BRUSSELS - On the Middle East, President Metsola said, "What we are seeing between Israel and Iran and its potential impact on other countries is a litmus test for all of us. The recent ceasefire agreement is a hopeful step forward." She also stressed that, "Iran cannot get a nuclear bomb. This is a threat not only to the region but to the whole world." On Gaza, she said that work on the ceasefire must continue, and called for "the immediate release of all hostages, an end to terror, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it. Peace may be difficult, but it is not impossible."
On Ukraine, she stressed that EU support must remain strong, including for Ukraine's future membership: 'Ukraine and Moldova have already met the conditions for the launch of the first set of negotiations - the so-called 'core issues' cluster. The ball is now in our court. We need to keep the momentum going." On defence, the President mentioned NATO's agreement to increase defence spending targets to 5 % and stressed that the European Parliament is doing its part by acting swiftly on the joint procurement law and the law to support munitions production. "The same sense of urgency will continue to guide us as we seek to complete the recent Omnibus defence package by the end of the year. Our processes are reformed and fast-tracked," she said.
On simplification, she stressed that Europe must deliver results, and here too the European Parliament is moving quickly by adopting a 'stop the clock' mechanism and suspending sanctions on the car industry. "Processes that used to take 9 months can now take only a few hours." But she also warned that "if Europe is to be faster, smarter and more SME-friendly, we need to go beyond cosmetic changes."
On the issue of maternity rights, the President informed EU leaders that the European Parliament will present a targeted, narrow and surgical amendment to the EU Elections Act to allow pregnant or recently delivered MEPs to delegate their vote. She called on EU leaders to support this announcement: 'No democracy should ever punish elected representatives for choosing to start a family. Representation should never be at the expense of parenthood."
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