8e zittingsperiode Ilhan KYUCHYUK

. ‒ Morocco is not only an important trading partner of the EU but also, above all, a valuable and reliable partner in terms of politics, migration control and fighting terrorism. In this context, I believe that the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement will bring benefits for both parties (Morocco and the EU), and for the local population on a political and an economic level.
I warmly congratulate the Commission and the European External Action Service for their efforts to organise and lead consultations with a wide variety of Western Saharan local representatives, civil society and other organisations and bodies. Their broad support for the amendments can be regarded as a guarantee of respect for international law, human rights, minority rights and sustainable development, and as a guarantee vis-à-via the ongoing peace process under the UN umbrella. Therefore, I fully support the amendment of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.

Undoubtedly, in time of digital revolution, robotisation and continually reshaping of the labour market there is a real need public investment to be focus on education and cultural development and more support for creation and innovation.
In this context, I fully support the establishment of the EUinvest programme. I do believe it will make EU funding for investment projects in Europe more efficient and more flexible by mobilising public and private investment. Addressing market failures and investment gaps that hamper growth and helping to reach EU policy goals such as sustainability, scientific excellence and social inclusion.
More efficient and more flexible EU funding will bring not only benefits for EU citizens and Member States but also will increase the support for the European project and will win people’s confidence back with regards to EU institutions and their policies.

. ‒ The EU is one of the world’s strongest political protagonists, able to promote its values of peace, democracy, the rule of law and human rights. It is essential for EU Member States to understand that they cannot respond effectively to today’s global challenges on their own, but that they can pursue their national interest and have greater leverage in the international arena if they have unified positions with other EU Member States.
Therefore, the EU has to find a way to enhance the cooperation between Member States in order to make the Union’s external policies consistent. Good cooperation among Member States and EU institutions is essential to safeguard our democracy and our common values. In this context, EU soft power and institution building alone cannot be sufficient to exert the Union’s influence in today’s world, where autocratic leaders and hard power are increasingly significant. To be credible and effective, the EU common foreign and security policy (CFSP) needs to be based on joint military capabilities and the willingness of Member States to work together and make compromises.
Therefore, I warmly welcome the establishment of permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) and the EU leaders’ ambitions to increase the Union’s military autonomy and capabilities and thus to improve the CFSP’s effectiveness.