MEPs debate and vote on the reforms proposed by the Special Committee on Foreign Interference (ING2) calling for more effective monitoring and surveillance systems to detect foreign interference in Parliament’s activity as well as for more transparency, integrity and accountability. The report warns that attempts to interfere with democracy are a “widespread phenomenon that must be countered as vigorously as possible” and calls for President Metsola’s 14-point proposal to reform Parliament’s rules to be put into concrete action as soon as possible as it constitutes an important first step in the internal reform process. Extracts from the debate (12/07), the vote and statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR) co-rapporteurs.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

vote

fight against organised crime, corruption and money laundering (T)

BILČÍK, Vladimír (EPP, SK)

LOISEAU, Nathalie (Renew, FR)

Delivery EE2024 (T)

Recommendations for reform of the EP’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption: extracts from the debate (12/07) and the vote, statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), co-rapporteur

Title: Recommendations for reform of the EP&#8217;s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption: extracts from the debate (12/07), the vote and statements by Vladim&#237;r BIL&#268;&#205;K (EPP, SK) and Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), co-rapporteurs (EbS) 

SOUNDBITE (English), Věra JOUROV&Aacute;, Vice-President of the European Commission, There is a need to step up EU action to shine a light on foreign interference as part of the arsenal to defend democracy. This is why the Commission is continuing its work on the defence of Democracy package, with the aim of tackling foreign interference while building resilience from within. It is important that we find the right balance for this tool. Also in the light of intensifying geopolitical tensions. That is why, as announced in June in this House, work on a closer assessment of the impact of the package is under way. Another step we undertook to make our institutions more transparent and resilient towards undue influence is the proposal for the Interinstitutional Agreement on an ethics body. While keeping fully conscious of the autonomous role of each institution under the treaties, this body would develop common ethical standards for all institutions to implement in their internal ethics rules for their members.

SOUNDBITE (English), Věra JOUROV&Aacute;, Vice-President of the European Commission, I would like to turn shortly to the fight against corruption. The Commission takes it very seriously. On last week, the Commission adopted the annual Rule of Law Report with corruption, again one of the four pillars of the exercise. In May, we presented a legislative proposal to update the criminal law approach to corruption in member states. Also, of course, it refers to EU institutions. Currently, the definitions and penalties related to corruption differ too much among. This makes cross-border investigations more difficult and creates loopholes.

Final result: 441 votes in favour, 70 against, 71 abstentions

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladim&iacute;r BILČ&Iacute;K (EPP, SK), Co-Rapporteur, What we are proposing are beefing up security culture in this House. We want to have a systematic approach to awareness across this House among members, but also people working in this House. Of the kinds of threats we are exposed to, the kinds of ways that undue interference may interfere with our work and to protect ourselves. We need to be very vigilant when we hire people. We need to be very vigilant when we buy technology from third countries, because the costs in terms of security can be enormous. We have to be very careful when it comes to executing our role as members of this House abroad, particularly when it comes to parliamentary diplomacy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladim&iacute;r BILČ&Iacute;K (EPP, SK), Co-Rapporteur, These issues have to be tackled in a systematic way. So we need to find a permanent institutional solution. I am convinced to how we tackle undue influences and foreign interference in our democracy beyond the lifespan of this committee. Now the committee ends, but our work cannot end. This is also the main message.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Co-Rapporteur, It's an important report because it comes after the scandal of the so-called catalogue gate. And we know as members of the European Parliament that we have to regain the confidence of our voters. They want to see transparency, integrity. They want to have excellent clarity in the European Parliament. So we start with the 14 points presented by President Metsola. It's a good starting point, but it's not enough. We also look at what the Commission has put forward for an ethics body and it's really not sufficient. And we decided with my co-rapporteur from the EPP, let's build it to move forward and to provide more transparency for our voters, but also more protection for the work of the members of the European Parliament. We need more transparency and more security at the same time because they are foreign interferences trying to have an influence on our decision.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Co-Rapporteur, We know that in this building many foreign representatives have free access. We should try to control more who comes and who goes where. We have to be transparent. For instance, when I have a report, I will list who I met. I can explain why I'm meeting this and that person, but it should not be hidden. We also have to protect our missions when we go abroad with official delegations or with election missions observation. We have to make sure that we represents the position of the European Parliament. If we have personal positions which are different, of course it's allowed, but let's make it clear it's a personal position, not a position of the European Parliament. We want to be much stricter and have more sanctions. If they are trips paid by foreign countries and not declared or if they are fake electoral observation missions, this has to be sanctioned by the European Parliament because this is not what the Parliament as a body has decided.