The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, chaired by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets in Brussels. Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President is invited to prepare the State of the European Union debate. The COP consists of the President of the European Parliament and the political group chairs. Every September, the President of the European Commission comes to the European Parliament to discuss with MEPs what the Commission has done over the past year, what it intends to do in the coming year and its vision for the future in the State of the European Union debate. Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), Co-Chair of ECR give a statement on his group's political priorities ahead of the Conference of Presidents (CoP), in preparation of the State of the European Union debate. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

statement

LEGUTKO, Ryszard Antoni (ECR, PL)

PROCACCINI, Nicola (ECR, IT)

president's agenda

Delivery EE2024 (T)

state of the European Union 2023 (T)

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents with the participation of Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President - Preparation of the State of the European Union debate: statement by Nicola Procaccini (ECR, IT), Co-Chair of ECR

SOUNDBITE (English), Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), Co-Chair, We think that human trafficking has become the most profitable and dangerous criminal activity in the world, and we must block it. The European Union should focus its efforts on countering this criminal activity. Beyond that, Europe certainly needs to come up with a coherent and effective proposal also on return and readmission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), Co-Chair, The second point, the Green Deal. As you know, the Green Deal has been a very divisive topic even within the European Parliament. While sharing the 2050 objective, we insist on the concept of technol technological neutrality. That means allowing member states to self-determine their own transition, especially in terms of energy use, avoiding dogmatic, anti economic and anti-social approach, such as the one sometimes included in the Green Deal to implement implementation measures. In this sense, the proposal on the packaging regulation currently under discussion is particularly critical because it demonstrates the inconsistency of the European Commission's approach to the concept of the circular economy following Timmermans departure and potential appointment of Mr. Hoekstra as the new Dutch Commissioner.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), Co-Chair, The ECR does not share the criticism that some colleagues have expressed. Just because the Hoekstra is not on the same political family of Timmermans, I can already hear that some colleagues from The Left, from the Greens are raising the barricades when the hearing has not been hold yet. We should be judging facts, not ideological preconception.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), Co-Chair, The ECR supports the proposal presented by the European Commission on the Reform for Stability and Growth. Although we believe that there are still several aspects to be improved. I refer to the progressive reduction of debt that is an essential condition for stability. However, we must also strengthen growth as this is the only way to reduce the deficit with a GDP ratio.