8th parliamentary term Jude KIRTON-DARLING

. – This report is a very welcome step in improving the openness and accountability of both the Council and the entire EU project. I urge my friends and colleagues from across the EU institutions to learn the lessons of Brexit. To understand the very real anger and frustration that exists across this continent towards this house, and the disconnect people feel between what happens here and their day-to-day lives. We do not solve this problem by hiding behind our procedures, our technical jargon and our ‘it has always been done this way’ mentality. We do not solve this problem with more secrecy, deflection and fear of scrutiny. I have read this script, I have seen this play, and I can promise you the ending is not a happy one. If you care about this Union, if you believe in the work we are doing here, as I do, make it as open and accountable as humanly possible. Go out of your way to bring the citizens of Europe inside these walls and let them see the sausage machine in action. It might not always be pretty, but I can promise you it is better than the alternatives.

. ‒ The status of Western Sahara has yet to be resolved by the United Nations, and no EU-Morocco trade deal should prejudge the future of this disputed territory. The Court of Justice asked the EU to ensure that, should the deal cover Western Sahara, the Western Sahrawi should consent to it. This has not been done – neither in the initial deal nor in the revised deal presented to us today.
This is just bad governance from the Commission, and I see no reason why Parliament should welcome it. For that reason, I do not support this deal as it stands, and I voted to refer it to the Court.

Over the last five years, the situation in Colombia has improved but the peace process remains extremely fragile.
The new government’s intentions are unclear. The killing of trade unionists, community organisers, human rights defenders and indigenous leaders continue - all too often with complete impunity.
The EU’s best tool to protect those at risk and support the peace process is the trade deal, together with the human rights roadmap.
In calling for a revision of the former - to include deterring sanctions - and the full implementation of the latter, so that violence can be completely eradicated, the European Parliament is sending a strong message to both Colombia and the European Commission.
Far more can and must be done - and we are willing to put as much pressure as necessary to achieve justice for Colombia.