations with the UK must lead to a win‑win outcome. Moreover, the UK Government must understand that for relations to be solid, it needs to be transparent. In this regard, we need clarification on the reasons why the UK Government is not willing to cooperate more with the European Union in the Western Balkans. Only by having in mind this transparent and mutually beneficial approach will we be able to take momentum of a reset in our relations.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ana Catarina Mendes (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Comissário, Senhor Ministro, eu sou das otimistas que acreditam que o Reino Unido ainda voltará a fazer parte da União Europeia. É por isso que vejo com muito bons olhos a próxima parceria, e sobretudo a próxima parceria porque deve ser uma parceria estratégica e o reforço das relações entre a União Europeia e o Reino Unido.

    Se é verdade que já avançámos muito no Acordo de Parceria Económica, que tem sido absolutamente essencial para reforçar os nossos laços económicos, não é menos verdade que o Reino Unido tem dado sinais, neste momento de instabilidade, sinais muito fortes de presença na definição da política de defesa e segurança na Europa. E é absolutamente essencial que mantenhamos esta relação com o Reino Unido — ela é estratégica, ela é antiga, ela é absolutamente essencial.

    Mas, se é verdade que estamos perante as novas ameaças, e estes são dois sinais muito bons, não é menos verdade, Senhor Comissário, que aquilo que peço aqui hoje, neste plenário, é que voltemos a trazer os jovens para o programa Erasmus. Façamos da cultura uma prioridade também na nossa relação com o Reino Unido, fazendo derrubar as barreiras que ainda existem na mobilidade dos nossos artistas.

    Uma Europa de valores é uma Europa que partilha também a educação e a cultura — é isto que peço à Comissão neste momento.

    		  
       

    		 

      Michał Szczerba (PPE). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Wysoka Izbo! Wspólna odpowiedzialność za bezpieczeństwo kontynentu wyznacza kierunek naszych relacji z Wielką Brytanią. Szczyt Unii Europejskiej i Wielkiej Brytanii, zaplanowany na 19 maja, musi być impulsem do sformalizowania strategicznej współpracy w dziedzinie obronności, produkcji uzbrojenia, bezpieczeństwa energetycznego i ochrony infrastruktury krytycznej. Stawiając na nowe partnerstwa, Unia Europejska realizuje cele polskiej prezydencji. Zmieniamy Unię Europejską poprzez wprowadzenie bezpieczeństwa w główny nurt naszych prac. Kompas strategiczny to narzędzie, którym dysponuje Unia Europejska do budowy strategicznych partnerstw. I Unia dostrzega konieczność zacieśniania współpracy z krajami trzecimi. Cieszymy się z dotychczasowych partnerstw z takimi krajami jak Norwegia, Japonia, Korea Południowa, Mołdawia, Macedonia Północna i Albania, ale mówimy: chcemy więcej. Chcemy więcej współpracy, chcemy więcej sojuszy, chcemy więcej partnerstw i więcej bezpieczeństwa.

    		  
       


       

    Procedura “catch-the-eye”

    		  
       

    		 

      Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Madam President, thank you very much. I do really welcome the reset of EU-UK relations, and I do look forward to a positive outcome in the summit. And there’s just a few points I want to allude to, Commissioner, in terms of the important issues: one being the issue of the Erasmus programme. It has been spoken about a lot, but it really is hugely fundamental to the concept of young people being able to travel, to live, to learn, to love in other cultures. And it would be a shame if over the next number of years, we were unable to see another generation of UK citizens travelling to Europe and European citizens travelling to the UK.

    From my perspective, sharing a jurisdiction on the island of Ireland, it is critically important that we have that continual building of personal relationships, and universities and third-level institutions are a great way to do that.

    The other key areas where I believe we have to make a lot of progress – again, I look at it from the context of Ireland being offshore – offshore in terms of wind energy and the distribution of electricity from Ireland through the UK and onwards into Europe. I believe we have to have a full and open and honest debate with the UK around that particular issue to ensure the simplification of the export and import of electricity via the UK itself. Otherwise, our ability to export the large sums of wind energy that will hopefully be generated in the years ahead would be significantly challenged, because there will have to be interconnectors directly from Ireland to France otherwise.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Menschen Europas! Ich hatte vor drei Wochen die große Freude, mit britischen Kollegen aus dem House of Commons und dem House of Lords Syrien zu besuchen. Und dort, am Ende der zivilisierten Welt, in einem Land, gebeutelt von Bürgerkrieg und Unterdrückung, da findet man zusammen mit den Menschen, die einen begleiten. Genauso kam ich zusammen mit meinen britischen Kollegen. Und ich habe gespürt: Während nicht alle von ihnen erkennen, dass der Brexit ein Fehler war, so sehnen sich doch alle von ihnen nach Europa. Und deswegen denke ich, dass dieser anstehende Gipfel eine wichtige Gelegenheit ist, die Probleme aus dem Weg zu räumen, die wir in der Vergangenheit schon hatten.

    Ein großes Thema ist der Handel, und ein kleines Thema in diesem großen Thema ist die Fischerei. Wir werden uns alle daran erinnern, dass die Fischerei und die rechtlichen Fragen hinsichtlich dieses Problems einer der Gründe waren, der der Brexit-Bewegung damals erlaubt hat, Fahrt aufzunehmen. Ich möchte daher alle Vertreter der Europäischen Union aufrufen, insbesondere bei diesem Thema eine gute Lösung mit unseren britischen Freunden zu finden.

    		  
       

    		 

      Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI). – Doamnă președintă, atunci când veți vorbi cu Marea Britanie, o să vă rog frumos să apărați și interesele românilor care muncesc în Marea Britanie. Avem foarte mulți români acolo, este una dintre cele mai importante grupări de cetățeni români pe care o avem în afara granițelor țării.

    Din păcate, este discriminată total. Nu există săptămână să nu fiu anunțată că un copil este luat din rândul familiilor române. Nu este zi să nu fiu anunțată că un copil a fost atacat și înjunghiat de către alți britanici, și unii copii au murit.

    Mă adresez ambasadei Marii Britanii la București, dar și aici, dar și pe lângă Comisia Europeană – nu vor să ne primească, nu vor să vorbească cu noi. Nu-i interesează situația românilor din Marea Britanie și vă întreb: românii care muncesc în Europa, în Marea Britanie, în Uniunea Europeană, sunt chiar de clasa a șaptea a populațiilor lumii? Chiar așa, trebuie să ne batem joc de ei, iar copilul unui român nu contează absolut deloc și nimeni nu îi apără?

    Solicit Comisiei Europene, solicit Parlamentului European să ne apere și nouă copiii românilor din Marea Britanie care sunt discriminați și omorâți ca niște animale pe străzi.

    		  
       

       

    (Fine della procedura “catch the eye”)

    		  
       

    		 

      Maroš Šefčovič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, my dear colleague, Honourable Minister, Honourable Members of the European Parliament, first and foremost, thank you very much for all your contributions. I would like to start by showing my appreciation, in particular, for the interventions of Mr McAllister, Madam Loiseau, Mr Gozi and Mr Andrews, because they have been with the file on EU‑UK cooperation from the very beginning, since the first moment of Brexit. They can see the change, they can feel the difference, and they can also judge the progress which we are achieving. I totally agree with them that, on both sides, on the side of the United Kingdom and on the on the side of the EU, we see the upcoming summit as a very important turning point, as a pivotal moment. Therefore, we are putting in all our efforts and we are very much focused on delivering tangible results, because we believe that this would clearly contribute to the strengthening of EU‑UK relations.

    I absolutely agree with Mr Maniatis and Mr Reuten, who are highlighting the fact that we are now living in a different world. Indeed, the geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically and, therefore, you need to forge new partnerships, new friendships, and you have to work on the relationships you have, especially with important and close neighbours. Therefore, it’s very important for all of us for the EU and UK to work closely together and to make sure that, in all aspects of what is currently being discussed on the geopolitical level, we behave like like‑minded parties, exactly like Madam Mendes and Mr Cowen highlighted.

    If you allow me to just bring you a little bit more detail of my visit to London last week, on top of a very well prepared joint committee, where we went through the entire inventory of issues linked to the Windsor Framework, with the Withdrawal Agreement and with the citizens’ rights. I want to expressly say here how much was achieved, how much we focused on this area, how much we fight for the rights of every single EU citizen in the United Kingdom, and how much we work with our Member States to make sure that British nationals who live in the EU also have also the rights which belong to them under the Withdrawal Agreement. I want to reassure everyone that this is a top priority for us. We are really taking care of every person here because we know that we are talking about families, we are talking about children, and we are talking about the fair treatment of our citizens in the UK and British nationals in the EU.

    On top of the joint committee session, in one day I had very productive sessions with four ministers, with Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, with Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds, with whom we discussed trade, with Mr Hilary Benn, where we delved into the issue of Northern Ireland and our cooperation over the Northern Ireland Protocol, and with Mr David Lammy, where we managed not only to discuss geopolitics, but also our good and positive cooperation on the issues linked with Gibraltar. This is also reflecting the new wave of partnership and positive atmosphere between EU and UK.

    Coming back to the more concrete points the Honourable Members have made. Indeed, on security and defence, it’s very clear that we can do more to strengthen our cooperation in this area. The points of Madam Zovko and Mr Van Dijck are very well taken, and we are working with this clearly in our minds. I am sure that if you look at the White Paper on the future of European defence already there, we are making it very clear that the UK is an essential European ally, and we are stating that cooperation should be enhanced in our mutual interest. Therefore, I can confirm that we want to be ambitious in this area, and we see it as a core part of a renewed EU‑UK agenda.

    Many Honourable Members have been referring to the importance of the area of people‑to‑people contacts. I can assure you that not only for our Member States, which I’m sure Minister Szłapka can confirm, but also for the Commission, very clearly, this is one of the top priorities. We want, again, to build bridges. We want to give our youth the experience of talking to British peers, of having these exchange programmes. Of course, we will be very happy if we can manage to find a solution on Erasmus+ and other other areas of cooperation, as Madam Wiśniewska and Mr Holmgren have been calling for. Therefore for us, in this particular regard, it is very important not to look at each other’s citizens as mere statistics, but as future bridge‑builders, as people who would remember that experience for the rest of their lives. Of course, therefore, in this regard, we want the summit to bring tangible benefits to the people on both sides. For us, clearly, the ambition in this area is an indispensable part of the renewed EU‑UK agenda.

    Honourable Members have been referring, among other areas, to the importance of fisheries, and I would like to reassure all of you that this is clearly a priority for us, as it was raised by Mr Millán Mon and Mr Ruissen. The current arrangements for reciprocal access to waters expires in the middle of next year, so it is essential for us to reach an early agreement that protects the rights of our fishers and provides them with certainty and predictability. We have also been open to an SPS agreement with the UK, as Madam Carberry was calling for. We do that because we are convinced that this would further facilitate the flow of SPS goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, beyond what has already been achieved with the Windsor Framework.

    On top of this, the ideas mentioned by Mr Andrews, like linking the emissions trading system or strengthening cooperation in the field of energy, as was called for by Mr Kelleher and Mr Cowen – all these are areas we are currently looking at where I believe we can progress further. When you follow the statement of Commission President von der Leyen, she was very clear on this as well. So there is more that the EU and UK can do together to exploit our potential in this area, and we will be using every single remaining day to achieve this result.

    Mr Millán Mon was asking about Gibraltar. I will partially respond to this: I have to underline at this stage that we are progressing in a positive direction, and I really would like to thank both Foreign Minister Alvarez and Mr Lammy for their exemplary cooperation and for understanding the position of all sides, because this will help us to advance on these very complex and difficult discussions. We will be working on this at the top level. I believe that we will be successful in that result as well.

    Madam President, Honourable Members, my dear colleague, Minister Szłapka, I would like to conclude by thanking you once again, not only for the exchange we had this afternoon, but also for the very vigilant eye and constructive spirit this house has always demonstrated towards the development of EU‑UK relations. We’ve been working very closely on these issues throughout the years, and I believe that the progress which we can see right now is also thanks to your vigilance, to your support and to your to your constructive ideas. Once again, thank you very much, and I’m also looking forward to this constructive cooperation in the future. Thank you, Madam President.

    		  
       

    		 

      Adam Szłapka, President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, thank you very much, honourable Members, Commissioner, the European Union and the United Kingdom are more than neighbours, we are like-minded democracies that share a deep commitment to the rule of law, human rights, market economy and the international order. We are united by a set of values that underpin stability in a world that has become increasingly uncertain.

    Our relationship with the UK is about being close partners in peace, prosperity, democracy and about global leadership. We will reaffirm our commitment to this relationship at the summit in pursuit of our shared strategic interests and for the benefit of our citizens.

    		  
       

    		 

      Presidente. – Dichiaro chiusa la discussione.

    		  

    19. Protection of the European Union’s financial interests – combating fraud – annual report 2023 (debate)


    		 

      Gilles Boyer, rapporteur. – Madame la Présidente, mes chers collègues, Monsieur le Commissaire, le rapport annuel sur la protection des intérêts financiers de notre Union est bien plus qu’un exercice administratif. C’est le miroir de notre capacité collective à défendre notre budget contre les attaques dont il fait l’objet. Notre Parlement accorde une attention toute particulière aux résultats de ce rapport de la Commission, car ils mettent en lumière les failles, les risques, mais aussi les progrès qui sont réalisés dans la lutte contre la fraude. Grâce à notre architecture anti-fraude, le rapport est désormais enrichi des données du Parquet européen, d’Europol et d’autres acteurs-clés.

    Nous devons cependant aller plus loin. L’architecture actuelle doit être modernisée, consolidée et surtout rendue pleinement opérationnelle. Avec la création du Parquet européen, nous avons franchi une étape. Il est maintenant temps de renforcer les synergies entre les différentes branches de notre architecture.

    En parallèle, nous faisons face à une mutation rapide des menaces. L’intelligence artificielle est désormais utilisée par les organisations criminelles pour détourner des fonds européens. Notre riposte doit donc être aussi technologique. Nous devons mettre à jour nos outils: IMS, Arachne, EDES. Nous devons aussi investir massivement dans des outils numériques avancés et renforcer notre capacité d’analyse des risques, sinon nous aurons toujours un temps de retard sur les criminels.

    Les chiffres sont clairs: les actions menées par les entités luttant contre la fraude ont un véritable impact financier. Les recouvrements de paiements indus par l’OLAF et la restitution au budget de l’Union des fonds confisqués grâce au Parquet européen doivent devenir des priorités stratégiques. Les montants détournés doivent être récupérés rapidement; ils doivent l’être au niveau européen et être réaffectés aux politiques communes.

    Nous faisons également face à des défis structurels. Les systèmes nationaux restent trop fragmentés. Les capacités de certaines autorités anti-fraude demeurent insuffisantes. Nous devons donc poursuivre l’harmonisation de nos législations, renforcer la coopération transfrontalière et protéger celles et ceux qui ont le courage d’alerter.

    Les trois grandes menaces que nous avons identifiées cette année – le crime organisé, la corruption et les conflits d’intérêts – sapent l’intégrité de la dépense publique et détournent nos fonds communs. Ces menaces ne sont pas des fatalités, mais elles appellent une réponse ferme, coordonnée, technologique, éthique et résolument européenne.

    Je souligne aussi dans mon rapport l’importance du règlement sur la conditionnalité qui permet de faire le lien entre l’état de droit et la protection des intérêts financiers de l’Union. Il rappelle que l’accès aux fonds européens exige des garanties solides en matière d’indépendance de la justice et de prévention des conflits d’intérêts. Nous ne pouvons pas tolérer que des fonds européens financent des systèmes qui sapent l’état de droit.

    Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, nous avons la volonté. Il faut désormais nous donner pleinement les moyens de passer à l’action. Je compte sur vous pour que le prochain cadre financier pluriannuel prenne pleinement en compte nos priorités communes de lutte contre la fraude et contre le crime organisé, ainsi que l’application rigoureuse du principe de conditionnalité. Le budget européen ne peut rester vulnérable face à des réseaux criminels et à la complaisance de certains États ou à la technicité de la fraude moderne.

    		  
       

    		 

      Piotr Serafin, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, first of all, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Boyer, and the members of the Committee on Budgetary Control for their report, which is balanced, forward-looking and that we not only appreciate, but we share most of the observations that have already been made.

    The European Parliament has always supported and, I would say even more, inspired the European Commission to make the anti-fraud architecture more effective and up to the task – for that, I would like to thank you also today. Because of the time constraints, I will concentrate only on a few most prominent aspects of the report that have been already mentioned by the rapporteur.

    First, the review of the anti-fraud architecture – this is one of the tasks for this Commission. As the rapporteur has mentioned we have new actors already in place, we might have even more, and it will be absolutely necessary to look and see for the synergies and to facilitate cooperation between the actors. So, from our perspective, to achieve efficient and effective cooperation among all anti-fraud actors will be the priority of the review of the anti-fraud architecture. That is also the precondition for effective and swift recovery of EU funds.

    We have already started this process in the Commission. We had consultations with the main actors, including EPPO, OLAF, European Court of Auditors, Eurojust and Europol with a view to drawing up an action plan. I stand ready to inform the European Parliament about the progress and I will also count on the support of this House for the future implementation.

    I can only echo what was said by the rapporteur on the conditionality regulation – this is clearly progress and very welcome developments, and the one that, looking ahead in view of the next Multiannual Financial Framework, we will keep in place. We would also like to build on the experience to ensure that the EU budget can be used to promote reforms that strengthen the rule of law in Member States. Therefore, there should not be any doubt – respect for the rule of law is a must for EU funds and even more in the future MFF.

    Thirdly, the digitalisation and integration of data. The rapporteur has already referred to a few systems that we have in place – I will talk about them later. But what I want to say is that we are fully aware that digitalisation, interoperability of databases and integration of AI tools for fraud detection and prevention are already present in the revised action plan that accompanies the Commission anti-fraud strategy. We are progressing on its implementation, despite the challenges, and we will report about these developments in the next PIF report.

    However, at the heart of any significant development in this direction lies the issue of data quality, without which any technical solution will remain fruitless. We are significantly investing in this by providing detailed guidance to national authorities and engaging in structured dialogue with those that need additional assistance.

    Fourthly, refining our tools – IMS, which has been mentioned several times in your report, received an important upgrade at the end of last year to make it technologically ready for other significant developments that will follow. When it comes to Arachne – the tool already supports control and audit and helps protect the Union’s financial interests, and we will continue to strengthen it in line with financial regulation. A Member States expert group, in which the European Parliament sits as an observer, formalises the cooperation towards the development of the future system. We will also be happy to continue to update you on the progress in this project.

    When it comes to the early detection and exclusion system, it is currently applicable in direct and indirect management modes as of 2028. Its scope will be extended to short management and direct management with Member States and that is something for which the European Parliament can also take credit.

    Let me also mention whistleblower protection that is supporting the prevention and detection of fraud. To strengthen the culture of ethics and maintain a high level of awareness about fraud, corruption or other serious wrongdoing, the Commission will provide updated guidance to its staff on whistleblowing procedures and protection, in light of the EU standards of protection in this area.

    And finally, our attention is already set on the future and on the design of the next Multiannual Financial Framework, drawing from good practices and lessons learned during the current MFF. We will need to make sure, in particular, that the legal provisions underlying the future MFF ensure transparency of fund recipients and meaningful and mandatory reporting of quality data about detected irregularities and fraud, and a strong anti-fraud architecture to ensure adequate protection of the EU budget. When the moment of the negotiations of the legislative package for the future MFF comes, the Commission will count once more on your support to ensure that the resulting legal framework will be up to the challenges we are confronted with. I thank you again for your attention and look forward to the constructive debate.

    		  
       

       

    PREȘEDINȚIA: NICOLAE ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ
    Vicepreședinte

    		  
       

    		 

      Caterina Chinnici, a nome del gruppo PPE. – Signor Presidente, Signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, io voglio innanzitutto ringraziare il relatore, l’onorevole Boyer, e gli altri relatori ombra per il lavoro che insieme abbiamo svolto su questa importante relazione. Importante perché tutelare gli interessi finanziari dell’Unione e contrastare le frodi significa non solo proteggere il bilancio ma anche la stessa sicurezza interna dell’Unione.

    Infatti, come la Procura europea ed Europol costantemente ci segnalano e come ricorda anche la relazione, dietro le frodi e gli altri reati che ledono gli interessi finanziari dell’Unione ci sono sempre più spesso – direi ormai sistematicamente – le organizzazioni criminali, le stesse responsabili anche dei crimini più violenti.

    E allora, a fronte dell’aumento dei casi di frode e irregolarità nel quinquennio 2019-2023, occorre rafforzare la cooperazione e lo scambio di informazioni a tutti i livelli, intensificare digitalizzazione e trasparenza, consolidare i sistemi di gestione e controllo, in particolare nell’ambito dell’RRF, dove, secondo la Corte dei conti europea, permangono carenze preoccupanti.

    Ma soprattutto, e più in generale, dobbiamo rafforzare l’architettura antifrode dell’Unione, migliorando il coordinamento tra le componenti, sia a livello orizzontale degli organismi dell’Unione, sia a livello verticale di rapporti UE-autorità nazionali degli Stati membri, che devono adottare un approccio sempre più proattivo in tale settore.

    Ed è necessario, sempre in quest’ottica, procedere alla revisione dei mandati dei due attori chiave nella lotta alla criminalità economico-finanziaria: EPPO ad Europol, già prevista negli ordinamenti della Commissione, e questo non solo per rafforzarne ulteriormente il ruolo, ma anche per rendere la cooperazione fra di loro ancora più strutturale e sistematica.

    Prevenzione, individuazione, indagini e repressione delle frodi non solo per un ritorno in termini economici ma per tutelare opportunità, diritti e sicurezza dei cittadini europei.

    		  
       

    		 

      Eero Heinäluoma, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, I also would like to thank our rapporteur and the shadows for excellent cooperation in preparing this report.

    Combating fraud is about protecting the EU budget. Equally much, it is about protecting European citizens and businesses.

    Through European cooperation, we have managed to combat trade in faulty protection equipment during the pandemic, prevented unsafe toys from reaching our children and hindered dangerous food products from ending up on our plates.

    Together, we are able to better ensure that EU financial support benefits businesses that live up to our common rules and objectives, instead of those undermining European policies of fair competition on the single market.

    To be successful, however, we need all of our society to participate. A zero-tolerance culture against fraud begins with public authorities, including national governments, leading by example and condemning fraud and corruption wherever they occur.

    We need an open democratic society with media and civil society free from political pressure or attempts to restrict their participation in public dialogue.

    Here, the Commission has a key responsibility in ensuring that our safeguards are robust enough to meet a growing volume of EU funds and an ever more challenging fraud landscape, as our rapporteur told us. Reality shows the need for strengthened safeguards for protecting the EU budget against misuse, be it fraud or violations of the rule of law, not least in view of the upcoming MFF.

    Ultimately, we need to ensure that every euro is spent to the benefit of European citizens and businesses.

    		  
       

    		 

      Virginie Joron, au nom du groupe PfE. – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, Monsieur le Commissaire, ce rapport sur la protection des intérêts financiers de l’Union est trop clément. En effet, à l’exception du lobbying des ONG vertes financées par Bruxelles, la plupart des scandales majeurs ne figurent ni dans le rapport ni dans les statistiques présentées.

    Comment excuser l’inaction du Parquet européen dans l’affaire Pfizer-Von der Leyen? Aucune enquête n’a été menée sur d’éventuels conflits d’intérêts et sur les erreurs systématiques dans la négociation des contrats, sur les 71 milliards d’euros gaspillés en vaccins contre la COVID, sur les doses annulées de Pfizer à 10 € la dose, sur l’achat de plus de 1 milliard d’euros pour le Remdesivir du laboratoire Gilead – traitement pourtant jugé inefficace contre la COVID –, ou encore sur l’emprunt géant post-COVID à taux variable.

    Il y a de grandes spoliations et il y a des décisions inexcusables de la Commission qui ne figurent dans aucun rapport. Comment autoriser le pantouflage de Thierry Breton à la Bank of America? Ou confier à BlackRock le soin d’imaginer notre futur bancaire? Laisser sans conséquences majeures le directeur général de la DG MOVE voyager aux frais du Qatar? Confier le recrutement des fonctionnaires européens à une entreprise américaine? Ou encore le blanchiment présumé de 1 million d’euros par le commissaire à la justice via des tickets de loto achetés dans une station-service? De quelle crédibilité la Commission peut-elle se targuer quand elle ne respecte pas ses propres principes?

    Cette Commission «VDL II» veut aujourd’hui contrôler les urnes, car les citoyens refusent cette mauvaise gestion. C’est ça, la solution?

    		  
       


    		 

      Lucia Yar, za skupinu Renew. – Vážený pán predsedajúci, pán eurokomisár, kolegovia, kolegyne, dnes presne dnes, keď tu diskutujeme o ochrane európskych peňazí, sa v krajine, z ktorej pochádzam, na Slovensku, vo veľkom diskutuje o okrádaní bežných ľudí na úkor oligarchov. Tí si z eurofondov, dámy a páni, stavajú na Slovensku haciendy. Eurofondy na podporu vidieka a turizmu opakovane končia v rukách vyvolených s prepojením na premiéra Fica a jeho vládnu moc. Už pred rokmi na tieto schémy s dotáciami upozorňoval zavraždený novinár Ján Kuciak. Od jeho smrti ubehlo sedem rokov, no podvodné praktiky pretrvávajú. Presne tieto prípady ukazujú, prečo je potrebné, aby sme na úrovni Európskej únie dôsledne chránili naše financie. A presne k tomu nabáda aj táto správa. Je dôležité, a to nielen pre krajiny, ktoré najviac prispievajú do európskeho rozpočtu, ale je to dôležité aj pre obyvateľov krajín ako Slovensko, ktorí vedia vďaka eurofondom dobiehať západ a vďaka tomu aj dobiehajú. My tu v europarlamente musíme urobiť všetko pre to, aby európske peniaze slúžili tam, kde sú potrebné, a najviac ľuďom v najmenej rozvinutých regiónoch.

    		  
       

    		 

      Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, 228 bottles of champagne, turning a former royal palace into a private golf club, yachts, private jets, Ferraris, vacations in the Maldives – dear colleagues, these are all things that have been purchased by the French Rassemblement National and by the Hungarian Fidesz with money that they stole from the European Union. EU funds that were meant to improve the lives of ordinary Europeans have instead been misused for the luxury lives of a few individuals from the extreme right.

    The Rassemblement National and Fidesz – it’s a match made in extremist heaven, and together they form the most corrupt group in this European Parliament: PfE. And while they’re giving their hate and lie-filled speeches – and we just heard it here a couple of seconds ago – blaming people’s problems on Soros, on Eurocrats, on trans people, on NGOs, on refugees, whatever is the matter of the day, they just can’t hide the fact that Viktor Orbán and Marine Le Pen are ultimately the biggest risk to EU taxpayers’ money.

    And while Marine Le Pen, who has defrauded this Parliament of EUR 4.6 million, has been rightfully convicted and is not allowed to run for election for five years, Viktor Orbán remains yet unpunished. But it is time that he gets punished for the EUR 14 billion that he and his cronies have stolen from EU taxpayers.

    Commissioner, we need to do something about this. We cannot keep sending billions of euros to what is the biggest financial risk in this Union. It’s the corrupt system of Viktor Orbán. So, the best thing we can actually do to protect the EU’s financial interests from fraud, from embezzlement, from corruption, is that we stop paying the corrupt autocrat in Budapest.

    		  
       

    		 

      Rudi Kennes, namens de The Left-Fractie. – Voorzitter, het vertrouwen in de Europese Unie heeft een dieptepunt bereikt. Het is onze verantwoordelijkheid ervoor te zorgen dat overheidsgeld niet wordt verspild of verduisterd. Het verslag benadrukt hoe veel er nog moet gebeuren om de capaciteit van de fraudebestrijdingsarchitectuur te versterken. De opsporing en de melding van fraude blijven ontoereikend, hoewel er aanzienlijke aantallen onregelmatigheden zijn gemeld.

    We moeten de rol van ngo’s en journalisten erkennen bij het blootleggen van misbruik van EU-middelen; we moeten respect opbrengen voor hun werk en hun moed.

    Digitalisering is van cruciaal belang om de besteding van overheidsgeld te kunnen volgen; de systemen en het personeel voor grensoverschrijdende onderzoeken moeten toereikend zijn. Wanneer criminelen zich geld toe‑eigenen, moet dat geld snel worden teruggevonden.

    Een belangrijk deel van het verslag houdt ook verband met sancties. Persoonlijk vind ik het verkeerd om hele bevolkingsgroepen sancties op te leggen. Ten eerste werken sancties niet. Ten tweede zijn sancties enkel nadelig voor de gewone mensen.

    Tot slot stel ik met teleurstelling de gebruikelijke dubbele standaarden vast bij het aan de kaak stellen van corruptie, crimineel gedrag en schendingen van de mensenrechten. Ik zou willen dat de Europese Unie zich met evenveel toewijding voor de rechtsstaat in het Midden-Oosten inzet als ze dat voor Oekraïne doet.

    		  
       

    		 

      Arno Bausemer, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, meine sehr verehrten Damen und Herren! Der vorliegende Bericht konstatiert für das Kalenderjahr 2023 einen historischen Höchststand der Korruptions- und Betrugsfälle in der Europäischen Union: 13 563 Fälle von Betrug und Unregelmäßigkeiten wurden von den Behörden der EU und der Mitgliedstaaten gemeldet. Die betroffenen Mittel belaufen sich auf 1,9 Milliarden EUR.

    Nun sind wir als Abgeordnete dieses Hauses hier verantwortlich für den Umgang mit den Mitteln der Steuerzahler – für den verantwortungsbewussten Umgang. Aber wie soll dieses Ziel erreicht werden, wenn wir mit Ursula von der Leyen eine Kommissionspräsidentin haben, deren Handeln sehr viele Fragen aufwirft? Die Ermittlungen der EU-Staatsanwaltschaft zur Beschaffung von zig Millionen Corona-Impfdosen sind offensichtlich mittlerweile eingeschlafen, denn davon hat man seit dem Sommer letzten Jahres nicht mehr viel gehört. Trotz Aufforderung der EU-Ombudsfrau hat Frau von der Leyen bis heute ihre damaligen Chatverläufe mit dem CEO von Pfizer nicht öffentlich gemacht.

    Schaffen Sie, Frau von der Leyen, bitte endlich die notwendige Transparenz, denn Sie stehen nicht über dem Recht und können hier machen, was Sie wollen. Denn Ihnen fehlt im Gegensatz zu uns allen – uns 720 Abgeordneten – nicht nur die demokratische Legitimation, sondern offensichtlich auch jeglicher Anstand. Werte Frau von der Leyen – Sie sind ja nicht da, vielleicht kommen Sie irgendwann mal wieder –, denken Sie daran, dass die Opposition von heute die Regierung von morgen ist. Denken Sie daran, dass man eine Opposition vielleicht kurzfristig behindern kann, aber dass man einen demokratischen Wandel und den damit verbundenen Willen der Bevölkerung niemals aufhalten kann. Und denken Sie daran, dass in der Geschichte schon der eine oder andere Machthaber in seinem Elfenbeinturm eingeschlafen und im Gefängnis wieder aufgewacht ist.

    		  
       


    		 

      José Cepeda (S&D). – Señor presidente, señor comisario Serafin, muchas gracias por este trabajo. Es un trabajo importante que, de verdad, nos tomamos —como muy bien decía mi colega del PPE— muy en serio, porque hay algo que nos preocupa de una forma muy especial, y es el incremento del fraude.

    Hemos visto que en este presupuesto de 2023 se investigaron 13 563 casos, con un impacto financiero de 1 900 millones de euros. Es verdad que, además, estamos evaluando una sofisticación cada vez más creciente. La utilización de las nuevas tecnologías va en aumento, como la de la inteligencia artificial, sin lugar a dudas, para suplantar identidad, desarrollar clonaciones de bots o llevar a cabo ataques cibernéticos.

    Yo creo que la Comisión todo esto se lo tiene que tomar muy en serio. Desde luego, yo quiero apostar muy fuerte por las nuevas tecnologías y la implementación de la inteligencia artificial, pero tenemos también que saber proteger. Tenemos que dar formación también a los trabajadores de la Comisión y de nuestras instituciones. En definitiva, es muy importante que desarrollemos muchas capacidades, pero sobre todo que sepamos cada vez protegernos mejor.

    		  
       

    		 

      Julien Sanchez (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, ce rapport confirme que les intérêts financiers de l’Union ne sont pas protégés. En 2023, les fraudes et irrégularités ont atteint un record historique: 13 563 cas et 1,90 milliard d’euros détournés de leur objectif, et ce ne sont que les chiffres officiels.

    Vu le peu de contrôles effectués dans les dépenses, ici, c’est en réalité bien davantage. Pire, 233 enquêtes du Parquet européen sont en cours sur les fonds de la FRR avec 1,86 milliard d’euros en jeu. Et cela ne fait que commencer, car vous confiez le contrôle de la FRR à ceux qui en perçoivent les fonds: c’est affligeant d’amateurisme!

    J’étais en mission en Lettonie en avril et la Cour des comptes locale n’a pu répondre à aucune de mes questions sur le sujet. Un scandale! Si je peux me rendre compte de cela, moi, vous, vous ne le pouvez pas? Vous préférez faire l’autruche?

    En tant qu’ancien maire, je suis dégoûté par ce que je vois ici. Si nos concitoyens étaient conscients de votre légèreté dans le contrôle des dépenses, ils demanderaient vos têtes. Votre responsabilité est immense. Pendant que la Commission tergiverse, l’argent des contribuables européens alimente la corruption et les mafias. Ça suffit!

    Ce ne sont pas des rapports ou des vœux pieux que nous voulons, mais de la transparence, un contrôle systématique et exhaustif au centime près et donc des résultats. En attendant, nous continuerons à dénoncer vos lacunes et à proposer des moyens d’éviter ce qui se passe ici. Il est temps que le laxisme cède sa place à l’exigence.

    		  
       

    		 

      Alexander Jungbluth (ESN). – Herr Präsident! Der größte Betrugsskandal in der Geschichte der EU wird in dem vorliegenden Bericht nicht einmal erwähnt. Rund 35 Milliarden EUR hat der Impfstoffdeal von von der Leyen den Steuerzahler in etwa gekostet. Nach wie vor verweigert sie die Aufklärung, was die Europäische Staatsanwaltschaft nicht zu stören scheint. Betrug auf allerhöchster Ebene ist in dieser EU längst Standard geworden. Und an die Adresse der Grünen: Herr Freund, es ist immer ganz interessant, dass Sie hier Frau Le Pen ansprechen.

    Wir wollen an dieser Stelle doch mal feststellen, dass Ihre Parteivorsitzende, Frau Brantner, dem Magazin Tichys Einblick zufolge genau im Verdacht steht, das Gleiche gemacht zu haben. Im rheinland-pfälzischen Wahlkampf 2011, als die Grünen nicht im Parlament vertreten waren, hat sie genau das gemacht, was Sie heute Le Pen vorwerfen. Sie haben Mitarbeiter dazu verwendet, ihren Wahlkampf zu unterstützen. Sie sind an Korruption in diesem Haus überhaupt nicht zu übertreffen. Sie machen nämlich zwei Dinge: Sie haben eine korrupte Parteivorsitzende Brantner auf der einen Ebene, und mittelbar nutzen Sie über Ihre NGOs diesen Staat, nutzen Sie die EU als Selbstbedienungsladen. Sie sind der korrupteste Haufen, den dieses Parlament überhaupt zu bieten hat, Herr Freund!

    (Der Redner ist damit einverstanden, auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“ zu antworten.)

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI), Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Schauen Sie mal, Herr Jungbluth, mit Ihnen diskutiere ich so gerne. Da opfere ich sogar mein Catch the eye, nur um Ihnen hier diese Frage zu stellen. Ich hoffe, Sie sind bereit. Sie sagen, dass dieser oder jener Teil der korrupteste Haufen hier im EU‑Parlament ist oder auch die Kommission. Ich meine, dass die Berichte da mal öffentlich gemacht werden müssen und die SMS, da sind wir uns ja alle einig. Was da drin steht, das weiß auch nur der liebe Gott. Aber ich schweife ab. Meine Frage an Sie lautet: Wie können Sie eigentlich sagen, dass jemand anderes der korrupteste Haufen ist, wenn es Ihre Partei ist, die sich von ausländischen Agenten schmieren lässt, weswegen wir hier die Immunität aufheben müssen?

    		  
       

    		 

      Alexander Jungbluth (ESN), Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Der Kollege hat es gerade richtig gesagt. Sie haben hier eine Märchenstunde, die Sie erzählen. Und wissen Sie was? Folgendes ist der Fall: Es ist doch tatsächlich so, dass bei uns immer Kleinigkeiten hervorgehoben werden und dann ein angeblicher Korruptionsskandal daraus gemacht wird. Da gibt es irgendwelche dubiosen Geschichten, die Leute wie Sie dann immer gerne erfinden. Auf der anderen Seite haben wir tatsächliche Korruption, die eben nicht geahndet wird, weil wir eben unter anderem keine unabhängige Gerichtsbarkeit haben.

    Wir sehen das gerade in Deutschland, was passiert. Wir haben einen abhängigen Inlandsgeheimdienst, wir haben eine abhängige Verfassungsgerichtsbarkeit, und das ist das eigentliche Problem. Das eigentliche Problem ist, dass eine Rechtsstaatlichkeit innerhalb dieser EU kaum noch gegeben ist.

    		  
       

    		 

      Evin Incir (S&D). – Mr President, every misuse of taxpayers’ money is essentially theft. Viktor Orbán, the leader of the far right in Europe, is one of the biggest ones. The European Commission is currently withholding … So are the colleagues going to be silent or am I allowed to continue?

    (The President asked for silence in the room)

    Every misuse of taxpayers’ money is essentially theft. Viktor Orbán, the leader of the far right in Europe, is one of the biggest ones. The European Commission is currently withholding many billions in EU funds from Hungary due to rule of law and corruption concerns.

    This is corruption. Anti‑democrats remain anti‑democrats. Transparency and accountability are their greatest enemies. Their shamelessness knows no bounds, even extending to spying on investigators from the EU Anti‑Fraud Office, OLAF.

    Those who misuse public funds and target our anti‑corruption agencies also attempt to demonise the cornerstone of democracy: civil society. A vibrant civil society is a vital pillar of healthy democracies, which explains why Orbán is attacking it.

    Let us also not forget the baseless allegations against important international organisations like UNWRA. Democracy is currently in jeopardy.

    		  
       

    		 

      András László (PfE). – Elnök Úr! Képviselő Asszonynak rögtön válaszolnék is. Magyarország uniós forrásait részben azért tartják vissza, mert nemet mondunk az ukrajnai háborúra, nemet mondunk az illegális migrációra, és nemet mondunk a genderideológiára. De ami Brüsszelt illeti, az NGO-k finanszírozási botránya végre elérte az Európai Uniót is. Az Európai Számvevőszék jelentése egészen megdöbbentő, egyértelműen átláthatatlan finanszírozásról beszél. Még az sincs rendesen szabályozva, hogy mi számít ténylegesen nem kormányzati szervezetnek.

    Az EU egyszerűen elfogadja azt, hogyha egyes szervezetek annak vallják magukat, miközben fontos politikai kérdésekben rájuk hivatkozik az Európai Bizottság mint akik az európai polgárok akaratát képviselik. Az elmúlt években az Európai Parlament korrupciós botránya, a legutóbb zöld botrányban érintett Frans Timmermans esetében is kiderült, hogy NGO-k a politikai befolyásszerzés eszközei voltak. A Magyarországon működő legnagyobb, magukat civilnek hazudó szervezetek pedig támogatásuk túlnyomó részét nem magyar magánszemélyektől kapják, hanem külföldről. Ennek véget kell vetni, véget kell vetni a politikai árnyékhatalomnak, és át kell világítani ezt a rendszert. A bújtatott politikai lobbinak véget kell vetni.

    		  
       

       

    Intervenții la cerere

    		  
       

    		 

      Maria Grapini (S&D). – Domnule președinte, domnule comisar, stimați colegi, discutăm o problemă extrem de importantă și este păcat că suntem atât de puțini.

    Apărarea intereselor financiare ale Uniunii ține, de fapt, de credibilitatea instituțiilor europene și cum le putem apăra?

    În primul rând, toate instituțiile care sunt desemnate și plătite pentru a apăra interesele financiare și a combate frauda trebuie să lucreze transparent, să ne informeze, să transmitem în țara noastră, în țările noastre, ce fac aceste instituții, pentru că le plătim și nu cu bani puțini.

    Am exemple concrete – Parchetul European – am fost raportor în mandatul trecut, Parchetul European nu este eficient. A recuperat 1%, circa 1% din sumele pentru care au cheltuit bani, au controlat. Mai mult, sunt cazuri extrem de grave: trei ani de zile terorizează o companie și, în final, nu este vinovată compania de a o scoate din piață.

    Deci, dacă nu lucrează pentru cu adevărat pentru recuperarea pagubelor și evitarea fraudelor, ne pierdem credibilitatea și să nu ne mirăm că se dezvoltă extremismul.

    Asta cer Comisiei Europene: transparență și eficiență în munca pe care o fac.

    		  
       


    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Mr President, dear people of Europe, dear Commissioner, when I was researching the most important administrative body of the European Union regarding the topic of this debate, OLAF – who, by the way, also has one of the funniest names of all European institutions, at least from a German or maybe Scandinavian perspective – I found a shocking truth: this so important administrative body does not have Instagram, no TikTok, nothing but a LinkedIn account and a website.

    Everyone in this room, maybe because of different political ideas, agrees on the fact that fraud is hurting this Union, is hurting the trust in our Union. And so I’m wondering, why do we not publish this important work of OLAF in a system that is modern, that reaches the young generation? How can this be?

    And maybe we should also ask ourselves, which other institutions make the same mistake? I hope you can take this with you, Commissioner, even though you are not directly responsible.

    		  
       

       

    (Încheierea intervențiilor la cerere)

    		  
       

    		 

      Piotr Serafin, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, many thanks for the debate. I appreciate a number of suggestions and remarks that have been raised and that can help us to improve the way in which the anti-fraud architecture operates.

    And as I said already in the opening remarks, the work on the reform and the review of the anti-fraud architecture will be absolutely key during this mandate.

    I think a lot of positive developments took place in the last few years. The fact that we have in place EPPO is clearly a positive development. The fact that we have been and we will continue to invest also European taxpayers’ money into the development of the anti-fraud architecture, let me just make a reference to the announcement of President von der Leyen to increase financial resources available for Europol, that is also a positive development.

    But it’s also true that since we have new actors, since we are also going to have a few new players in the area of anti-fraud architecture, that’s why that review is really necessary. And I believe that that review is not just important from the perspective of the protection of the financial interests of the EU, not only from the perspective of the protection of the EU budget, but also from the perspective of our Member States. Because the truth is that the single market is an opportunity not only for our companies, not only for our citizens, but it is also an opportunity for fraudsters. And I’m absolutely certain that without a system that we have at EU level, Member States alone would not be able to detect and fight against fraud. And that is one of the important takeaways that we will also keep in mind while looking into the future of the anti-fraud architecture.

    The second point that I would like to make refers to the data on the detection of fraud. Many of you have referred to that data. Yes, it is an issue of concern. That is an issue that we would need to continue to address. But that is also a measure that we have put in place: an anti-fraud system that is able to detect fraud, that is able also to fight fraud and corruption. The system is not perfect, that’s why we would need to review it. That’s why we need to continuously work to improve it. Because as we know, one thing that the fraudsters are not missing is creativity. They will continue to look for ways in which they can misuse public money, including the EU budget money.

    But that system is already is already bringing results. And to be frank, I’ve heard about some countries, not necessarily in the European Union, in which those in power say there is no fraud, there is no corruption – I don’t believe it. I think there is fraud and there is corruption everywhere because that risk is everywhere. The question is whether we have a system in place that can address it and fight it.

    And that is another point that I would like to share with you, and one last on the NGOs: I think it has to be stated clearly, we’ll discuss it also tomorrow, there is no fraud. There has never been fraud. And those who are referring to NGOs, they know it. I have more and more the impression that they are doing that, because they would like to eliminate NGOs from the public debate at the European level.

    		  
       

    		 

      Gilles Boyer, rapporteur. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, merci pour ce débat utile qui fait émerger des positions non pas unanimes, parce que l’unanimité n’est pas de ce monde, mais des positions largement consensuelles ou en tout cas une volonté partagée de faire, tous ensemble, le meilleur usage de l’argent public européen, de lutter contre une fraude protéiforme, massive, inventive et souvent plus rapide que nous, décideurs européens.

    À partir de ce consensus, j’aimerais que l’ensemble des groupes qui partagent cette vision, au-delà des nuances que nous pouvons avoir, ne se laissent pas polluer par un sujet important, mais finalement marginal dans notre architecture européenne, celui des ONG. Ce sujet, vous l’avez évoqué, il a été évoqué dans ce débat et il sera à nouveau évoqué dans cet hémicycle, j’en suis certain, à plusieurs reprises.

    J’ai proposé une formulation, dans le rapport, qui me semble équilibrée, qui rappelle le rôle important des ONG dans le débat public européen, que nous devons préserver, et qui rappelle aussi que tous ceux qui perçoivent des fonds européens doivent la transparence aux contribuables européens et aux autorités de contrôle. Je crois que c’est ce que nous pouvons dire dans le cadre de ce rapport.

    Je pense que c’est un bon rapport, non pas parce que c’est le mien – pas seulement parce que c’est le mien –, mais parce qu’il est issu d’un travail réfléchi avec l’ensemble des rapporteurs fictifs que je remercie pour leur collaboration. Je souhaite que, lors du vote de demain, nous gardions en tête, comme on dit en bon français, «the big picture».

    		  
       

    		 

      Preşedinte. – Cu acest anunț am încheiat dezbaterea. Votarea va avea loc mâine.

    		  

    20. Composition of committees and delegations

    		 

      Preşedinte. – Am un anunț de făcut: deputații neafiliați au comunicat președintelui o decizie referitoare la modificări cu privire la numirile în cadrul comisiilor.

    Această decizie va fi consemnată în procesul-verbal al ședinței de astăzi și produce efecte de la data prezentului anunț, respectiv, domnul Volker Schnurrbusch îl înlocuiește pe domnul Taner Kabilov în Comisia pentru petiții.

    		  

    21. Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2023 (debate)


    		 

      Ondřej Knotek, rapporteur. – Mr President, good afternoon colleagues, Vice-President Fitto and Vice-President of the EIB de Groot. Despite the fact that the main scope of the report is dedicated to the financial activities of the bank in 2023, we considered, on top of this scope, other useful elements to better understand the EIB’s operational model, internal system and also strategy in current vibrant times. Why? Because the EIB already now plays a crucial role in implementing EU policies, and its role might grow in the near future. Therefore, I am extremely grateful for the openness and hospitality that the bank provided while drafting this report.

    I would like to also remind all of us that the EIB is not the subject of the standard discharge procedure we are used to. To sum up the activities we have done: firstly, there was a questionnaire based on the inputs from the CONT committee members that was effectively answered by the bank. Then on 11 December 2024, we held a one-day working visit in the EIB, meeting eight representatives of departments and one vice-president. And on 25 January, we held a follow-up video conference on topics like transparency and prevention of the conflict of interest.

    Now, on the substance, the EIB maintained in 2023 the triple A rating and liquidity ratio within the limits and had a positive result of EUR 2.3 billion. Also, the 2023 signed investments are expected to create 1.4 million new jobs in coming years, and this shall contribute growth of one percentage in GDP.

    The EIB manages up to 130 mandates, both from the Commission and the shared management, and produces 450 reports every year. Therefore, simplification is not only needed here, but as well has been recognised within the system and addressed in the system, and of course not at the cost of sound management. By the way, EIB manages six mandates from the RRF, namely for Greece, Italy, Romania and Spain.

    On energy security, the bank focuses on the security of supplies via grids reinforcement, cross-border infrastructure, but also introduces new modern elements like demand response and energy storage projects, and also value chains for critical materials.

    Another important topic is security – EIB supports the EU defence and security industry under the dual-use principle, and the budget has been increased here from EUR 6 billion to EUR 8 billion and newly includes also activities in space. The bank cooperates with the European Defence Agency and, in order to mobilise money for innovative projects, has opened the One-Stop-Shop.

    When we look at the climate, it is one of the main priorities of the bank – there has been EUR 40 billion in climate, EUR 25 billion in sustainability and also many projects newly in climate adaptation. The bank is active also outside the EU, namely in Ukraine, Western Balkans, Moldova but also Africa. When it comes to accountability, the bank cooperates within OLAF and EPPO and has its own ethics and compliance committee.

    We are running slowly out of time, so to sum up, the EIB has demonstrated, I would say, unprecedented engagement with the Parliament in preparing this report. I am very thankful, in my opinion, as also an auditor outside the European Parliament, the EIB is running a successful operational model applying risk prevention and continual improvement approach and tries to address existing challenges and opportunities effectively. I would like to thank all the representatives of the CONT committee, of course, of the bank, of the Secretariat, and I am looking forward to the debate to come.

    		  
       

    		 

      Robert de Groot, Vice-President of the EIB. – Mr President, honourable Members, it’s my pleasure to be with you here today to address some important issues raised in the report and update you on the activities of the EIB Group. And I want to thank the rapporteur, Mr Ondřej Knotek, for his thorough work and the excellent cooperation to reach a well‑balanced report.

    Your report rightly acknowledges the bank’s achievements in 2023, and since then, a lot has happened. 2024, the first year of President Calviño at the helm of the bank was a year of change. The bank signed EUR 89 billion in new financing for high‑impact projects supporting EU policy priorities. Our investments help close the investment gap Europe faces. Investment strengthens European competitiveness, it bolsters our strategic autonomy and makes the European economy more resilient in this increasingly complex world.

    Last year alone, nearly 60 % of our financing went to supporting the green transition, including circular economy and climate adaptation. The EIB Group made more investments than ever to strengthen the EU’s energy security, mobilising over EUR 100 billion for projects in the new and upgraded infrastructure, such as grids and interconnectors, renewables, net zero industries, efficiency and energy storage.

    At the same time, higher risk operations for Europe’s most innovative companies have sharply increased, with EUR 8 billion in equity and quasi‑equity investment for start‑ups, scale‑ups and European pioneers. This number will increase in 2025.

    We operate with clear priorities set out by our shareholders in our 2024‑2027 strategic roadmap. We have significant progress in simplification – the rapporteur alluded to it – resulting in cutting red tape for clients and shortening the time to market required to improve and deploy new investments, and, thanks to the support of your House, with the change of our statute to increase the gearing ratio, allowing us to invest more while maintaining our equity base.

    The EIB Group plans to increase its overall investments, as I said, to EUR 90‑95 billion in 2025, with flagship initiatives to support European tech champions through a dedicated Tech EU programme, contributing to a deeper and broader European capital markets union, which is essential to support our start‑up and scale‑up companies and to keep them in Europe.

    We will act on critical raw materials, water management, energy efficiency of SMEs, as well as sustainable and affordable housing. Housing is a top priority for the EIB Group, as it is for so many citizens all over Europe. That’s why we have designed an action plan, working closely with the Commission to set up a pan‑European investment platform. Our aim is to generate about EUR 10 billion of investment over the next two years. This is a good example of how the bank is willing and able to evolve, adapt and be part of the solution to the multiple challenges Europe currently faces.

    InvestEU is a success story with a multiplier effect of close to 15 times, according to the Commission. It’s an excellent example of how leveraging is realised. Indeed, the market demand and pace of deployment are such that we are even at risk of missing the firepower to deliver some of our projects in the last years of the budget cycle.

    I turn now to another area which is highly relevant in the current geopolitical context, namely defence and security. The EIB board decided in March to broaden the EIB Group’s eligibility criteria for security and defence investments, ensuring that excluded activities remain as minimal as possible. This allows us to finance large‑scale strategic projects in areas such as border protection, military mobility, space, cybersecurity, anti‑jamming technologies, radar system, seabed and other critical infrastructure and critical raw materials. These changes will further facilitate investment to bolster Europe’s industrial defence capabilities. I think this is very important at this moment in time.

    Mr President, once again, many thanks to the rapporteur for the report and thank you very much for this opportunity.

    		  
       

    		 

      Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, Vice-President of the EIB, dear rapporteur, honourable Members, I would like to thank the European Parliament for the opportunity to present the Commission’s views in this regard. This was another year of positive cooperation with our long-standing partner, the European Investment Bank group, which we value very much. It is essential that our institutions keep working together as strategic partners.

    Today, the EIB group has been provided indispensable financial support to ensure implementation of the EU priorities on the ground. This concerns areas such as energy, electricity distribution, networks, water, social and affordable housing, education and the mobile network, to name just a few. We welcome the eight strategic priorities of the EIB Strategic Roadmap adopted last year. They are well-aligned with EU priorities, including new ones such as defence and security.

    The projects and the investments carried out by the EIB also contribute to the competitiveness agenda of the current Commission. This agenda critically depends on the ability of highly innovative start-ups. This is especially relevant in areas such as AI, quantum computing and deep tech, biotech and clean tech, or in the defence sector.

    Given the scale of the investment needed, as mentioned in the Draghi report, we will have to strive to attract institutional investors, such as the insurers and the pension funds to leverage all available resources. The Commission and the EIB group should continue working together to identify all options available. At the same time, we encourage the EIB group to further exploit the risk-taking potential, to foster higher additionally in its interventions and avoid the risk of crowding out other investors.

    In March, the Commission published the communication on the Savings and Investments Union. I therefore welcome the EIB’s recent initiative to address the most challenging needs of strategically important, innovative companies. These initiatives, such as the European Tech Champions Initiative 2.0, aimed to scale-up venture capital investments, facilitate easier exits of the venture funds, thus allowing circularity of investment and better use of available funds.

    The Commission has strongly connected competitiveness to simplification: one cannot exist without the other. Our strategy on implementation and simplification for the next five years aims at making sure that EU rules are as simple and cost-effective as possible, and that they deliver on the ground to achieve our economic, social, security and environmental goals. We are working closely with the EIB to deliver on our simplification agenda, for example via the Invest EU omnibus regulation.

    Outside the EU, the role of EIB Global will be crucial in delivering EU policy priorities and enhancing the EU’s visibility and development impact. The EIB remains our important partner in ensuring continued support to Ukraine now and in the long-term. In April, the Commission witnessed the signature of four new EIB operations, which will address Ukraine’s most pressing recovery needs, supporting municipalities in renewable energy and energy efficiency, water infrastructure and district heating.

    These projects, backed by the EU budget through the Ukraine Facility, reflect our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term resilience and to its people. In this regard and in view of an increasingly difficult geopolitical context, strengthening EU security and defence has been brought to the forefront of our agenda. Rebuilding Europe’s defence capabilities requires urgent and significant investment.

    In March, the Commission presented the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 initiative to facilitate a unique surge in defence investment. It aims to unlock up to EUR 800 billion of additional defence expenditures – a game changer for European defence. The EIB has a clear role to play here, particularly in supporting the investments needed to ramp up the defence industry. This also includes targeted support for small and medium enterprises across the supply chain. In this sense, we welcome the recent amendment of the EIB group’s exclusion policy to further boost its investment in security and defence, while safeguarding the group’s financial capacity. I believe that by working together, focusing investment and maintaining a coherent regulatory framework, we can ensure Europe’s continued growth, technological leadership and resilience in the face of an increasingly volatile and competitive global environment.

    I welcome the EP report, which brings important insights and recommendations. The EIB has been successful in ensuring a balance between being a bank with public commission and maintaining agility to ensure it remains an attractive partner for projects, promoters and to advance our important investment policies, often with private partners. I hope this balance will be further retained.

    		  
       

    		 

      Kinga Kollár, a PPE képviselőcsoport nevében. – Elnök Úr! Európa következő évei az óriásberuházásokról fognak szólni: évi 800 milliárd euró az európai vállalkozásokba, további 800 milliárd euró Európa védelmi iparába. Végül, de semmiképpen sem utolsósorban, jelentős összegek a kohézió, a jólét és az egészséges környezet fenntartására, különösen a megfizethető lakhatásra és a kapcsolódó egészségügyi, oktatási és közlekedési infrastruktúra finanszírozására.

    Az Európai Beruházási Bank több szempontból is előnyös helyzetben van, hogy ezeket a nagymértékű befektetéseket mozgósítani tudja. Egyrészt tőkeerős helyzete, az EU által biztosított garancia és kiváló hitelminősítése lehetővé teszi számára, hogy előnyös feltételek mellett tudjon hitelt nyújtani. Másrészt jelentős tapasztalata van a privát befektetők és a tőke bevonásában, amire mindenképpen szükség lesz a célok eléréséhez. Kérem ezért a bankot, hogy a prudens és gazdaságos működés megtartása mellett, fokozza a beruházási tevékenységét és merjen bátrabban kockázatot vállalni.

    Az EIB-nek a tagállamok beruházási bankjaként arra is figyelnie kell, hogy finanszírozási tevékenysége földrajzilag is kiegyensúlyozott legyen. Magyarországon például a bank által befektetett összeg jelentősen elmarad az európai átlagtól, pedig Magyarországon külön kiemelt szerepe is lenne a banknak, a magyar kormány korrupciója miatt kiesett uniós támogatások pótlásában. A bank az EU pénzügyi érdekeinek védelme mellett tudna a magyar gazdaságba és vállalkozásokba, infrastruktúrába pénzt pumpálni.

    Végül kiemelném, hogy az, hogy a jelentéstevő a Patrióta csoport tagja, nem szoríthatja háttérbe azt, hogy mi mindannyian azért vagyunk itt, hogy a választópolgárok érdekeit szolgáljuk. A Tisztelt Ház előtt lévő jelentés ezt teszi, ezért remélem, hogy széles körű támogatásra talál a holnapi szavazáson.

    		  
       

    		 

      Maria Grapini, în numele grupului S&D. – Domnule președinte, domnule comisar, domnule vicepreședinte, sunt raportor din partea grupului meu la acest raport și, așa cum am spus și la audierea în comisie, apreciez activitatea Băncii Europene de Investiții. Vin din mediul privat, știu procedurile de lucru în bănci, știu că nu își asumă de multe ori riscuri, vor să fie acoperiți.

    Ce mi-aș dori, domnule vicepreședinte, este ca în viitor, din acele multe zeci de miliarde pe care ați spus că le-ați investit, să crească procentul investițiilor și creditelor acordate întreprinderilor mici și mijlocii. Am spus asta și în dezbaterea din comisie.

    De asemenea, mi-aș dori să flexibilizați, și mai multă transparență, să eliminăm aceste bariere în calea celor care ar dori să investească, să aibă credite. De asemenea, în mediul rural, foarte puțini din mediul rural pot să aibă acces la credite. Poate vă gândiți la alte mecanisme.

    Femeile care conduc afaceri, de asemenea, am pus amendament, îmi doresc să aibă mai mult acces, și poate la următorul raport ne aduceți, așa întreg, procentele de creștere la investițiile, la creditele acordate IMM-urilor, femeilor, apoi în domeniul sanitar.

    Și avem o mare problemă cu locuințele. S-a mai spus aici: este o criză de locuințe, în special la tineri și aici trebuie să ne gândim cum putem să facem prin Banca Europeană de Investiții să acordăm credite tinerilor pentru a avea locuințe.

    		  
       

    		 

      Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, în numele grupului ECR. – Domnule președinte, stimate domnule Fitto, stimați colegi, în calitate de raportor al ECR pentru dosarul cu privire la activitatea anuală a Băncii Europene de Investiții, mi-am asumat un rol activ în protejarea intereselor financiare ale Uniunii Europene.

    Fondurile publice ale Uniunii Europene trebuie să fie utilizate eficient și transparent, fără a risipi vreo resursă. De aceea, am cerut ca evaluările de impact să fie riguroase și să garanteze că fiecare euro cheltuit aduce beneficii concrete cetățenilor europeni, în special în contextul crizelor economice și sociale cu care ne confruntăm.

    Consider că este esențial ca alocarea banilor europeni să se facă pe baza unor principii raționale și nu pe fundamente ideologice care pot pune în pericol stabilitatea economică a Uniunii.

    În virtutea acestui raționament, prin amendamentele pe care le-am susținut, am cerut ca Fondul European de Investiții să fie orientat clar către creșterea competitivității, a rezilienței și a dezvoltării economice. Cerințele privind obiectivele climatice nu trebuie să devină scopuri în sine și nici să afecteze competitivitatea.

    Împreună cu colegii deputați din Grupul ECR, voi continua să urmăresc cu atenție modul în care Banca Europeană de Investiții gestionează fondurile și să mă asigur că deciziile financiare sunt luate în interesul tuturor cetățenilor europeni.

    		  
       

    		 

      Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu, în numele grupului Renew. – Domnule președinte, apreciez rolul Băncii Europene de Investiții în arhitectura instituțională a Uniunii Europene. Este o instituție cheie pentru coeziune, dezvoltare durabilă, tranziție verde.

    Dar tocmai pentru că știm ce rol esențial are, avem datoria să spunem și acolo unde lucrurile nu merg bine.

    Am evaluat din partea grupului politic Renew activitatea băncii în 2023. Doar un sfert, doar un sfert din finanțările BEI au mers către regiunile mai puțin dezvoltate din Uniunea Europeană în 2023. Este un procent care ar trebui să ne îngrijoreze, dacă ne pasă cu adevărat de reducerea inegalităților între Est și Vest, între centrul și periferia Uniunii.

    România este un exemplu elocvent. Este o țară cu nevoi uriașe în infrastructură, digitalizare, sănătate, tranziție energetică, dar cu o prezență relativ modestă în portofoliul BEI.

    Este clar că trebuie să înțelegem ce nu funcționează, și ce nu funcționează este colaborarea cu autoritățile naționale și locale. Există blocaje administrative și de capacitate și parteneriatele public-private sunt prea puțin folosite și ar trebui să fie o prioritate pentru viitor.

    În final, salut cooperarea cu OLAF și Parchetul European. Cred că este un pas esențial pentru întărirea transparenței și a încrederii cetățenilor.

    		  
       

    		 

      Rudi Kennes, namens de The Left-Fractie. – Voorzitter, de Europese Investeringsbank (EIB) werkt op basis van een non-profitmandaat, met als doel projecten te financieren die ten goede komen aan gewone mensen in de Europese Unie en daarbuiten. In werkelijkheid heeft de EIB echter vooral bijgedragen aan het verhogen van bedrijfswinsten met belastinggeld. Miljarden euro’s aan overheidsleningen zijn toegekend aan zeer winstgevende bedrijven die hun projecten perfect zonder overheidssubsidies hadden kunnen financieren.

    Tussen 2020 en 2023 ontvingen zeven zakelijke EIB-klanten – Iberdrola, Stellantis, Intesa San Paolo, Leonardo, Orange, Nordfolk en Gavi (the Vaccine) Alliance – meer dan 11 miljard EUR aan EIB-leningen. In dezelfde periode boekten deze bedrijven samen 100 miljard EUR winst, keerden zij 38,7 miljard EUR aan dividend uit, besteedden zij €11,9 miljard EUR aan aandeleninkoop en betaalden zij hun CEO’s maar liefst meer dan 146 miljoen EUR.

    Sommige van deze bedrijven liggen bovendien onder vuur vanwege betrokkenheid bij sociale onregelmatigheden en milieumisstanden, corruptie en het leveren van wapens aan landen die het internationale recht schenden. Dit moet veranderen.

    De EIB moet prioriteit geven aan publieke partnerschappen en onze publieke diensten financieren. Zij moet hoge sociale en milieunormen hanteren voor alle projecten, strenge voorwaarden stellen aan bedrijfsleningen en nauwer samenwerken met de EU en nationale publieke financiële instellingen om de positieve impact van overheidsinstellingen te maximaliseren.

    		  
       



    		 

      Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE). – Pane předsedající, vážený pane komisaři, vážený pane místopředsedo, vážení kolegové, rád bych poděkoval všem kolegům za velmi dobrou práci. Je to jasný signál, že Evropská investiční banka musí převzít klíčovou roli v oblasti strategické obrany Evropy – technologie dvojího užití, tedy ty, které slouží k civilním i obranným účelům, zásadní pro naši bezpečnost a suverenitu. A Evropská investiční banka se musí s touto výzvou utkat. Je skvělé, že Evropská investiční banka opustila zastaralý model příjmového testu. Evropská investiční banka ale musí investovat i do oblastí, jako je kybernetická bezpečnost nebo inovace v oblasti obrany. Potřebujeme také cílené investice do energetické bezpečnosti, což jsme viděli jako Evropská lidová strana ve Španělsku minulý týden. Ale řekněme si to otevřeně – bez bezpečnosti nebude stabilita. Právě proto musí být obranné schopnosti a duální technologie jádrem budoucího mandátu Evropské investiční banky. Podporuji tuto zprávu, protože nevidím v Evropské investiční bance jenom banku, ale i instituci, která chrání odolnost Evropy.

    		  
       

    		 

      Jonás Fernández (S&D). – Señor presidente, señor comisario, en primer lugar, me gustaría felicitar y agradecer el trabajo del Banco Europeo de Inversiones en todos estos años, y especialmente —como ha dicho el vicepresidente— en esta última etapa con una nueva presidenta, que sin duda está reactivando el trabajo del Banco Europeo de Inversiones, tan necesario ante el volumen ingente de financiación que debemos acometer en los próximos años.

    Quisiera quizá hacer dos apuntes. En primer lugar, necesitamos más financiación para la vivienda social. Y tengo un mensaje para la Comisión: la propuesta de reforma de la definición de pequeña y mediana empresa que está en la revisión del Reglamento por el que se establece el Programa InvestEU he de decir que a los socialistas no nos gusta mucho, porque creo que no define bien lo que es una pyme y podría distraer la atención y los esfuerzos del Banco Europeo de Inversiones en financiar a las pequeñas y medianas empresas.

    En todo caso, y para terminar, me gustaría anunciar que el Grupo Socialista votará en contra de este informe, porque realmente entendemos que el Grupo parlamentario de los Patriotas, que ha estado haciendo uso fraudulento de la financiación europea en Francia con Le Pen, en Hungría con Orbán o en España con VOX, no puede firmar un documento como este.

    		  
       


    		 

      Sandra Gómez López (S&D). – (inicio de la intervención fuera de micrófono) … especialmente al ponente del informe. ¿Cómo se puede hablar del Banco Europeo de Inversiones sin mencionar a las personas que más lo necesitan? Este informe olvida lo que es el corazón de Europa: nuestras empresas, nuestras pymes, nuestros jóvenes agricultores y nuestras zonas rurales. Y también se borran referencias importantísimas como el pilar europeo de derechos sociales, los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible o el impacto de la guerra de Rusia contra Ucrania.

    Así que nosotros no queremos que se refleje que el BEI tiene que ser un banco técnico y distante; queremos que se refleje que es un banco humano y social, que está comprometido con las personas que viven en Europa, con la cohesión social y con nuestro futuro, y por eso vamos a votar en contra de este informe como grupo.

    La buena noticia que tenemos es que, pese a lo que ustedes querrían, hoy contamos con un gran liderazgo, Nadia Calviño como presidenta del BEI, que va a permitirle ser garante de los valores que nos representan como Unión Europea.

    		  
       

       

    Intervenții la cerere

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Mr President, first of all, I beg your forgiveness for being too loud a few minutes ago. Actually, being present in this room sometimes requires having a conversation and listening to the debate at the same time.

    Herr Präsident, liebe Menschen Europas! Wir haben ein Recht darauf zu wissen, was mit dem Geld der Europäischen Union passiert. Die Europäische Investitionsbank verwaltet einen wesentlichen Teil dieses Geldes. Sie nimmt wichtige Investitionen vor in Klimaschutz, in unsere Wirtschaft, in die Transformation zu einer gerechteren Gesellschaft – und sie unterstützt unsere Partner auf der ganzen Welt, wie etwa die Ukraine.

    Umso schockierender ist es, dass der Bundesrechnungshof der Europäischen Investitionsbank vor allen Dingen mangelnde Transparenz vorwirft. Wir leben in einer Zeit, in der die Skepsis an der Demokratie wächst, in der Populisten überall auf diesem Kontinent auf dem Vormarsch sind. Wir können es uns nicht erlauben, dass unsere Bevölkerung nicht genau weiß, was mit unserem Geld geschieht.

    		  
       

       

    (Încheierea intervențiilor la cerere)

    		  
       

    		 

      Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you for this very engaging and substantive discussion. It is clear that we all are determined to act together to push the European agenda of competitiveness and security, and deliver on our main priorities.

    The EIB Group will remain an important player in this. I want to say this now, because we are working, for example, for the mid-term review of the cohesion policy, with the five new priorities. I heard during this discussion some of these points – for example, water, housing, competitiveness. I think this can be an important occasion to reinforce this cooperation in this way. The EIB Group is our natural closest partner, and we are aligned on our strategic priorities.

    We will continue to rely on the EIB Group to support the implementation of our agenda and adjust our support in view of new and emerging priorities when needed. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation, with the common goal of achieving greater impact inside and outside the Union.

    		  
       

    		 

      Robert de Groot, Vice-President of the EIB. – Mr President, thank you for the words of the Vice-President of the Commission, honourable Members, thanks for your remarks and questions. Let me go into more detail on some of the points you have made.

    First, on cohesion – cohesion was the number one obligation of the European Investment Bank group when we started in 1958, and today, 48 % of our national budget is still spent on cohesion. It is in the least advantageous areas of Europe, it is in rural areas where public services are under pressure, and we will continue to work in that direction.

    Secondly, we are a demand-driven organisation, which implicates that we do not go out into the Member State and force upon them a loan by the European Investment Bank group. It is the other way around; people knock on our doors and we try and help as much as possible. One of the first criteria we look at is if there is a market failure – the EIB is active and will be active in those areas where other financial institutions will not go.

    One of the most important elements, which makes us such an important player in Europe, is that we have a very large unit of hundreds of engineers and economists, which not only work on making a loan and a financial proposition possible, but also look at the content and help each and every applicant, whether in the private sector or in the public sector, to bring about a project which really gives a return to European taxpayers.

    I noticed very well the remarks on small- and medium-sized enterprises, but also micro businesses, and I fully agree the access to credit for these companies, these very small companies, who are so important when it comes to the labour market inside the EU, is still an issue we really have to worry about and work on, and that’s what we are doing as the EIB group. We cannot do this directly with SMEs and micro businesses in Europe. We always go through a financial intermediary, mostly European commercial banks – a very important element of our business.

    I listened very carefully to the remarks on agriculture, and especially young farmers receive our attention when it comes to the area of agriculture. For this year, we envisage to invest at least EUR 3 billion in this area.

    In the area of housing, which was also mentioned by honourable Members, we are trying to leverage the financing we are going to make available to a couple of billion euro, hopefully in a couple of years, to EUR 300 billion annually. We have three priorities in the area of housing: one – innovation, supporting innovative building technologies like modular housing to make construction faster, cheaper and easier; second – sustainability, scaling up energy efficient renovation to reduce living costs when it comes to energy prices; and three – affordability, strengthening support for public investment tailored to the specific needs of each country and piloting private investments.

    Now, on the issue of climate, which is also close to a bit more than half of what we are doing annually. This is about climate adaptation; this is about dealing with droughts, it is about dealing with floods – we have seen both inside many countries of the European Union, and they require large-scale investment to counter. But also in the area of energy, we have to be more self-sufficient when it comes to energy. This requires investments, not only in the energy carriers but also in the grids, which is a big and very expensive investment too.

    Now, when it comes to high risk, some of the honourable Members have called for more risk. Others have said: no, we should not take risks. We are in the banking business and banking business is about giving a loan and getting a loan paid back with interest. But there are cases where this will not happen, and one of the examples was mentioned. But I want to stress here that when it comes to becoming more self-sufficient in the area of energy: we have provided more than EUR 6 billion over the past years to finance the sector and trying to find the best, innovative and technologically sound way forward when it comes to the energy sector. And we have to take into account too that sometimes we will fail by taking risks. But it’s part of the business of finding the best answer.

    Finally, Mr President, when it comes to the auditing that the European Investment Bank is undergoing, I have to say we are one of the most audited financial institutions in the European Union. Whether it’s from the Central Bank of Luxembourg, because we have our headquarters there, whether it’s from external accountants, external audit committees, I think we fulfil every obligation and every best bank banking practice around.

    Finally, on security and defence, we have done away with the concept of dual use, which means that today we can also invest directly in the domain of defence. Let’s talk about military mobility across Europe and the big corridors. And let’s also talk about the military bases we need to have more and more, especially in Central Europe.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ondřej Knotek, rapporteur. – Mr President, thank you Vice-President Fitto, Vice-President de Groot, thank you colleagues for the debate – the debate shows the high importance of the European Investment Bank, and also it shows the high level of expectation that the members in this House have of the institution, of the bank, about the role of the bank in achieving its goals and addressing risks, not only for you as such, but also for our Member States and, in the end, for our citizens and communities.

    I have been very grateful for many of the topics that have been put on the table during the debate: geographical balance, taking higher risks, focus on SMEs, climate adaptation, security, cybersecurity, housing, agriculture and cohesion, and, of course, many others. I am happy that the Budgetary Control Committee has put forward the report which touches on those topics, clearly describes the development and successes of the bank, but also the expectations and needs of the Parliament when it comes to the needs for investment and the future role of EIB, which this House, I believe, sees as a partner, and is looking forward to cooperating with in the very long term. Allow me once again to thank you for the chance of being a rapporteur, and I would like to invite all of you voting tomorrow to support the report.

    		  
       

    		 

      Preşedinte. – Mulțumesc, domnule raportor și vă urez succes cu acest raport.

    Cu această contribuție, dezbaterea este închisă. Votarea va avea loc mâine.

    		  

    22. Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (debate)


    		 

      Jacek Protas, Sprawozdawca. – Panie Przewodniczący! Szanowni Państwo! Panie Komisarzu! Debatujemy dzisiaj nad bardzo ważnym sprawozdaniem, które po przegłosowaniu stanie się stanowiskiem Parlamentu Europejskiego na temat przyszłości polityki spójności po 2027 roku. Dokument, którego jestem sprawozdawcą, był szeroko konsultowany z organizacjami i instytucjami reprezentującymi różne środowiska oraz z Komitetem Regionów Unii Europejskiej. Odzwierciedla poglądy zdecydowanej większości grup politycznych reprezentowanych w Parlamencie Europejskim.

    Oto 10 podstawowych tez, które w tym krótkim wystąpieniu chcę uwypuklić. Po pierwsze, polityka spójności jest głównym narzędziem Unii Europejskiej służącym inwestycjom w zrównoważony rozwój gospodarczy, społeczny i terytorialny, sprzyjającym zmniejszeniu różnic rozwojowych europejskich regionów.

    Po drugie, aby polityka spójności nadal odgrywała tę ważną rolę, musi mieć zapewnione po 2027 roku wystarczająco ambitne i łatwo dostępne finansowanie, co najmniej na poziomie obecnych wieloletnich ram finansowych w ujęciu realnym.

    Po trzecie, Parlament Europejski opowiada się za zdecentralizowanym modelem programowania i wdrażania polityki spójności, opartym na zasadzie partnerstwa i na wielopoziomowym sprawowaniu rządów. Tylko wtedy może być ona skuteczna i akceptowalna dla naszych obywateli. Sprzeciwiamy się wszelkim formom centralizacji i ograniczania roli władz regionalnych i lokalnych.

    Po czwarte, wzywamy do dalszych wysiłków na rzecz uproszczenia i uelastycznienia przepisów i procedur administracyjnych regulujących fundusze polityki spójności na szczeblu unijnym, krajowym i regionalnym. Kluczem do sukcesu może być zwiększenie elastyczności na etapie programowania i wdrażania z odejściem od sztywnych ram koncentracji tematycznej i z uwzględnieniem specyfiki regionów.

    Po piąte, podkreślamy jednocześnie konieczność zapewnienia przejrzystego, sprawiedliwego i odpowiedzialnego wykorzystywania zasobów Unii Europejskiej przy należytym zarządzaniu finansami, podkreślając rolę Europejskiego Urzędu do Spraw Zwalczania Nadużyć Finansowych i Prokuratury Europejskiej. Uznając także warunkowość w zakresie praworządności jako warunek podstawowy finansowania w ramach polityki spójności. Podkreślamy strategiczne znaczenie silnych regionów przygranicznych dla bezpieczeństwa i odporności Unii Europejskiej. Wzywamy Komisję Europejską do szczególnego wspierania regionów graniczących z Rosją, Białorusią i Ukrainą, by mogły radzić sobie ze skutkami społeczno-gospodarczymi wojny dla ich ludności i terytoriów.

    Zwracamy uwagę na konieczność specjalnego podejścia do problemów regionów najbardziej oddalonych i wyspiarskich, które stoją w obliczu wyjątkowych i skumulowanych wyzwań strukturalnych. Wyrażamy zaniepokojenie rosnącą liczbą regionów znajdujących się w pułapce rozwoju, które dotknięte są stagnacją gospodarczą, problemami demograficznymi i ograniczeniem dostępu do usług publicznych.

    Specyficznym i ukierunkowanym wsparciem powinny też być objęte obszary wiejskie, ale także miasta i obszary metropolitalne borykające się z własnymi poważnymi wyzwaniami. I w końcu nalegamy także, by polityka spójności dążyła do zwiększenia innowacyjności i ukończenia tworzenia jednolitego rynku Unii Europejskiej zgodnie z wnioskami zawartymi w sprawozdaniu Draghiego w sprawie konkurencyjności Europy.

    I na koniec, apelujemy o przestrzeganie zasady “nie szkodzić spójności”, by żadne działania nie utrudniały procesu konwergencji europejskich regionów.

    		  
       

    		 

      Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, thank you for the opportunity to address you today. First, let me thank the rapporteur, Mr Protas, for preparing this important report. This is particularly timely. I very much welcome the strong alignment with the Commission’s perspective. This shared perspective reinforces the fundamental message of the 9th Cohesion Report.

    Cohesion policy has a positive and significant impact in terms of convergence. It reduces the disparities among EU Member States and regions, it stimulates long-term growth and competitiveness, and it plays a key role in supporting public investment. To continue to achieve our goals, we need to bring the cohesion policy up to date, considering the current situations and challenges that we are facing. If we want a stronger, more resilient and competitive Europe, we must reinforce and relaunch the cohesion policy – both for the present and for the future.

    As many of you know, the mid-term review of the cohesion programme has been a central focus for me during these past months. The Commission’s recent proposals respond directly to many of your concerns. The proposal will bring more flexibility, more incentives and simple rules to allow Member States and the regions to respond to urgent challenges now – not waiting for the next period.

    In this regard, I would like to stress certain important aspects. First, the new priorities identified are affordable housing, water resilience, energy transition, competitiveness and defence.

    Second, since compliance with the review is voluntary, it will be up to each Member State to decide whether and how to update its programmes.

    Third, the cohesion policy funds remain under the shared responsibility of Member States and the regions under shared management.

    My ambition is clear: to modernise, simplify and strengthen cohesion policy so that it is more targeted and responsive, keeping our regions at the centre, and fully respecting the diversity and specific needs of our territories. This ambition is based on four key pillars.

    First, a tailor-made solution for the Member States will include the key reforms and investment, focusing on our joint priorities. They will be designed and implemented in close partnership with the national, regional and local authorities. I would like to underline that the principles of partnership, shared management, multilevel governance and the place-based approach will remain core principles of the cohesion policy.

    Second, we must also make cohesion policy more accessible, with fewer administrative burdens. We will work to reduce complexity and offer a more performance-based delivery mode to increase speed and efficiency, as underlined in your report.

    I will continue to advocate for a strong territorial dimension. This will ensure the cohesion policy addresses the real challenges faced by regions undergoing structural transitions, as your report rightly identifies. This includes our eastern border regions as well as less developed peripheral, remote and rural areas, islands and outermost regions.

    Honourable Members, I remain fully committed to the principles this House defends. The cohesion policy core mission has always been to stimulate growth and development across the EU. This mission remains as vital as ever, and this report marks an important step forward in that journey. Let us work together, speaking with one strong and united voice to make this mission a success.

    		  
       

    		 

      Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, Mr Vice-President, dear colleagues, we are having this debate at a very crucial moment. I would like to start by thanking Mr Protas for his work, because he dedicated a lot of his time, and he is a decent man who is doing a good job. In times when such crucial decisions are taken, I think those who contribute have to be mentioned.

    I would like to congratulate Mr Fitto for his efforts to increase the absorption rate of cohesion policy, and to speak to those who don’t believe in the future of cohesion. Because the future of the cohesion policy means the future for Europe. The Founding Fathers put cohesion policy in the Treaty on the Functioning of the Union. So, no cohesion policy means no European Union.

    I hope that with this we are going to put an end to the debate about the future of cohesion. Very rightly so, the Founding Fathers decided to have cohesion policy to balance the imbalances of the single market. So we need regions and cities in.

    I am against – and a lot of other colleagues are against – further centralising cohesion policy and isolating mayors, regions and cities from the governing of this policy. We need more Europe at local level, not less. Every euro spent at local level solving local problems means more Europe tomorrow.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sérgio Gonçalves, em nome do Grupo S&D. – Senhor Presidente, Senhor Vice-Presidente Raffaele Fitto, gostaria de começar por agradecer ao relator e a todos os grupos políticos pela postura construtiva demonstrada ao longo das negociações deste relatório. Acredito que o Parlamento Europeu envia hoje uma mensagem clara: a política de coesão deve ser mantida descentralizada, onde as autoridades locais e regionais tenham um papel fundamental, quer na definição das políticas, quer na sua implementação.

    Estamos conscientes dos desafios estruturantes que a Europa enfrenta, como a defesa e a segurança, o alargamento ou as migrações. Mas não podemos desvirtuar o objetivo principal da política de coesão de reduzir as disparidades entre as várias regiões europeias, promovendo o desenvolvimento sustentável e dando respostas a problemas específicos, como é o caso da habitação.

    Este relatório reafirma a necessidade de a Europa se adaptar aos desafios que tem pela frente, assegurando, em simultâneo, o respeito pelo princípio da subsidiariedade que sempre norteou a política de coesão. É nesta Europa que acreditamos, é por esta Europa que continuaremos a lutar.

    		  
       

    		 

      Séverine Werbrouck, au nom du groupe PfE. – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, une fois de plus, nous constatons l’inquiétante dérive fédéraliste de l’Union européenne au travers de ce rapport sur la bien mal nommée «politique de cohésion» – celle-là même qui sert à financer à perte le développement des pays fraîchement intégrés, sur le dos des travailleurs français qui n’ont malheureusement plus le luxe de la charité.

    Dans l’Union, quand une politique dysfonctionne, la solution consiste toujours à augmenter son budget et à élargir son champ d’application. Vous demandez plus de largesse pour utiliser les fonds, vous les superposez – fonds de cohésion, fonds d’urgence, politique sectorielle –, vous éparpillez les objectifs – climatiques, numériques, démographiques et bien d’autres –, vous offrez un statut de quasi-État aux régions et enfin, vous en arrivez à votre serpent de mer habituel, celui de la prétendue nécessité de percevoir des ressources propres, dernier clou dans le cercueil de notre souveraineté.

    Mais ne pourrait-on pas mieux utiliser cet argent? Le rendement annuel surévalué et médiocre est d’environ 4 % sur chaque euro investi, ce qui correspond à des centaines de milliards, alors que des politiques industrielles nationales, que vous interdisez, permettraient, par exemple, des profits bien supérieurs et des résultats plus concrets pour la France.

    Nous continuerons de nous opposer à votre agenda fédéraliste spoliateur pour les Français.

    		  
       

    		 

      Antonella Sberna, a nome del gruppo ECR. – Signor Presidente, signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, la politica di coesione è il volto visibile dell’Europa nei territori: è quella che riapre un asilo nido in un piccolo comune dove i genitori erano costretti a fare diversi chilometri al giorno per portare i figli a scuola; è quella che permette a un’impresa di digitalizzarsi e restare sul mercato o che finanzia un’unità mobile di assistenza sanitaria che porta cure e visite mediche a chi non ha alternative.

    Eppure, leggendo questa relazione, emerge chiaramente che la distanza tra le intenzioni e la realtà è ancora troppo ampia. Se vogliamo che la coesione resti una leva per la crescita e non solo un capitolo di spesa, dobbiamo cambiare approccio: lo sta facendo il Commissario Fitto con la proposta di modifica di medio termine della politica di coesione, la cui procedura d’urgenza abbiamo appena votato in commissione REGI.

    Il gruppo ECR ha presentato diversi emendamenti che vanno in una direzione molto chiara: anche i comuni devono accedere direttamente ai fondi insieme alle regioni. Un sindaco che vuole riqualificare un edificio scolastico, creare uno spazio per giovani e anziani, non può affrontare ostacoli amministrativi da grande ente. Tutto deve essere più semplice e flessibile. Chi lavora con persone fragili non può impiegare mesi solo per capire come rendicontare un finanziamento.

    Servono regole che si adattino ai territori e non territori che devono seguire regole troppo rigide, perché la politica di coesione serve là dove il mercato non arriva. Io credo in una coesione che non misuri solo la spesa ma il cambiamento che genera; che non si perda nella burocrazia, ma che parli il linguaggio della concretezza, della prossimità e dell’equità.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ľubica Karvašová, za skupinu Renew. – Vážená pani predsedajúca, na Deň Európy organizujem podujatie s regiónmi. Volá sa Ruka v ruke za našu Európu. Prečo? Pretože regióny sú miesto, kde začína, ale veľakrát, bohužiaľ, aj končí podpora pre našu Úniu. Počúvam županov, primátorov, ľudí, ktorí v nich žijú. A posolstvo je jasné: chceme byť súčasťou EÚ. Dnes ale napríklad hrozí, že slovenská vláda sa chystá presunúť 400 miliónov EUR z rúk samospráv na svoje priority. Aj keď mnohé projekty sú už pripravené a obce na ne vyčlenili svoje zdroje. To je neprípustné. Kohézna politika v prvom v prvom rade patrí ľuďom v regiónoch na ich dlhodobý rozvoj. Zároveň zohráva kľúčovú úlohu v podpore Európskej únie v regiónoch. Ako tieňová spravodajkyňa som preto presadila dôležitý princíp, aby mali regióny a mestá priamejší prístup k európskym zdrojom, a to vďaka nástrojom ako integrované územné investície. A chcem sa poďakovať spravodajcovi Jacekovi Protasovi za prácu na celej správe, ale aj za to, že sa nám v tejto téme podarilo nájsť nateraz dobrý kompromis.

    		  
       

    		 

      Gordan Bosanac, u ime kluba Verts/ALE. – Poštovani predsjedavajući, povjereniče, kohezijska politika je valjda uz politike proširenja jedna od najuspješnijih politika Europske unije i to će ovaj deveti izvještaj također potvrditi, o tome koliko smo smanjili nejednakosti, i regionalne i socijalne, diljem teritorija Europske unije.

    Posebno mi je zanimljivo da se govori o tome kako je ona važna u borbi protiv klimatskih promjena i nastavljamo dalje u tom smjeru, a naravno, mene će posebno zanimati uloga malih gradova i gradova i regija, koji ponovno u ovom devetom izvještaju se naglašava da im je potreban direktan pristup financiranju. Jer znate, često se govori o tom multi level, načinu konzultacija, razgovorima, ali u realnosti stvari su drugačije – konzultacije izostaju, gradovi ostaju izbačeni.

    Vi imate, na primjer, mog premijera moje zemlje koji govori da je on sam donio koheziju i fondove iz Europske unije u Hrvatsku. Kao da gradovi ne provode tu politiku. Vjerojatno ga vi možete, povjereniče, ispraviti.

    Ali ono što je sada pred nama je nova era kohezijske politike i vi ste došli pred ovaj parlament s novim prijedlogom, u vrlo vrlo brzoj proceduri. Maloprije smo na Odboru regija izglasali, nažalost, brzu proceduru i ono što se ja sada brinem da je EPP zajedno s ekstremnom desnicom išao na neki način poniziti ovaj parlament i gurnuti sve ovo kroz vrlo vrlo brzu proceduru, a radi se o temeljnoj politici koja je jedna od najuspješnijih politika Europske unije zajedno s proširenjem.

    Ja ću vas još jednom pozvati, vrijeme je možda da ipak povučemo hitnu proceduru i vratimo budućnost kohezije u redovnu parlamentarnu proceduru.

    		  
       

    		 

      Kathleen Funchion, on behalf of The Left Group. – Mr President, thank you, Commissioner, for being here. I firstly want to thank Mr Protas and all his team for their cooperation and work, as in many ways this is the report the European Parliament needs. It is ambitious for a well-budgeted and progressive cohesion policy.

    However, it has a major flaw, which means it fails the litmus test for myself and for my colleagues on the Left. It opens the door to the militarisation of cohesion policy.

    Let’s take a step back and think about what that means. Cohesion policy, the flagship policy of solidarity of the EU, is now on the road, with the Parliament’s blessing, to being just another military policy. This is shameful.

    We are, of course, all aware of the geopolitical realities. But is nothing sacred? Is absolutely everything now just fuel for the fire and drive towards the militarisation agenda of the EU? Our regions, all of them, need investment and need the EU to help protect jobs, develop our environment and support our workers in these very uncertain times.

    Yet this report, which I acknowledge has many strengths, says that spending on military infrastructure, disguised as so-called dual technology, is as important as investing in our workers or our infrastructure.

    Let’s be clear that each cent diverted into military spending is a cent taken away from my constituency of Ireland South, and all of our regions. The EU cohesion policy that funded roads and funded jobs and funded some of our community childcare facilities in Ireland is now being used to feed the war machine. This is a new low and I call upon all MEPs, especially our Irish MEPs, to reject it.

    		  
       

    		 

      Irmhild Boßdorf, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Kaum Erfolge, Milliarden an deutschen Steuergeldern versickern – das ist die traurige Bilanz der REGI‑Förderung. Weniger Armut, mehr Jobs, weniger Abwanderung aus ländlichen Regionen – Fehlanzeige, trotz 270 Milliarden Euro Förderung. Doch was ist eigentlich mit dem vielen Geld passiert? Ich habe Elisa Ferreira, die letzte REGI‑Kommissarin, danach gefragt. Sie hat zugegeben, dass es nicht um Kosten und Nutzen geht, sondern um Frieden, Freiheit und Wohlstand. Schließlich würden diese Mittel auch helfen, rechtspopulistische Parteien im ländlichen Raum einzudämmen.

    Tatsächlich gab es im vergangenen Jahr eine Studie der Uni Kiel, die nachgewiesen hat, dass ohne die REGI‑Mittel rechte Parteien in entlegenen Regionen zwei bis drei Prozent mehr bekommen hätten. 270 Milliarden umgewidmet in den Kampf gegen Rechts – das ist ungeheuerlich. Machen wir den ländlichen Raum wieder lebenswert. Setzen wir die REGI‑Mittel endlich für unsere Heimat ein.

    		  
       

    		 

      Gabriella Gerzsenyi (PPE). – Tisztelt Kollégák! Tisztelt Alelnök Úr! Szeretném megköszönni mindazoknak az eddigi munkáját, akik ezen a jelentésen dolgoztak. Kulcsfontosságú megállapításokat tartalmaz, olyanokat, hogy a beruházások helyben tudnak jobban megvalósulni, hogy a források felhasználási szabályait egyszerűsíteni szükséges, hogy a vállalkozások adminisztratív terheit csökkenteni kell, és hogy ne üres szólam maradjon az az alapelv, hogy senkit nem hagyunk hátra, senkit nem hagyunk magára. Hogy gondolnunk kell a fogyatékossággal élő személyekre, a vidéki területekre, az elnéptelenedő régiókra, hiszen Európa biztonságának záloga, hogy együtt maradunk, együtt vagyunk erősek a globális kihívások közepette. Külön öröm számomra, hogy a helyi és regionális szereplők partnerségének megemlítése és megerősítése a szövegben hangsúlyt kap. Külön öröm ez magyarként, a Tisza képviselőjeként, hiszen mi azon dolgozunk, hogy a helyi és regionális szereplők, a városok, az önkormányzatok szót kaphassanak, hogy meghallgassák őket, hogy bevonják, hogy partnerként kezeljék, és hogy forrásokhoz jussanak. Kormányra kerülése után a Tisza Párt azon fog dolgozni továbbra is, hogy minél több uniós forrást hazahozhasson és biztosíthasson a kedvezményezetteknek, akiknek ezek járnak.

    		  
       

    		 

      Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D). – Señor presidente, señor vicepresidente, la política de cohesión es la política social de la Unión Europea, la política que invierte en hospitales, la política que invierte en centros de salud, en escuelas, la política que invierte en carreteras. Es la política que nos ayudará a alcanzar nuestros objetivos a pesar de los retos que tenemos por delante.

    Nos ayudará a completar la transición ecológica, digital y social; a que todas las regiones de la Unión Europea avancen al mismo ritmo. Y lo hará a pesar de las dificultades: la pandemia, la guerra en Europa, la nueva era de Trump.

    Para conseguirlo, necesitamos una política de cohesión que refuerce sus cimientos, que tenga en mente a los ciudadanos, que tenga menos trabas burocráticas, que potencie la participación de regiones y de ciudades. Necesitamos una política de cohesión que invierta en un parque público de viviendas y que esté condicionada a cumplir con el Estado de Derecho. Necesitamos una política de cohesión que tenga presupuestos suficientes para afrontar los nuevos retos.

    		  
       

    		 

      Mélanie Disdier (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, la proposition de résolution dont nous débattons ce soir porte sur la cohésion entre tous les territoires d’Europe. Ceci est censé être une bonne chose, mais, malheureusement, même lorsque les propositions se fondent sur les meilleures intentions, la Commission européenne et ses soutiens réussissent à y injecter leur poison.

    C’est ainsi qu’on y retrouve insidieusement la promotion de la conditionnalité des aides. Selon eux, ceux qui s’opposent à la Commission devraient se voir priver des aides auxquelles ils ont droit, alors même qu’ils ont participé à leur financement. Au nom d’un état de droit à géométrie variable, certains voudraient donc faire pression sur un gouvernement démocratiquement élu – les mêmes qui, par ailleurs, sont étrangement silencieux lorsque l’on révèle que la Commission finance des ONG pour faire du lobbying.

    Les Européens méritent mieux que vos discours creux où les bonnes intentions ne sont que de façade – des discours où vous déplorez la diminution des fonds nationaux tout en étant responsables des causes, des discours qui prônent la décentralisation alors que vous voulez contourner la volonté nationale.

    La cohésion de l’Europe ne doit pas être uniquement sociale, elle doit être aussi démocratique.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ciaran Mullooly (Renew). – Mr President, I welcome this report and its well-rounded assessment of what cohesion funds and policy actually stand for today. I compliment the rapporteurs.

    The report makes it clear, however, that stark disparities remain among the EU’s regions, especially in rural areas. And in this context, I support the report’s call for the need to address these disparities and simplify access to the funds, Commissioner: simplification.

    As a rapporteur of Parliament’s own-initiative report on the just transition, I am glad to see the report calling for the continuation of that process and ensuring its reinforced financial means for the post-2027 period.

    However, I’m less happy with the announcement in the mid-term review of the cohesion policy of what seems to be the exclusion of my country, Ireland, from the one-year extension of the current year transition fund? I don’t understand it. We must seek adequate flexibility in the capacity for Member States, such as Ireland, to have full access to the extended timeline to provide extra time to spend their allocations.

    As an MEP, I know how vital cohesion policy is for the regions. As we prepare for the next programming period, let’s ensure cohesion policy remains properly funded, simplified and accessible to all the regions.

    		  
       


    		 

      Valentina Palmisano (The Left). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, per il Movimento Cinque Stelle i fondi di coesione sono quella straordinaria opportunità di investire nelle persone, nella loro istruzione, nella loro crescita professionale, nelle infrastrutture, nella sanità pubblica. In una parola: per ridurre il divario tra territori ricchi e territori poveri.

    Il rapporto che discutiamo oggi introduce in modo ambiguo la possibilità di utilizzare questi fondi per tecnologie militari, nascondendosi dietro la dicitura dual use, doppio uso. Ecco, per fare un esempio, potremmo utilizzare i fondi di coesione per comprare droni da impiegare anche nei teatri di guerra.

    Per noi questo cambiamento di rotta è inaccettabile: la politica di coesione non è nata per sostenere le industrie belliche della difesa ma per dare risposte concrete ai bisogni sociali, economici e ambientali dei territori più fragili.

    E Lei, Commissario Fitto, lo sa bene, visto che proveniamo entrambi da una regione che ha una necessità vitale di questi fondi. Quindi, per noi nessun euro va dirottato verso la logica del riarmo. Difendere la coesione significa difendere la pace, l’equità e il diritto di ogni territorio ad avere un futuro sostenibile.

    		  
       

    		 

      Krzysztof Hetman (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Panie Komisarzu! Ile to już razy na tej sali rozmawialiśmy o tym, co trzeba zrobić, jeśli chodzi o politykę spójności? Ile razy omawialiśmy tego typu sprawozdania, z których płynął zawsze ten sam wniosek, który mamy także i tym razem – uelastycznić i uprościć politykę spójności.

    Panie Komisarzu, wielu przed Panem to zapowiadało. Nikomu nie udało się tego zrobić. Może być Pan pierwszy, może stać się Pan bohaterem wszystkich beneficjentów polityki spójności w całej Unii Europejskiej, tych beneficjentów, którzy z coraz mniejszym zainteresowaniem patrzą w stronę polityki spójności, biorąc pod uwagę tę całą biurokrację, którą muszą przebrnąć, aby te pieniądze uzyskać. Szczególnie, gdy porównują to do procedur związanych z krajowymi planami odbudowy.

    Cieszę się, że w sprawozdaniu przygotowanym przez Parlament Europejski, znalazło się miejsce dla obronności, dla wsparcia produktów podwójnego zastosowania na rynek wojskowy i cywilny. To niezwykle ważne w tej chwili.

    I na koniec chciałbym, Panie Komisarzu, odnotować z zadowoleniem, że dostrzega Pan potrzebę pomocy regionom przygranicznym, które odczuwają skutki agresji Rosji na Ukrainę. Jeśli chce Pan rzeczywiście im pomóc, trzeba natychmiast zmienić mapę intensywności pomocy publicznej. Każdy przedsiębiorca ocenia ryzyko. Jeśli będzie mógł uzyskać wsparcie, które to ryzyko zmniejszy, z pewnością tam zainwestuje.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sabrina Repp (S&D). – Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar! Die Kohäsionspolitik ist eine europäische Erfolgsgeschichte – sichtbar, wirksam und unverzichtbar für den Zusammenhalt in unseren Regionen. Wie der neunte Kohäsionsbericht zeigt, entfalten die Investitionen spürbare Wirkung, insbesondere in strukturschwachen Gebieten. Der wiederholte Vorwurf vom Kommissar, dass zu wenig Gelder abgerufen würden, ist irreführend. Die Mittel sind verplant, Projekte sind längst auf dem Weg.

    Kohäsionspolitik und Kohäsionsmittel sind keine Reservekasse für spontane politische Richtungswechsel. Sie dienen einer langfristigen Entwicklung, gerade auch im ländlichen Raum. Doch genau diese Räume drohen nun erneut, ins Hintertreffen zu geraten. Der Gesetzentwurf zur Halbzeitbewertung verlagert Mittel zugunsten urbaner und industrieller Zentren – entgegen dem Versprechen, insbesondere ländliche Räume in den Blick zu nehmen. Wer Kohäsionspolitik ernst nimmt, muss ländliche Räume stärken. Wir sollten die Prinzipien der Kohäsionspolitik wahren, statt die dafür vorgesehenen Gelder gießkannenartig und zweckfremd auszuschütten. Denn Kohäsionspolitik ist das Fundament eines widerstandsfähigen und vor allem demokratischen Europas, das wir gerade mehr denn je brauchen.

    		  
       

       

    PRESIDENZA: PINA PICIERNO
    Vicepresidente

    		  
       

    		 

      Julien Leonardelli (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire Fitto, chers collègues, ce neuvième rapport sur la cohésion économique et sociale ne peut passer sous silence l’une des urgences vitales pour nos territoires: l’eau.

    En France, chez moi, en Occitanie, comme dans tant d’autres régions européennes, les sols s’assèchent, les nappes s’épuisent et les conflits d’usage se multiplient. L’agriculture est menacée, la santé publique est fragilisée et nos villages perdent leur souffle, car, oui, l’eau, c’est la vie. Cependant, au lieu d’aider les peuples à faire face à cela, les technocrates imposent une vision centralisée, hors sol et obnubilés par le réchauffement climatique.

    À chaque urgence concrète, ils répondent par des rapports abstraits. Ils freinent les retenues d’eau, ils entravent les initiatives locales et ils accablent ceux qui nourrissent nos nations, nos paysans.

    Cela n’est pas notre Europe. L’Europe que nous voulons, c’est l’Europe des peuples, celle qui défend les nations – les nations gardant la maîtrise de leurs ressources – et où les décisions sont prises au plus près du terrain et non imposées par une bureaucratie lointaine et idéologique.

    L’heure est venue de redonner aux nations leur souveraineté hydraulique, de protéger l’eau comme un bien commun, nécessaire au développement urbain et touristique, indispensable à notre agriculture, à notre industrie et à nos territoires. Sans eau, il n’y aura ni renaissance rurale, ni cohésion, ni avenir pour nos enfants.

    		  
       


    		 

      Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin! Viele Menschen haben Angst in diesen Zeiten. Menschen, die in ländlichen Regionen oder in Grenzregionen leben, haben Angst, ihren Job zu verlieren oder abgehängt zu werden, weil die Bahn nicht mehr fährt oder das Krankenhaus vor Ort schließt. Viele Menschen in Metropolen haben Angst, dass ihre Einkommen durch die hohen Mieten oder hohe Lebenshaltungskosten aufgefressen werden und sie nicht mehr mithalten können. Viele Menschen merken, dass das Leben nicht mehr so einfach ist. Und ich finde, dass die Europäische Union ein klares Versprechen für ein gutes Leben an alle Menschen in der Europäischen Union abgeben muss. Dafür kann die Europäische Union zuständig sein, und die Kohäsionspolitik ist dafür ein sehr zentrales Element.

    Es ist wirklich sehr schön zu hören, dass sich der Kommissionsvizepräsident Fitto hier heute dem Bericht angeschlossen hat, den wir im Parlament verhandelt haben. Aber ich muss auch ganz ehrlich sagen: Das passt nicht zur Realität, wie wir sie wahrnehmen. Die Realität ist, dass die EU‑Kommission weiter Zentralisierungspläne hat, dass die Kohäsionsgelder zukünftig in nationalen Plänen ausgezahlt werden müssen, dass Regionen die Gelder nicht mehr bekommen, dass soziale Organisationen, dass kleine Unternehmen, dass Gewerkschaften in Zukunft ausgeschlossen werden. Und das will ich ganz deutlich sagen: Das darf nicht passieren, und dafür setzen wir uns auch mit diesem Bericht zur Wehr.

    Wir sagen aber auch, dass die Kohäsionspolitik besser werden muss. Es muss einfacher werden, EU‑Fördermittel zu bekommen, es muss weiterhin klare Ziele geben – soziale Ziele und grüne Ziele –, und wir brauchen direkte Instrumente für Städte, damit auch sie besser an EU‑Fördermitteln partizipieren können. Hier im Parlament sind wir uns einig. Jetzt kommt es darauf an, dass Sie handeln und dass Sie im Sommer den richtigen Vorschlag machen und sich an der Position des Parlaments orientieren.

    		  
       

    		 

      Έλενα Κουντουρά (The Left). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, η πολιτική συνοχής έχει βασικό στόχο την επίτευξη ισόρροπης ανάπτυξης σε όλη την Ευρώπη μέσω της κοινωνικής, οικονομικής και εδαφικής σύγκλισης όλων των περιφερειών. Ωστόσο, παρά την πρόοδο, είμαστε ακόμα πολύ μακριά από την επίτευξη αυτών των κρίσιμων στόχων.

    Η πράσινη και η ψηφιακή μετάβαση, η στεγαστική κρίση, η κλιματική κρίση, το υψηλό μεταφορικό και ενεργειακό κόστος δημιουργούν νέες προκλήσεις για τις τοπικές κοινωνίες, ειδικά στα νησιά και στις απομακρυσμένες περιοχές.

    Η ιδέα χρηματοδότησης αμυντικών τεχνολογιών από τα Ταμεία Συνοχής πρέπει να απορριφθεί. Χρειαζόμαστε ενίσχυση της χρηματοδότησης της πολιτικής συνοχής στο νέο Πολυετές Δημοσιονομικό Πλαίσιο. Πρέπει να διασφαλίσουμε ότι θα βασίζεται στις ιδιαίτερες ανάγκες των τοπικών κοινωνιών, στην αρχή της πολυεπίπεδης διακυβέρνησης, στο αποκεντρωμένο μοντέλο προγραμματισμού και στην ενισχυμένη συμμετοχή των περιφερειακών αρχών.

    Τέλος, θα πρέπει να αντιμετωπιστούν οι ενδοπεριφερειακές ανισότητες σε επίπεδο NUTS 3, συνυπολογίζοντας παράγοντες πέραν του περιφερειακού ΑΕΠ, όπως η δημογραφική ερήμωση, η νησιωτικότητα, η περιβαλλοντική επιβάρυνση και η ποιότητα ζωής.

    		  
       

    		 

      Isabelle Le Callennec (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire Fitto, la politique de cohésion vise la réduction des disparités économiques, sociales et territoriales au sein de l’Union européenne, et pèse pour un tiers de son budget. La politique de cohésion, parfaitement identifiée et incarnation de l’Europe dans nos territoires, est au cœur du projet européen et ne saurait être remise en cause. A contrario, elle doit être renforcée dans ses budgets et améliorée dans sa mise en œuvre.

    Non à une ponction des fonds de cohésion à d’autres fins que celles pour lesquelles ils ont été créés. Oui à un régime spécial et légitime pour les régions ultrapériphériques, non à une recentralisation de la gestion. Oui à une simplification du fonctionnement; non à une utilisation des fonds inadéquate et oui à une meilleure synergie avec les programmes sectoriels de l’Union et le soutien de la BEI dans les investissements d’avenir.

    À vous écouter, Monsieur le Commissaire Fitto, j’ai bon espoir que nous soyons enfin entendus.

    		  
       

    		 

      Maravillas Abadía Jover (PPE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, la política de cohesión es una palanca esencial de la competitividad europea, pero Europa sufre hoy un déficit de ejecución para su ambición global. La revisión intermedia muestra avances, pero también revela un problema grave: las tasas de absorción son inaceptablemente bajas.

    En España, donde Eurostat confirma una vez más el triste liderazgo del paro en Europa, la ejecución del Fondo Social es del 0 %. Esta parálisis no es un fallo de Bruselas, sino de una gestión centralizada ineficaz y de una burocracia que bloquea inversiones estratégicas. La cohesión no se consigue con papeles, sino invirtiendo en la vida cotidiana: en empleos de calidad, en trenes que circulen con normalidad, en el acceso garantizado al agua, en luz encendida cada día y no en apagones de los cuales aún no hay respuesta.

    Para lograrlo, los entes locales y regionales deben tener un papel protagonista. Son ellos los que mejor conocen las necesidades reales. La política de cohesión debe garantizar una ejecución eficaz, promover inversiones de calado y seguir siendo el motor de una Europa fuerte, solidaria y competitiva.

    		  
       

    		 

      Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral (PPE). – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Vice-Presidente Raffaele Fitto, a política de coesão tem de ter um orçamento robusto, e recorda-se que cada euro investido através desta política deverá ser multiplicado por três até 2040. Isto só será possível se envolvermos as autoridades regionais e locais numa abordagem multinível no seu desenho e gestão, respeitando o princípio da subsidiariedade e de parceria.

    Este tem de continuar a ser o principal instrumento no combate às desigualdades regionais. No último quadro, a política de coesão representou 13 % de todo o investimento público na União Europeia e 51 % nos Estados-Membros das regiões menos desenvolvidas. Isto mostra que é a maior política de investimentos da União Europeia e beneficia todos os Estados-Membros, direta ou indiretamente.

    O relatório refere ainda flexibilidade na gestão que defende, quer para os beneficiários, quer para as administrações, e saúdo, portanto, o nosso relator Protas por isto.

    Destaco apenas as regiões ultraperiféricas, com os seus desafios estruturais permanentes, que devem continuar a ter uma abordagem específica, como estabelecido no artigo 349.º do Tratado. Mas são também territórios de elevado potencial estratégico para a União, com condições únicas para liderar processos de inovação territorial.

    É essencial que a Comissão Europeia promova sempre avaliações de impacto nessas regiões de novas propostas legislativas, para evitarmos erros como o ETS e evitarmos sobrecargas regulatórias que possam comprometer o seu desenvolvimento económico e social. E termino com um desafio: os transportes são a principal limitação da competitividade das empresas nas RUP e por isso precisamos urgentemente de um POSEI Transportes.

    (O orador aceita responder a uma pergunta «cartão azul»)

    		  
       

    		 

      João Oliveira (The Left), Pergunta segundo o procedimento «cartão azul». – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Deputado Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, os fundos de coesão são um instrumento absolutamente essencial para países como Portugal, para garantir o desenvolvimento e a coesão nas suas três dimensões — económica, social e territorial.

    Ora, este relatório faz uma referência direta à promoção do investimento em projetos e bens de dupla utilização, ou seja, com dimensão militar e civil. E as perguntas que lhe faço são duas: primeiro, se o senhor deputado está de acordo com esta possibilidade de desvio de fundos da coesão para fins militares e, em segundo lugar, como é que o senhor deputado entende que o desvio de fundos de coesão para objetivos militares pode servir o desenvolvimento de países como Portugal.

    		  
       

    		 

      Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral (PPE), Resposta segundo o procedimento «cartão azul». – Senhor Deputado, de facto, há esta referência numa lógica facultativa, não é obrigatório — os Estados-Membros podem utilizar esta possibilidade para desenvolver a sua indústria militar, como foi apresentado também aqui na revisão intercalar da política de coesão.

    Neste caso específico, a indústria militar pode ser considerada de várias formas. Falamos também daquilo que mais valoriza o território, desde logo a ocupação do território, a promoção das zonas rurais, e falo também daquilo que tem que ver com a possibilidade que nós temos para desenvolver estes mesmos locais, essas mesmas zonas rurais com alguma indústria. Pode estar diretamente relacionado, ou não, com as questões militares, mas, por exemplo, a agricultura também pode ser considerada segurança e defesa, autonomia alimentar — a autonomia estratégica da União Europeia também tem de ser considerada.

    Não vejo no relatório uma obrigação; vejo uma possibilidade para aumentar a taxa de execução dos fundos de coesão.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nikolina Brnjac (PPE). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, povjereniče, drage kolegice i kolege, deveto izvješće o koheziji potvrđuje ono što znamo iz prakse, a to je da kohezijska politika donosi konkretne i donosi mjerljive rezultate.

    Kao zastupnica iz Republike Hrvatske iz prve ruke svjedočim koliko su upravo kohezijska ulaganja ključna za ravnomjerni razvoj naših regija, za jačanje naših gospodarstava, za prometnu i socijalnu infrastrukturu, ali koliko su važna i za očuvanje radnih mjesta. No, pred nama su i dalje važni i ozbiljni izazovi: od demografskog pada i administrativnih prepreka do niske apsorpcije sredstava.

    Kao koordinatorica EPP-a u Odboru za stambenu krizu, posebno pozdravljam što izvješće prepoznaje stratešku važnost ulaganja u priuštivo stanovanje. To je temelj socijalne kohezije, zadržavanje mladih i obitelji i radne snage u našim regijama te borbe protiv depopulacije.

    Za Hrvatsku i druge članice, manje države članice, snažna, fleksibilna i pojednostavljena kohezijska politika i nakon 2027. godine mora ostati prioritet. Europska unija mora ostati savez jednakih prilika za sve.

    		  
       

       

    Procedura “catch-the-eye”

    		  
       

    		 

      Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señora presidenta, señor vicepresidente Fitto, lo ha escuchado usted claramente: una mayoría de este Parlamento Europeo concuerda en que la política de cohesión es la razón de ser de Europa, correctora de desigualdades –también territoriales– en origen.

    Tiene que ser particularmente sensible con regiones expuestas a conflictos en su frontera inmediata –como es el caso de la guerra de Ucrania– y en regiones particularmente expuestas por ser la primera línea ante el hecho migratorio –como es el caso de las regiones ultraperiféricas–. Pero, además de eso, este Parlamento subraya que sí es posible simplificar la gestión de los fondos de cohesión y los fondos de solidaridad distintivos de la Unión Europea sin que ello perjudique su gestión compartida y su gobernanza multinivel, y que –por tanto– le permita rendir cuentas asimismo en su gestión regional.

    Se presenta, además, un objetivo muy importante: que tengan financiación suficiente para atender las nuevas prioridades, las emergencias y las catástrofes climáticas –cada vez más frecuentes– y, sobre todo, la extrapolación de la política social europea a la política de vivienda, que es el gran desafío de la solidaridad intergeneracional en la Unión Europea.

    		  
       

    		 

      João Oliveira (The Left). – Senhora Presidente, a política de coesão é, de facto, um instrumento absolutamente essencial para combater desigualdades económicas, sociais e territoriais, e garantir que todos os países possam, efetivamente, ter a possibilidade de estar no mesmo patamar de desenvolvimento.

    Mas, para isso, é absolutamente essencial aumentar o investimento dos fundos de coesão e garantir que eles não sejam negligenciados. E, também, não associar a política de coesão a um modelo de financiamento baseado em objetivos ou resultados, como muitas vezes a Comissão Europeia procura querer, porque isso é, naturalmente, um elemento de limitação na possibilidade da utilização mais adequada dos fundos de coesão à realidade e à circunstância de cada país.

    É também absolutamente essencial garantir uma governação descentralizada, com o nível adequado de articulação entre governos nacionais, regionais e locais, e assegurando que as estratégias locais de desenvolvimento sejam de responsabilidade partilhada e que não sejam impostas a cada região e a cada localidade.

    Por fim, é absolutamente essencial garantir que o próximo quadro financeiro plurianual tenha um nível adequado de investimento na política de coesão, garantindo que o princípio da coesão seja um princípio horizontal que atravessa todas as políticas setoriais como critério de decisão para que esses objetivos de coesão possam ser alcançados.

    		  
       


    		 

      Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, domnule comisar, stimați colegi, politica de coeziune este esența Uniunii Europene. Nu o să putem, domnule comisar, să consolidăm și să fie puternică piața unică în raport cu piața globală dacă nu vom rezolva politica de coeziune.

    Și cred că s-au făcut câteva greșeli: nu analizăm prea des efectele, pentru că dacă nu reușim să avem coeziune socială, să eliminăm disparitățile sociale, uitați-vă între est și vest, uitați-vă între regiunile periferice, între rural și urban. Deci, dacă nu reușim să facem aceste lucruri, înseamnă că nu avem politică de coeziune.

    Apoi, ca să poată să aibă acces la bani, și cei din rural, și întreprinderile mici și mijlocii și zonele îndepărtate, trebuie foarte multă flexibilitate, foarte mult pus accent pe rezultate, simplificare, descentralizare, foarte important. Și sigur că trebuie, așa cum s-a și spus aici, trebuie să avem grijă acum ca țările care sunt în regiunile vecine cu Rusia, cu Bielorusia, cu Ucraina, cum este și țara mea, România, să aibă fonduri alocate, pentru că aceste state au preluat cetățeni ucraineni, copii ucraineni și nu putem să susținem singuri.

    Politica de coeziune este cea care va da viitorul Uniunii Europene!

    		  
       

       

    (Fine della procedura “catch the eye”)

    		  
       

    		 

      Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, Members, thank you for this debate. Let me begin by thanking you all for your valuable contributions. I have listened closely to your comments and concerns. Your insights this evening confirm a strong, shared commitment to the future of cohesion policy, one that is modern, responsive and grounded in the real needs of our regions. The status quo is not an option.

    You spoke about the role of the regions, the role of the cities, less bureaucracy, defending the principles of cohesion, defending the financial dimension, the simplification; these are the most important issues that you raised and I agree with you, but it’s important to underline some points. For example, we cannot defend the cohesion policy as it is if we want to give a future to this policy. About defence, for example, you know that – some of you know that and said that –defence now is a new opportunity that the Commission gives with the mid-term review. Well, you know that the current programmes are already financing some projects on defence. The mid-term review gives the possibility on a voluntary basis to use all of the five priorities, or some of the priorities, or, if the Member States can simply decide to not use the mid-term review, solve the problem. There is not an obligatory decision of the European Commission. There is not a transfer of money from cohesion. I want to be clear, it’s important to be clear about this point. This is a voluntary basis. And now we have these opportunities because in the current programmes, without a mid-term review, there is the opportunity, the possibility, to use the resources of cohesion for defence. We have some clear examples in this way. It’s important to have the right approach between us, because I think that for the mid-term review to be successful, we must act swiftly and a modernised policy framework needs to be in place as soon as possible so that Member States and the regions can choose which investments should be directed towards our new and emerging priorities without delay. At the same time, we must remain attentive to the ongoing challenges that many EU regions continue to face – challenges clearly highlighted in the Cohesion Report. We also have a duty to ensure that every euro we spend delivers maximum impact.

    Honourable Members, cohesion policy has proven its value time and again. Its core principles – partnership, shared management, multi-level governance, place-based approach – are not just a technical terms, they are what makes this policy work, what brings Europe closer to its citizens. With a renewed vision and determination, we can build on these foundations and shape a cohesion policy fit for the future. I will continue to engage closely with this House, with the Member States, with the regions, with the mayors, and with all authorities in the weeks and months ahead to listen, to learn, to create tailored solutions for every region. This has been and will always remain my approach. T.

    hank you once again for this valuable exchange and for your continued commitment to Europe’s regions and citizens. And thank you again, Mr Protas, for this report. I think that this is a very positive basis for our work for the next weeks or the next months. It is not simple, the debate for the future, but I think that it’s important to build one position between us. I think that there isn’t a different approach. Now we need to have only one voice, not to defend cohesion policy, but to relaunch and modernised cohesion policy. These are our challenges and I count on you about this future and for the next steps that together we will have for these important challenges.

    		  
       

    		 

      Jacek Protas, Sprawozdawca. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Szanowni Państwo! Drogie Koleżanki i Koledzy! Bardzo serdecznie dziękuję zarówno za tą dzisiejszą debatę i za ciepłe słowa skierowane również do mnie, ale bardzo też serdecznie dziękuję za prace nad tym ważnym dokumentem, który – tak jak powiedziałem – moim zdaniem będzie naszym mocnym stanowiskiem, mocnym stanowiskiem Parlamentu Europejskiego w dalszej debacie, tak jak powiedział pan komisarz, na temat modernizacji polityki spójności.

    Pozwólcie państwo, że podobnie jak pan komisarz, odniosę się do produktów podwójnego zastosowania, bo wydaje mi się, że nie wszyscy rozumieją, o co chodzi. Otóż, po pierwsze, rzeczywiście to nie jest obligatoryjne podejście. Tylko te regiony, te państwa, które czują taką potrzebę, żeby przesuwać środki na niektóre działania, mogą to uczynić. Komisja Europejska zarówno w czasie przeglądu śródokresowego, jak i – mam nadzieję – w przyszłości pozwoli na takie działania. I nie jest to przesuwanie środków na wspieranie zakupów zbrojeniowych, jak tutaj też słyszałem. W żadnym wypadku.

    Ja, szanowni państwo, mieszkam 30 kilometrów od granicy z Rosją, 30 kilometrów od granicy z agresorem, z wrogim państwem. I chciałbym, żeby w moim regionie można było budować nowe hale sportowe ze schronem pod tą halą, żeby można było modernizować wskazane szpitale, które w razie zagrożenia wojennego będą również pełniły rolę wsparcia dla wojska. Chciałbym móc wzmacniać mosty, modernizować drogi dojazdowe czy budować je w takich parametrach, żeby mogły również służyć celom obronnym. I to nie jest militaryzowanie polityki spójności, ale danie możliwości tym regionom, które czują taką potrzebę, realizowania tych celów.

    Szanowni państwo, panie komisarzu, bardzo serdecznie dziękuję za te dzisiejsze wystąpienia. Dziękuję za współpracę. Mam głębokie przekonanie, że ten dokument, który w czwartek przegłosujemy, również pomoże panu, bowiem znamy pana historię zawodową. Wiemy, że jest pan samorządowcem. Był pan szefem regionu, ministrem odpowiedzialnym również za politykę regionalną, więc wiemy, że rozumie pan potrzeby regionu, potrzeby społeczności lokalnych. Ale u nas w Polsce się mówi, że diabeł tkwi w szczegółach. Co do głównych założeń polityki spójności zgadzamy się również, że trzeba iść w kierunku modernizacji, ewolucji, nie rewolucji. Ale będziemy dyskutować na temat tego, jak to w praktyce ma wyglądać i jak Komisja Europejska to widzi. Mam nadzieję, że wspólnie osiągniemy sukces.

    		  
       

    		 

      Presidente. – La discussione è chiusa.

    La votazione si svolgerà giovedì.

    		  

    23. One-minute speeches on matters of political importance




    		 

      Rody Tolassy (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, voici le vrai visage du pacte vert quand il affecte les Outre-mer: un cataclysme économique déguisé en vertu écologique.

    Costa Croisières quitte la Guadeloupe, non pas parce que notre territoire est moins attractif ou compétent, mais parce que Bruxelles impose aux régions ultrapériphériques (RUP) une transition énergétique restrictive et destructrice. Résultat: 15 000 à 20 000 passagers en moins, des dockers au chômage, des transporteurs en détresse, un port affaibli, et ce n’est que le début. L’augmentation du prix des billets d’avion frappait déjà nos familles, maintenant ce sont nos entreprises ainsi que notre tourisme qui sont touchés. Ce n’est plus une alerte, c’est un signal d’alarme.

    Je vous pose donc une question simple: que compte faire la Commission pour compenser concrètement ces pertes? Mieux encore, arrêtez de faire les poches de nos compatriotes. Ainsi, je vous demande la suppression du dispositif d’échange de quotas d’émission dans les RUP sur la base de l’article 349 du traité FUE.

    		  
       

    		 

      Daniel Buda (PPE). – Doamnă președintă, stimați colegi, în România s-a încheiat primul tur al alegerilor prezidențiale. Mi-aș fi dorit ca domnul Crin Antonescu, un lider cu viziune, cu experiență, capabil să fie un pilon de stabilitate pe scena politică europeană, să fi ajuns în turul al doilea. Din păcate, la doar câteva zeci de mii de voturi distanță, alegătorii au ales alt drum, plasând România într-un moment de răscruce.

    Privind înainte, îmi doresc ca țara noastră să-și continue parcursul european și să rămână un punct de stabilitate într-o regiune marcată de războiul din Ucraina.

    Astăzi, mai mult ca oricând, Europa are nevoie de o Românie puternică, responsabilă, fidelă valorilor democratice, o Românie care să nu cadă pradă extremismului sau populismului.

    O Europă puternică este o Europă unită, unită în jurul valorilor care garantează pacea, libertatea, stabilitatea și prosperitatea.

    Tocmai de aceea, România trebuie să aleagă candidatul pro-european Nicușor Dan, rămas în cursă și să spună nu izolării și nu întoarcerii în trecut.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ciaran Mullooly (Renew). – Madam President, the housing crisis is crippling thousands of families and young couples all over Europe and especially in Ireland. I went to the town of Naas in County Kildare, a town which had 5 000 people in 1971, now a car-based town with 30 000 people in housing estates, and another 4 500 waiting for homes. A town that’s been forgotten. Planning is terrible. The demand is just incredible.

    I spoke to Angela Garrett. She has two children, one aged 32, who has autism, the other 28. They’re still living at home. She tells me the average price of a family home in this town is half a million euro – five hundred thousand euro! It is out of control. And what does our government do in Ireland? We put in charge a man who’s paid a salary of almost half a million euro in another job to come in to take over this job.

    We lack ideas. We lack strong thinking. We lack an ability to consider the people who are involved here, the people who are suffering because of the lack of a home. It is an absolute disgrace. We need, throughout Europe and in Ireland, to focus on real progress for families like these.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nicolae Ştefănuță (Verts/ALE). – Doamnă președintă, România are de ales. Între Europa și extrema dreaptă. Între viitor și frică.

    Nu mai e despre „îmi place de tine, tu mă placi pe mine”. Nu mai e nici măcar despre negocieri banale, despre funcții, ministere și mai știu eu ce.

    Este despre direcția în care merge România, despre ce alegem să fim: o țară europeană, liberă, demnă, sau o țară închisă, izolată, vulnerabilă, slabă.

    Fac un apel sincer și direct către toate partidele europene prezente în sală și cele de acasă: să ne unim în sprijinul pentru turul doi, pentru democrație. E momentul să fim împreună. Nu pentru un om, ci pentru un drum. Pentru drumul european al României.

    Tinerii din România nu vor să trăiască în ură, nu vor să aibă un președinte care ne izolează, care alimentează ura, care ne scoate din Europa.

    Pe 18 mai avem o singură opțiune cu toții: să ieșim la vot și să încurajăm unitatea europeană a României.

    		  
       

    		 

      Anthony Smith (The Left). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, les secteurs stratégiques de l’économie comme l’industrie de l’acier doivent devenir des secteurs publics sous contrôle des États. Oui, nous n’hésitons pas à le dire dans cet hémicycle, qui continue de faire du néolibéralisme moribond son étendard.

    Depuis des mois, les syndicats européens et français du secteur sonnent l’alarme sans réponse ni action de la Commission.

    En France, c’est la direction d’ArcelorMittal qui a annoncé, fin avril, la suppression de centaines de postes qui s’ajoute aux annonces précédentes, laissant des milliers de familles sur le carreau. C’est toute la filière de l’acier en France et en Europe qui est menacée, alors qu’elle a été gavée d’argent public sans contrepartie. Au lendemain de cette annonce, le commissaire européen français Séjourné a même osé exprimer son incompréhension face à la décision du géant de la sidérurgie; mais de qui se moque-t-on?

    La Macronie applique ici et au sein de la Commission le laissez-faire capitaliste pour permettre aux industriels d’accumuler toujours plus. Avec La France insoumise, nous le répétons sans faiblir: nationalisez ArcelorMittal!

    		  
       

    		 

      Tomasz Froelich (ESN). – Frau Präsidentin! Die Opposition bespitzeln, die Opposition kriminalisieren, die AfD verbieten? Das sind Zustände wie in einem autoritären Staat – das sind Zustände in Deutschland. Wer so was tut, rettet nicht die Demokratie. Wer so was tut, der schafft die Demokratie ab, weil er Angst vor ihr hat, weil er zu schwach für sie ist. Veranlasst hat all dies Nancy Faeser, scheidende Innenministerin, gesichert linksextrem, Autorin des Antifa‑Magazins.

    Das Gutachten gegen die AfD, auf das sie sich beruft, bleibt geheim. Es bleibt geheim, weil es harmlos ist. Der Presse wurde es dennoch gesteckt. Weil wir das deutsche Volk erhalten wollen, sollen wir rechtsextrem sein? Lächerlich! Marco Rubio hat völlig recht – das ist keine Demokratie, das ist verkappte Tyrannei. Und dann erdreistet sich diese Bundesregierung auch noch, dem Rest der Welt Demokratiedefizite vorzuwerfen. Einfach nur frech! Wer keine Argumente hat, muss auf Repression setzen, aber ich verspreche Ihnen: Wir halten das aus, denn unsere Überzeugungen sind stärker als diese Arroganz der Macht.

    		  
       



    		 

      Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, domnule comisar, am ales să vorbesc astăzi despre criza de locuințe pentru tineri. O locuință decentă este o condiție esențială pentru aspirațiile tinerilor și există studii făcute de Banca Mondială, există studii, are Comisia Europeană rezultatele acestor studii?

    Este clar că sunt mai ales state cum ar fi Grecia, Bulgaria, România, chiar și Germania, unde criza locuințelor a crescut. Există însă și soluții.

    Am vorbit mai devreme de politica de coeziune. Ține și acest lucru de politica de coeziune. Aceste rapoarte și analize dau și niște recomandări. De exemplu, să se acorde teren din spațiile publice neutilizate, tinerilor. Să aibă acces, așa cum am spus mai devreme, la finanțare, de exemplu la Banca Europeană de Investiții, simplificarea procedurilor prin care să se primească, dar și construcția de locuințe sociale.

    Cum facem să asigurăm aceste lucruri? Pentru că tot rapoartele arată că există o legătură între productivitate, competitivitate, dar chiar și legătură cu sănătatea mintală, nu mai spun de demografie.

    Deci trebuie să găsim soluții pentru ca tinerii să aibă acces la locuințe.

    		  
       

    		 

      Tiago Moreira de Sá (PfE). – Senhora Presidente, quando James Madison elaborou as primeiras 10 emendas à Constituição dos Estados Unidos, que ficaram conhecidas como «Bill of Rights», fê-lo para garantir que, mesmo numa república acabada de nascer de uma guerra, a liberdade era constitucionalmente protegida.

    O acordo «Pandemic», que deverá ser aprovado na próxima sessão da World Health Assembly, em Genebra, evoca intenções nobres, como proteger a saúde global. Está bem, mas deve ser encarado com cautelas e máxima vigilância. Há quatro áreas onde essa vigilância é absolutamente crítica — as liberdades individuais, a soberania nacional, a confidencialidade dos dados genéticos e a liberdade de expressão.

    A responsabilidade histórica que temos hoje é a mesma que Madison teve no seu tempo: assegurar que a prevenção de um mal nunca se faça à custa da liberdade, seja dos indivíduos, seja, neste caso também, dos Estados. Porque a liberdade não é o preço da segurança; é a sua condição moral.

    		  
       

    		 

      Cristian Terheş (ECR). – Doamnă președintă, dragi colegi, am atras atenția din toamna lui 2019 că programul utopic Green Deal, promovat de Ursula von der Leyen, va conduce la o criză energetică în Europa, cu efect dezastruos asupra populației și economiilor europene.

    Pe de o parte, aceste politici au condus deja la creșterea consumului de energie, pe de altă parte, în loc să diversifice sursele și să asigure independența energetică, UE a impus statelor să-și închidă surse de energie, cum sunt termocentralele pe cărbune, ceea ce a redus producția de energie.

    Efectul a fost că prețul energiei a crescut peste tot în UE, cu efect devastator, în special asupra pensionarilor și celor mai săraci europeni. Acest lucru a afectat și economia, făcând bunurile și serviciile europene mai scumpe și mai greu de vândut pe piața mondială.

    Această politică centralizată de tip comunist, care pornește de la premisa că cei de la Bruxelles știu mai bine decât guvernele statelor membre UE ce e mai bine pentru țările lor, și-a dovedit eșecul și trebuie să înceteze.

    Pentru a gestiona cu adevărat criza energetică, statele membre trebuie să-și definească propriul mix energetic. Viitorul nu poate fi dictat de dogme verzi impuse de birocrații de la Bruxelles, ci de soluții funcționale specifice fiecărei țări.

    		  
       

    		 

      Michael McNamara (Renew). – (start of speech off mic) … I suppose the instability and unprecedented level of conflict in the world is such that when two of the world’s greatest powers, two of the world’s most populous nations, both nuclear armed, are squaring up and threatening each other, it barely receives a word here in the European Union, or indeed from this Parliament. I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the families of those slaughtered so savagely in Kashmir recently. But I think it is also important for this Parliament to call for restraint and dialogue.

    The speech of Pakistan’s army chief, General Munir, to representatives of the diaspora a couple of days before the attack is viewed as inflammatory in India. However, there is no evidence of any link between Pakistan and the heinous attack and, in the absence of such evidence, any attack by India and Pakistan, which is itself a frequent victim of terrorist attacks, would be unjustified.

    However, one cannot help but reflect on the benefits of democratically elected leaders speaking on behalf of their country rather than military men. In that regard, one might recall that when the Great Leader Jinnah outlined his vision of Pakistan in 1947, he spoke of no distinction between one community and another.

    		  
       

    		 

      Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE). – Señora presidenta, con el genocidio en Gaza, la historia nos mira y nos va a juzgar.

    Albert Camus decía que no hay mejor combate –combate más fuerte– que el del ser humano que se enfrenta al mundo con las manos vacías, pero con la dignidad intacta. Israel ha atacado un buque de ayuda humanitaria: Flotilla por la Libertad. Se trata de un crimen de guerra gravísimo que nos recuerda esa distinción moral, la de quienes tienen las manos limpias porque ayudan a las víctimas, y las de los que las tienen manchadas de sangre porque ayudan a los verdugos y callan ante esos crímenes.

    Ningún líder europeo ha dicho nada. ¿Qué habría sucedido si hubiera sido Putin –y no Netanyahu– quien hubiera intentado hundir un barco europeo?

    El ministro español Albares ha condenado hoy el ataque al aeropuerto sin víctimas, pero no ha dicho nada del hundimiento del barco ni de los más de mil asesinados –cooperantes, médicos y enfermeras– que intentan salvar vidas. Esas muertes son una mancha indeleble en la conciencia de los líderes europeos que siguen cooperando con el genocidio en Gaza.

    Nuestra obligación como ciudadanos es movilizarnos como garantes del Derecho internacional y recordar que, cuando la barbarie se normaliza, la desobediencia es una obligación moral.

    		  
       


    		 

      Γεώργιος Αυτιάς (PPE). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, η άσκηση οικονομικής πολιτικής, πέραν της ανταγωνιστικότητας και της σταθερότητας —και το ξέρετε πολύ καλά αυτό, γιατί η πατρίδα μου πέρασε από τρία μνημόνια— πρέπει να έχει και έντονο κοινωνικό χαρακτήρα, δηλαδή στήριξη μισθών και συντάξεων, στήριξη φορολογικών ελαφρύνσεων, λύση δημογραφικού, στέγη. Το ξέρετε πολύ καλά, κύριε Επίτροπε, το θέμα, και εσείς, αξιότιμοι συνάδελφοι. Μείωση της ανεργίας και φθηνή ενέργεια.

    Προς αυτή την κατεύθυνση, η χώρα μου κινείται με ταχύτατο ρυθμό, αποπληρώνει δάνεια δεκαετίες μπροστά, έχει άριστες κριτικές από οίκους αξιολόγησης και, παράλληλα, πλεόνασμα. Αυτό το πλεόνασμα, λοιπόν, επιστρέφεται στην κοινωνία.

    Να ξέρετε, κύριε Επίτροπε, ότι αυτός ο βηματισμός θα συνεχιστεί και το επόμενο χρονικό διάστημα και προς αυτή την κατεύθυνση σας ενημερώνω συνεχώς.

    		  
       


    		 

      Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, enfin, après avoir mené l’industrie automobile au bord de la mort, la Commission européenne revient à la raison et nous propose d’offrir un court répit aux constructeurs automobiles, avec davantage de flexibilité dans l’application des objectifs d’émissions de CO2.

    Cela fait des années que nous alertons sur les conséquences désastreuses de l’écologie punitive imposée par les technocrates bruxellois. Sans cet assouplissement, nos constructeurs auraient dû payer jusqu’à 15 milliards d’euros d’amende dès cet automne.

    Ce revirement partiel est une première victoire, mais le combat continue. Il est essentiel de revenir sur la fin des moteurs thermiques neufs en 2035, une décision absurde et complètement hors sol qui menace nos emplois et le pouvoir d’achat des Européens.

    Avec notre groupe des Patriotes pour l’Europe, nous avons déposé des amendements de bon sens pour défendre notre industrie et une transition écologique réaliste. Ils seront, je l’espère, votés par tous les collègues qui déplorent comme nous cette désastreuse politique de sabotage industriel.

    Quoi qu’il en soit, nous ne lâcherons rien et nous ne laisserons pas Bruxelles sacrifier l’Europe qui travaille.

    		  
       




    		 

      Mélanie Disdier (PfE). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, dans mon département du Nord, ArcelorMittal, une industrie structurante du secteur métallurgique, est contrainte de licencier des salariés par centaines. À cause d’une concurrence déloyale et des prix de l’énergie exorbitants, ce sont plus de 600 salariés et, à travers eux, plus de 600 familles qui vont se retrouver en difficulté. Je peux déjà voir venir le programme d’aide de l’Union pour aider face aux désastres de la mondialisation et donc poser un nouveau pansement sur une jambe de bois, mais les Français en ont marre, les Européens en ont marre!

    Ce dont l’Europe a besoin, ce n’est pas de cacher la misère, mais de créer les conditions de son éradication. C’est en se donnant les moyens de produire des richesses que l’Europe pourra se redresser. Si vous vous contentez de nier les conséquences désastreuses de votre politique, vous n’arriverez à rien et l’Europe continuera de décliner. Si, à l’inverse, vous regardez la vérité en face et qu’enfin vous décidez de sortir de votre idéologie régressive et criante, peut-être que nous pourrons enfin lancer le chantier du redressement économique de l’Europe.

    		  
       

    		 

      Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, après l’annulation abusive du premier tour des élections présidentielles roumaines de décembre 2024, le premier tour a été de nouveau organisé hier.

    L’humiliation et la trahison du peuple roumain par l’annulation de son vote, simplement parce qu’il avait exprimé une préférence européenne, mais souverainiste, ont provoqué une vague de colère sociétale sans précédent contre le parti globaliste au pouvoir en Roumanie depuis 35 ans. Parce que le vote en faveur de Călin Georgescu a été annulé et qu’il lui a été interdit de se présenter à nouveau, les Roumains ont voté massivement pour George Simion.

    Le message des Roumains est extrêmement clair: ils exigent d’être respectés tant par les dirigeants de Bruxelles que par leurs représentants nationaux et rejettent de nombreuses décisions absurdes, contraires à leurs intérêts, à leurs traditions, à leur foi et à leur identité, imposées de manière autoritaire. Les Roumains ont commencé à prendre leur pays en main.

    Nous sommes un peuple européen avec des aspirations dignes de la grande famille européenne, et en même temps un peuple conservateur, fier.

    		  
       

    		 

      Δημήτρης Τσιόδρας (PPE). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, τα νέα γεωπολιτικά δεδομένα ωθούν την Ευρώπη από καταναλωτής ασφάλειας να πάρει τις τύχες στα χέρια της και να οικοδομήσει κοινή άμυνα. Κοινή άμυνα, όμως, δεν σημαίνει μόνο κοινή παραγωγή αμυντικών συστημάτων. Σημαίνει κοινή πολιτική άμυνας. Και, σε αυτή την πολιτική, προφανώς χωρούν και τρίτες χώρες. Όμως, χώρες οι οποίες μοιράζονται κοινές αρχές και κοινές αξίες. Όχι χώρες, όπως η Τουρκία, που κατέχουν παράνομα ευρωπαϊκό έδαφος στην Κύπρο, απειλούν χώρες μέλη και έχουν βρεθεί απέναντι στην Ευρώπη σε μια σειρά από περιοχές, όπως στη Μέση Ανατολή, στη Λιβύη και στον Καύκασο.

    Η διάθεση εθνικών κονδυλίων για άμυνα αποτελεί, προφανώς, απόφαση κάθε χώρας, όμως δεν μπορεί να μη λαμβάνονται υπόψη οι ευρωπαϊκές αρχές. Διαφορετικά, δεν θα διαμορφώσουμε κοινή πολιτική, που είναι ακριβώς αυτό που χρειαζόμαστε. Οι Ευρωπαίοι πολίτες θα αισθάνονται ασφαλείς όταν νιώθουν ότι τα σύνορα της χώρας τους είναι ευρωπαϊκά σύνορα και ότι η απειλή εναντίον ενός είναι απειλή εναντίον όλων.

    		  
       

    		 

      Ştefan Muşoiu (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, dragi colegi, am fost invitat recent să le explic unor elevi de clasa a doua ai unei școli din Slobozia, orașul din România din care provin și eu, despre arhitectura Uniunii Europene și despre rolul său decizional reflectat în viața cetățenilor ei, indiferent de vârsta, sexul, statutul sau preocupările lor.

    Bucuria mi-a fost răsplătită de interesul viu al școlarilor și de numeroasele cunoștințe pe care le au despre Uniunea Europeană. La rândul lor, copiii mi-au cerut să dau citire aici, în plen, scrisorii pe care mi-au adresat-o, astfel încât dezvoltarea Uniunii Europene și un viitor mai bun și mai sigur să se edifice și pe interesele lor.

    Vă citez: „Vă rugăm să aveți grijă de planeta noastră. Vrem o Europă cu aer și ape curate, cu păduri verzi și cu animale protejate. Ne dorim să trăim în pace, să mergem în siguranță la școală și să ne facem prieteni în toate colțurile continentului. Vrem ca toți copiii europeni să aibă acces la educație, sănătate, să nu sufere de foame sau să fie speriați de război. Vă rugăm să ne ascultați rugămințile, pentru că noi suntem viitorul Europei. Dacă ne ajutați să creștem într-o lume mai bună, promitem că vom avea grijă de ea și de ceilalți când vom fi și noi mari. Vă mulțumim!” Am încheiat citatul.

    Întrebarea mea este: le lăsăm o lume mai bună?

    		  
       


    		 

      Presidente. – La discussione è chiusa.

    La prossima seduta si svolgerà domani 6 maggio 2025 ore 9:00.

    		  

    24. Agenda of the next sitting

    		 

      Presidente. – L’ordine del giorno è stato pubblicato ed è disponibile sul sito internet del Parlamento europeo.

    		  

    25. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

    		 

      Presidente. – Il processo verbale della seduta sarà sottoposto all’approvazione del Parlamento domani.

    La seduta è tolta.

    		  

    26. Closure of the sitting

       

    (La seduta è tolta alle 22.05)

    		  

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: Trump’s lies are going to cost people their jobs and their livelihoods

    Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – May 06, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu were joined by Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair Debbie Dingell and Co-Chair Lori Trahan for a press conference on Republicans running scared because their plan to cut Medicaid and reward their billionaire donors with massive tax giveaways is politically toxic. 

    CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. So grateful to be joined today by DPCC Chair Debbie Dingell and Co-Chair Lori Trahan, and of course, Vice Chair Ted Lieu. Both of those members are on the Energy and Commerce Committee. As we all know, House Republicans are running scared this week because they plan to take away health care for millions of Americans while rewarding billionaires with tax giveaways, and these Members will speak specifically to that.

    The most endangered Members on the other side of the aisle have already voted to cut Medicaid by $880 billion and Speaker Johnson is scrambling now to give them cover. And his most extreme Members—by the way, those are the ones that he owes having the gavel to—are going to revolt if Medicaid cuts aren’t as harmful to working families as possible. All of this is taking place against the backdrop of an economy that is in a free fall. We’re heading toward a recession, a supply chain crisis that will result in more price hikes and all of this is because of Donald Trump’s policies. He lied to the American people when he said he’d lower costs on day one. And he lied to them over the weekend when he said that he won’t cut Medicaid. Trump’s lies are going to cost people their jobs, their livelihoods, potentially their homes—and he could care less, because his billionaire friends and family get richer.

    House Republicans should use this time, this free week that they have, to vote on policy that matters for everyday Americans. But instead, they should be talking about turning off tariffs that are reckless and dangerous. But instead, we’re talking about Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico—a slap in the face to hardworking Americans who want their leaders to bring down the cost of living. The costs that they face each and every day in childcare, in healthcare, in gas, groceries, rent. Those are things that the American public cares about, and those are the things that House Republicans are ignoring each and every day.

    With that, I’ll turn it over to Vice Chair Ted Lieu.

    VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chairman Aguilar. Honored to be here with DPCC Chair Dingell and Co-Chair Trahan. You may have seen recent reports showing that 19 billion passwords were hacked and put online. So my public service announcement for today is: change your password. Unless you’re Pete Hegseth, because you have no concept of operational security. Pete Hegseth texted advanced information on combat operations to random people more than once on a Signal application. And we know from recent reporting that the Signal app that the Trump Administration was using was a modified version done by TeleMessage. We know that at least Mike Waltz was using that. Maybe that’s one reason he was fired by Donald Trump. I urge reporters to ask Pete Hegseth if he also was using the modified Signal application that was hacked.

    Now, I’d like to talk about Medicaid. So we know that Republicans voted already through the Budget Resolution to cut $880 billion of Medicaid. Now, they’re talking about imposing red tape requirements. I want you to understand what that means. That means every Medicaid recipient would have to fill out immense amounts of paperwork. They tried to do this in Alabama and Georgia and ended up achieving no cost savings. And Medicaid is so important to America, two-thirds of patients in nursing homes are funded through Medicaid. In addition, people get lifesaving health care through Medicaid. And what happens if people don’t get healthier through Medicaid? Well, guess what, they’re still going to get healthier by walking into the emergency room and getting treated that way, which is even more expensive. If you make cuts to Medicaid, it’s going to close down hospitals, including rural hospitals, so we urge Republicans to vote no on the dramatic Medicaid cuts. And now it’s my great honor to introduce DPCC Chair Debbie Dingell, we came in the freshman class together. She’s done a fantastic job as Chair of the DPCC, and I look forward to her remarks.

    DPCC CHAIR DINGELL: Thank you, Ted, and Pete was in our class too. It was a great class. I want to thank Pete and Ted for bringing us together this morning. And as Pete said at the beginning, in addition to my role as DPCC chair, I’m also a member of the Energy and Commerce committee, which is ground zero for the Medicaid cuts that you’re seeing the Republicans talk about. I want to be really clear with you, I’ve spent a lot of time at home and in a lot of town hall meetings and a lot of rallies and in grocery stores and in Union Halls. Donald Trump’s economic policies are making life harder for everyday Americans. Costs are increasing, and every family is feeling the squeeze. And House Republicans are making things worse. Their budget cuts Medicaid by nearly $900 billion. It’s the largest Medicaid cut in history. The impact would be devastating in every corner of this country. And I know, believe me, that Democrats and Republicans are hearing about these cuts from constituents who are terrified about what it means for them. People like Katie, in my district, whose son, Nathan, is six years old. Nathan was born premature and has required more than 15 procedures on his airway to help him breathe. As she told me, some of those procedures have cost $20,000 or more, and without Medicaid, there’s no way that Katie and her family would be able to meet Nathan’s complex medical needs. When I was at Michigan. Just before he visited a doctor, a woman started crying in the elevator with her child in a wheelchair, and said, “What will I do if I can’t bring my child here? If they cut me?” 75 percent of the children at Children’s Hospital in Detroit are on Medicaid, and seniors. And a senior said to me, “Are they going to kick my husband out on the street from a nursing home?” That’s the stories that people are telling us. 

    Medicaid is a lifeline. It keeps children healthy, it helps parents work, and it cares for seniors in nursing homes. The American people cannot afford Medicaid cuts, especially as the economy is being crashed around them by President Trump. House Democrats are fighting to stop this Republican budget and save Medicaid. We have been active across the country, with hundreds of local events raising the human stories, having people understand these aren’t numbers, it’s human lives. And more importantly, we’re raising more stories in every community, so people know who it’s going to be impacting. And that’s what we’re going to continue to do until this Republican budget is defeated. So with that, I’m going to yield to my DPCC Co-Chair, and fellow Energy and Commerce Committee member, Lori Trahan. 

    DPCC CO-CHAIR TRAHAN: Thank you, Chair Dingell, and thank you to Chair Aguilar and Vice Chair Lieu for hosting us this morning. Republicans in Congress are locked in a debate this week about everything that you need to know of their priorities. They’re trying to decide how to pay for massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors, and they’ve narrowed it down to two options: Kick millions of Americans off of their health care by slashing Medicaid or take food off the table for working families by gutting nutritional assistance.

    And let’s be honest, Donald Trump doesn’t care which one they choose, as long as they send what he calls a big, beautiful bill to the White House. But there’s nothing beautiful about ripping health care away from millions of Americans. Medicaid is a lifeline. It’s prenatal care for moms. It’s nursing home care for seniors. It’s the support for kids with disabilities that they need to thrive in school. Republicans aren’t doing this to fix the economy or to reduce the deficit or to get rid of fraud, waste and abuse. They’re doing it so Elon Musk can buy another private jet. Meanwhile, families are already making impossible choices every day. Do I pay for medicine or do I buy groceries? Do I take my child to the doctor or do I pay my utility bills? And now Republicans want to make those choices even harder.

    House Democrats have a message for our colleagues across the aisle: If you’re going to gut Medicaid so your billionaire buddies can get a tax cut that’s bigger than what most teachers make in their lifetimes, we’re going to make it as painful as possible. We’re going to fight back and we’re going to go to your districts and explain what you’re doing, and we’re going to help your constituents vote you out next November. That’s our focus. That’s our fight, and that’s our promise. Thank you.

    Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –