MEPs hold a hearing with Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, to evaluate his suitability for his new role in the European Commission related to climate policy. Šefčovič would assume responsibility for the European Green Deal, in addition to his current duties related to interinstitutional relations and foresight in Committees on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), and on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI). Opening and introduction by Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR) - Chair of ENVI. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Committee on Transport and Tourism

ŠEFČOVIČ, Maroš (SK, EC)

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

hearing of Commissioners

CANFIN, Pascal (Renew, FR)

hearing of  Maros ŠEFČOVIČ 2023 (T)

Hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight: opening and introduction by Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR) - Chair of ENVI

SOUNDBITE (English), Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), Chair of ENVI, First, I would like to welcome Maros Sefcovic, executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. That's the formal title. As you know, ENVI is the lead committee for this hearing, but we have also ITRE, TRAN and AGRI committees associated. And I would like to welcome Mr. Busoi, Chair of ITRE, Mr Lins, Chair of AGRI and hopefully later Karima Delli, Chair of TRAN.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), Chair of ENVI, So I have as well, like yesterday, to recall certain formal elements. So we are, of course, having this hearing in line with the guidelines for the approval of the Commission. And this time, we are going to evaluate the Executive Vice President on his knowledge of this portfolio and on his communication skills. It's less broad than what we had to evaluate yesterday because you are already a member of the Commission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), Chair of ENVI, So, before the hearing, the executive vice president replied in writing to a preparatory questionnaire. The writings have been distributed to you in all languages. So again, as we did yesterday, the structure of the debate will be the following: the Executive Vice President will make an opening oral statement of no longer than 15 minutes, then 5 minutes for the your concluding remarks. And in between 25 questions from you, 5 minutes slot. And please be disciplined like yesterday. 1.15 seconds, one minute, 15 seconds for the first question. 2 minutes for your answer. Mr. Sefcovic, if you want a follow up question, 45 seconds for the question. One minute for the reply.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), Chair of ENVI, As you know, there are 25 questions, seven questions for the first round, 18 questions for the second round. And you can use your own language as it is translated in 23 languages and it is, of course live streamed. So we can now formally start the second hearing of the week. And as you know, the assessment after the hearing will take place this afternoon from 2 p.m. with the coordinators and with associated committee chairs. Mr. Sefcovic, the floor is yours for 15 minute.