On simplification:
Making things easier is what the European Parliament is all about. We are committed to make life better, fairer and easier for the industry, for families, for farmers. At a time when too often the world feels like it is on fire, we want to make sure Europe remains the best and safest place to be. A few weeks ago, Parliament and the Commission signed a new Framework Agreement, committing to our simplification agenda. Parliament will vote on the revisions of the CSRD – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive – and the CSDDD – Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive in October, just as we will on the Omnibus II Investment Simplification Package [InvestEU], the revision of the Visa Suspension Mechanism and our position on the Common Agriculture Policy Simplification Omnibus. This will mean more jobs, more stability and ultimately, more security. Things are moving, but we need to keep pulling the same rope. Let’s work together.
On defence:
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. What we need is to pool our resources, our funding, and our know-how. And the European Parliament gets that. We are now ready to reach an agreement on EDIP – the European Defence Industry Programme – at the next trilogue on 7 October, which we hope will be the last one.
On Ukraine and drones:
I was in Kyiv to reaffirm the European Parliament’s steadfast support for the Verkhovna Rada and the Ukrainian people. You could see how drones have really become a primary weapon of war. President Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine is ready – they have field experience and the industrial capacities to produce even more. What they lack however, is financing. What was once covert is now overt – and here, we can really count on Ukraine’s expertise.
On phasing-out Russian gas and energy:
The European Parliament has taken a clear stance: ending the purchase of Russian gas and energy strikes at the very core of Russia’s war machine – and we stand by that. Naturally, phasing out our dependencies must be accompanied by a clear plan.
On Middle East:
The plan to end the Gaza conflict put forward by the President of the United States, and endorsed by Gulf and Arab States, is an important breakthrough. It offers a real framework towards peace, stability and reconstruction in Gaza.
If Hamas accepts this peace plan, it will mean that the guns fall silent; that the suffering would end. Hostages could come home. More aid could reach those who desperately need it. It would guard against mass displacement, and it would make sure Hamas has no role in Gaza’s future governance.
The plan can bring security for Israel, and it can give Palestinians a real perspective for their legitimate aspirations towards self-determination and Statehood. It keeps the possibility of a two-state solution alive. And it provides hope – real hope – to an entire region that has seen too little of it.
On Migration:
When it comes to establishing an EU list of Safe Countries of Origin and revising the Safe Third Country Concept, we hope to conclude them by the end of the year. The new Returns Regulation, by early next year. Things are moving.
President Metsola’s full speech is available here.
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