Nicosia: Europe cannot face a new era with an old framework, what we need now is a budget that is fit for purpose, ready to deliver where, and when it matters most, said on Friday the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, in her speech at the Informal Meeting of Heads of State and Government in Nicosia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, speaking to EU leaders, Parliament President Metsola focused on three topics, the situation in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices, the 'One Europe One Market' Roadmap and the Multiannual Financial Framework, while she also welcomed the adoption of the 20th sanctions package against Russia and the release of the pound 90 billion loan for Ukraine.
As stated, on the situation in the Middle East and energy prices, President Metsola called for a swift and lasting end to the war that secures rights, dignity and liberty for the Iranian people and addresses concerns over Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile and puts an end to the obstructions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Underlining the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and continuing investments in Europe's energy resilience, she said that the EU's gas-storage rules have already helped stabilise markets and improve cooperation between Member States, while efforts to diversify Europe's energy mix and reduce dependence are making the Union more resilient, independent and less exposed to shocks: 'While we act for today, we cannot abandon what is working for tomorrow. We shouldn't fix what isn't broken. Our long-term strategy is working. We need to stay on the course,' she noted.
It is added that referring to the 'One Europe, One Market' Roadmap, President Metsola welcomed the agreement reached between the three institutions, noting that the Roadmap is ambitious, strengthens Europe's capacity to withstand shocks, and delivers on the Joint Declaration agreed by leaders.
She also stressed that the focus must now shift from commitments to implementation, while ensuring respect for the legislative process and democratic oversight. 'We are now at the point where commitments need to turn into delivery. On the priority files in the roadmap, the European Parliament will do its job. And we will do it well,' she said. She added that Europe's citizens 'judge Europe on one thing - whether it delivers.'.
Finally, on the Multiannual Financial Framework, President Metsola underlined that the European Parliament is moving swiftly: 'Next week, plenary will vote. That will allow us to enter negotiations with the Council, once they adopt their mandate. So next week, we will have our position, we will know what we want, and we will be ready.'
The EP President also called for a long-term EU budget that is fit for purpose and capable of responding to today's geopolitical and economic realities, and reiterated Parliament's support for a stronger focus on competitiveness and defence, while calling for openness to new Own Resources and warning against burdening future generations with old debt.
'Europe cannot face a new era with an old framework. We cannot keep responding to a changing world with outdated tools. What we need now is a budget that is fit for purpose - ready to deliver where, and when, it matters most', she underlined.