Freedom of the media is becoming threatened in democratic societies

On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, Irena Joveva participated at the Regional Journalists’ Days, where she opened a panel discussion titled “Disinformation, Social Networks and Journalism: Understanding and Fighting Fake News”. The panel discussion aimed at independent media platforms, investigative journalists and experts from the Western Balkans and Turkey. The discussion focused on fact-checking and information exchange during the global crisis.

She initially paid tribute to the journalists for their work, which contributes to democracy in the Balkans. Furthermore, she highlighted the impact of the current health crisis on the media world, as the covid-19 pandemic also caused a formation of new term ‘infodemia’.

 “Fake news, conspiracy theories and disinformation are nothing new, but nowadays, social media helps them reach masses. The legislation is not able to follow the fast-developing events on the internet, causing its adoption of regulations and laws to be slower than the development of technologies.”

She also highlighted the issue of fake news: “When you identify misinformation and try to correct it, the correction never reaches as many people as the original. Fake news is 70% more likely to be shared and taken into account than real news.” The MP notes that media freedom is being threatened in democracies as a result of the media ownership is slowly transforming into the property of political parties. The situation in the Balkans is particularly worrying. In contrast to the past, when there were few credible sources of information, today we are faced with a flood of publications of entirely fake news, but people, unfortunately, do not have enough time to fact-check them. Joveva sees the solution in educating people about social media, reading and understanding of the news and online content, and by the transparency of ownership of the media.

The European Parliament and the European Union as such, are working hard to combat the burning issue of misinformation and false news, by taking several steps in this direction. For example, a Committee on Disinformation and an informal Working Group of MEPs for the media have been set up in the European Parliament to address such issues. Additionally, in 2018, the European Commission strengthened and formulated the Action Plan against Disinformation, and is working hard to draft the Digital Services Act and the Action Plan for Democracy.

She concluded her speech with the thoughts: “Everyone; civil society, journalists and legislators, must work together to strengthen the media and independent journalism. We can all learn a lot from panels like this, where we exchange different ideas and views.”

You can watch the panel discussion HERE.

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Recognition of the importance of libraries in politics is too low

As part of the interactive event “Generation Code: Born in the Library”, Irena Joveva spoke with Maja Vunšek from the Kranj City Library, who recently joined the EU initiative Public Libraries 2030. The library was included in the group of innovative public libraries in Europe “Lighthouse Libraries”. Project “Public Libraries 2030” brings together public library advocates among MEPs, called MEP Library Lovers. Irena Joveva answered questions on topics at European Union level; on the work during the pandemic, the priorities of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility her work a member of the Committee on Culture and the importance of public libraries. 

As Joveva explained in the introduction, the pandemic had utterly destroyed the established work patterns in the European Parliament. However, once the online meeting platform was properly set up, teleworking became almost uninterrupted, allowing us to work in our full potential. She is in regular contact with her colleagues, although she has not travelled to Brussels since the beginning of the pandemic. But being in Brussels does not necessarily mean being in the meeting room. “Most participants also use teleworking techniques in Brussels. At this point, it seems we have created new normal working conditions that could be used in the future when the corona crisis passes,” she added.

She agrees that the “Next Generation EU” recovery package will play a vital role in the EU’s recovery. Its primary purpose is to support the Member States in recovering from the crisis and boosting the economy, as well as to help private investments and ensure greater stability in the future, should such an event as this pandemic reoccur. Managing the economic and health crisis, together with digital development and tackling climate change, will be a priority, helping Europe to achieve its important goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral continent. She added: “I am pleased that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, supports the European Parliament’s position on the rule of law mechanism for funds allocated to each Member State as a safeguard against exploitation and misuse.” In the current proposal, she regrets the low involvement of culture and the lack of plans for housing policy and youth employment. Unfortunately, the draft proposal for a multiannual financial framework also reduces funding for important youth and cultural programs, such as Erasmus Plus, which is why Joveva, together with like-minded MEPs, is strongly committed to trying to ensure much-needed funding.

She is a very active member of the Committee on Culture and Education:

 “My main priorities in the committee are youth, education, culture, media freedom and digitalisation related to the development of artificial intelligence and sport. I am currently working on a European Solidarity Corps dossier. It is a European Union initiative that creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or to participate in projects across Europe. It gives them a great opportunity for several activities that allow them to gain work experience and represent a great stepping stone in career opportunities.”

Europe’s main priorities for the coming years are the fight against climate change and digitalisation. She sees the role of libraries in the context of education: “Libraries could make a significant contribution to educating people by organising seminars and workshops, helping them to understand how they, as individuals, can contribute to our common European goal. Moreover, educating the older generations on how to use new technologies successfully will be crucial.”

At the end of the interview, she spoke about her views on the importance of libraries in Slovenian politics: “Of course, politicians are aware of the importance and the potential of public libraries, but how much they engage them in their policies, and their work as such, is a completely different question.” She stressed that the lack of emphasising the importance of public libraries is directly correlated to the lack of highlighting the meaning of culture in Slovenia’s public. It’s the result of the inactivity of the Slovenian Minister of Culture, who does not point out the problems in the field of culture, reflecting in the late responses or even non-response to the issues. Adding that in her opinion, education and culture need to cooperate in raising reading culture in Slovenia: “Promoting reading through mechanisms such as ‘the reading badge’ is undoubtedly welcome, but I believe that the main actors in the field of education and culture should come together and develop a strategy for increasing reading culture and library visits.” Finally, she listed some ideas that could make libraries more attractive to visitors and highlighted the need to keep up with the digital development by increasing the supply of digital materials and books.

A recording of the conversation, which – with the exception of the last question and the answer to it – was conducted in English, can be viewed HERE.

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Ecological compromises in achieving climate neutrality in Slovenia?

On Wednesday, 30 September 2020, MEP Irena Joveva hosted an informal virtual debate with experts and NGO representatives regarding Slovenia’s strategic plan and the need for an ecological compromise to achieve climate neutrality. Joveva wanted to emphasize the importance of dialogue with the profession and the need to communicate. The environmental and climate crisis is something that concerns all of us; therefore, the decision-makers must get to know different sides and hear other opinions. Balanced compromises are the only way we will be able to achieve the goal.

Irena Joveva initially explained the current vital issues being adopted at European level, focusing on the climate law and it’s the goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 in the EU. Joveva advocates the ambitious but realistic intermediate goal of a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).

She explained that many funds from the European budget, as well as all additional “post-corona” financial mechanisms, will be provided for the environment and nature. In her opinion, as this is a unique opportunity for Europe, funds should be provided to change the social paradigm. But one is the existence of funds, and the other is their usage: the implementation and spending will be in the hands of Member States, and it seems Slovenia does not have a general development strategy. Part of Slovenia’s plan to achieve the goal of climate neutrality is positioning of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) and wind power plants (WPPs) into the Natura 2000 protected areas. Joveva was interested in what ecological compromise we must – if necessary – reach.

Jurij Stritih, who participated in the preparation of the environmental study for the National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovenia (NEPN) said the placement of new HPP and WPP projects in the environment is not only unnecessary but also degrading for the environment while being non-compliant with environmental legislation. According to him, the main alternative to be highlighted is solar energy, which is often not taken seriously.

A few participants pointed out that solar power plants could be very effectively installed on the roofs of industrial buildings, shopping malls and parking lots. Dr. Tomislav Tkalec (Focus Association) added that in Slovenia, there would have to be several dispersed projects in terms of solar energy, showing a significant energy effect only cumulatively, which can be an investment barrier.

Tomaž Mihelič from DOPPS (Society for the Observation and Study of Birds of Slovenia) said that in most parts of Slovenia wind power plants do not pose a significant threat to birds. There are only a few critical ridges as a result of Slovenia’s position in the European area between the Dinarides and the Southern Alps. He agreed with Stritih that it is essential to provide a study of the very few sensitive regions in Slovenia, to thoughtfully place wind powerplants into the environment without significant negative effects on birds, thus facilitating procedures for energy investors.

Boštjan Surina (Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska) pointed out the problem of misleading and misinformation by the government and investors who want to present HPPs and WPPs to the public and local residents in the best possible light. Senka Šifkovič Vrbica, an environmental lawyer, mentioned that in the case of the construction of HPPs in the protected area, it is necessary to provide compensatory measures and provide replacement habitats. By doing so, dr. Urša Koce(DOPPS) highlighted the Brežice HPP project, which was carried out based on providing compensatory measures. Their study of the environment and the habitats created by the compensatory measures showed inefficiency of those measures. Damjan Vinko (Master of Biology, a former member of the NGO Council at the Ministry of the Environment) was critical of the possibility of prioritizing other benefits over the public benefit of nature conservation, which, according to him, can only be the exception and not the rule.

According to the participants, Slovenia lacks a long-term strategy for the future. It is crucial to establish the existence of alternatives beneficial to the economy while not having catastrophic effects on the environment and nature. They agreed there is no need to sacrifice environmental goals to achieve climate goals, as both can be achieved. Everyone also agreed with Irena Joveva that in addition to communication, transparency is crucial.

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“The price of inaction or low targets will be high, but not in monetary terms.”

On Friday, 11 September 2020, an online debate entitled “Green Deal after the pandemic” took place where MEP Irena Joveva (RE) together with MEP Ljudmila Novak (EPP), State Secretary at the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning dr. Metko Gorišek, Taj Zavodnik from the Society for Sustainable Development Focus, and dr. Luka Omladič, a philosopher and environmental analyst at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana, tried to find answers questions on what the agreement on the future of European finances and recovery from the pandemic reached in the July summit of EU member states brings from an environmental point of view.

 

Among other things, Members of the European Parliament point out the agreement does not make it possible to pursue the objectives of the European Green Deal. In recent months, the covid-19 pandemic and declining of economic activity and traffic developed a different apprehension of how to live differently, travel less and reduce consumption, all of which could make a vital contribution to achieving the goal of climate neutrality.

 

The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) today supported a proposal for a European Climate Act which proposes a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030 (compared to the base year 1990) and the achievement of carbon neutrality for all Member States until 2050. MEP Irena Joveva emphasised that time is ahead of us and not the other way around. “As a co-decision-maker, the European Parliament must set goals more ambitiously as each Member State often looks only at national interests and not at common / European interests and solidarity.” In her view, only the multiannual financial budget and the Just Transition Fund will not be sufficient to achieve the goal of climate neutrality; therefore, she emphasised the need for the so-called Union’s own resources. “A plastic tax has been agreed in the Council. I hope they at least extend the ETS mechanism, trade with emission coupons, at the same time, including the maritime and aviation industries, set a higher price for these coupons and then run the highest possible amount collected in the EU. Additionally, there is also a carbon import tax,” which she tries to pursue as a substitute member of the ENVI Committee.

 

In the end, it is up to the Member States to draw up national strategies and concrete steps to achieve the environmental objectives. The MEP Joveva expressed her concern regarding the usage of the European funds; she emphasised that, based on what she has heard so far, she is concerned that in Slovenia we will only use funds from the project to project, for short-term goals. “It is true; we will have to close TEŠ6, the construction of NEK 2 was mentioned, while we don’t talk enough about raising the share of renewable sources. Compared to other countries, the Slovenian percentage is growing too slow“ said Joveva. “The key projects will be the energy renovation of buildings, industry, renovation of the railway infrastructure, the transition to green transport, subsidies for electric vehicles, circular economy, personnel (re)training… Slovenia’s goals will have to be broader, long-term and much more imaginative to alleviate people’s social hardship, increase funding for health care, long-term care, while not reducing environmental ambitions. The price of inaction or insufficient goals in this area will be high, but not in terms of money.” These are vital things that all national decision-makers should keep in mind when formulating strategies, explained Joveva. She also pointed out that there are plenty of ideas or good practices that other countries are already implementing, from building wind power plants to a larger share of solar panels. France and Germany, for instance, have announced joint investments in the construction of batteries as well as investments in the production of hydrogen as an alternative energy source. It is necessary to set goals in the long-term strategy and pursue them if we genuinely want to live in a carbon-free environment by 2050.

 

Finally, she mentioned that the EU is undoubtedly a leading force in tackling climate challenges but that it is a global problem. “This ‘fight’ will depend on the result of upcoming elections in the United States, the results of which China is also waiting for.”

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“We can’t cure the infodemic virus, but we can treat it.”

MEP Irena Joveva was a guest on an online discussion organized by the Office of the European Parliament in Slovenia, titled “Misinformation during a pandemic in the digital era”. Discussions focused on the misinformation sources, the damage misinformation caused to society, the reach of traditional and modern media, the role of social networks in spreading misinformation, and the legislative framework and options of the EU to regulate the spread of misinformation. Participants of the discussion were MEP Tanja Fajon, prof. Mojca Matičič from the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions at the University Medical Center Ljubljana and Janja Božič Marolt, founder and director of the Mediana International Institute for Market and Media Research.

Mojca Matičič pointed out the call centre as an example of good practice for sharing information, which was organized by students of medicine during the first wave of the epidemic: “Access to credible information and empathetic and understandable dialogue with callers was a key factor of the project’s success.” Božič Marolt confirmed that people want credible information. Mediana’s research has shown that the highest level of trust between the Slovenian public has the public RTV broadcasting service. Contrary to the prevailing impression, the vast majority of Slovenes follow health and government recommendations and measures, protecting themselves and wearing masks. Fajon highlighted the importance of media education and media literacy with the emphasis that these two alone are not enough: “People summarize information with emotions and once false information is anchored in our brains, it is impossible to erase it. Not even with denials and lawsuits, the damage is done.”

Irena Joveva said that the European Commission is currently preparing digital services act and an action plan for democracy. They will regulate the field of hate speech, provide greater transparency of algorithms and clarity of content, primarily sponsored ones. She emphasized that we need both; self-regulation and taking the initiative and responsibility of online platforms for published content, as well as their legal regulation. There is a thin line, but we have to define the limitations. “Adoption of legislation is not the only responsibility of politics, but also how they behave and communicate. Communication in Slovenia was inappropriate; the citizens were to often confronted with conflicting information which contributed to conspiracy theories. As a result, people began to believe everyone and everything they have heard, instead of trusting the ones who provided them with credible information, “Joveva summed up.

Regarding hate speech, she pointed out the existence of different interpretations of what hate speech is: “We are arguing about this definition in the European Parliament because there are also MEPs who build their political messages on hate speech.” In the end, it will be a political agreement; however, she does not believe that the virus of infodemic can be cured, but it can be treated by combining legislative measures with the actions of the web platform operators. At the same time, a critical assessment by the people and the media will have to prevail. In this regard, Joveva points out the uncritical summarization of Twitter posts: “World leaders use it to communicate directly with citizens, without the filter of critical judegment, such as the judgement of journalists.” Božič Marolt, who believes that it is inappropriate for the public media news to open with unverified information from Twitter or to provide information from social media in the news program, also confirmed Joveva’s statement.

Mojca Matičič concluded with the similarities between the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and the COVID-19 pandemic. Matičič said: “We already knew exactly how the virus was transmitted in the early 1980s. There was no cure, no vaccine, but we knew a way to avoid infection. Unfortunately, this has not been talked about for years and years, even though millions of deaths could have been prevented. There has been a huge amount of misinformation and conspiracy theories arguing the disease does not exist. And there is still no vaccine against AIDS, but it is not problematic because we all know how to protect ourselves from getting infected. With the Covid pandemic, we have the opportunity to adapt our behaviour to protect ourselves, to be responsible, honest to ourselves and others, and to consider and spread reliable and verified information.“

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Irena Joveva in support of the 20th Pride Parade

Irena Joveva expressed her support for the organized LGBTIQ+ movement in Slovenia and participated at the 20th Pride Parade. Organizers note that progress on LGBTIQ+ rights has stagnated in recent years, and hatred against the LGBTIQ+ community has intensified.

The demands and political messages of this year’s Ljubljana Pride Parade focused mainly on the areas of access to health services, unregulated legal areas, requirements in the field of social security, the joint struggle of various movements and conditions in the field of social inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people. The organizers are also critical of the intensification of repression against LGBTIQ+ people, which is taking place simultaneously as the attacks on the basics of democracy, such as freedom of the media, division of power, free public expression of disagreement and transparent elections. In Slovenia, they observe the sympathy of political representatives with the policy of t. i. Visegrad groups. Joveva, whose work in politics is based on overcoming a culture of hatred, attended the parade to support the LGBTIQ+ movement and raise awareness among the general population about diversity, its acceptance and destigmatization of various social groups.

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“The planned subordination of the media in Slovenia to the ruling politics is a clear signal for alarm”

MEPs Irena Joveva and dr. Klemen Grošelj addressed a letter to the Vice-President of the European Commission Vera Jourova, European Commissioner designate for Values and Transparency,  in which they drew attention to the controversial proposal of media legislation in Slovenia.

Honourable Commissioner Věra Jourová,

Recently we have been concerned about the reports on proposed changes to Slovenian media legislation. It has been hastily and secretly prepared by the closed circle of the Cabinet of Ministry of Culture, on behalf of the current Government of the Republic of Slovenia, without the participation of stakeholders and professionals. Allow us to briefly acquaint you with the critical elements of the proposed changes, which will have radical consequences for the media landscape in Slovenia, alongside a negative impact on the democratic development of our homeland.

In the proposition, the changes envisage radical interventions in the financing and functioning of the public media service, thus causing it to transform from a public service to just another one of the media outlets in the country.

RTV contribution represents the foundation of political and financial independence and thus the basis of public media status. By proposing the division of said contribution amongst other media, they are, under the false pretext of pursuing the public interest, favouring well-defined and precisely selected media, owned or directly influenced and controlled by the leading coalition party SDS. Moreover, in the proposed legislation, the intended exclusion of the institutional organisation unit “Transmitters and Communications” is related to the proposers desire of strengthening the television activity of the Nova24TV and Planet TV media; both of which are, or are passing under the auspices of Hungarian assets associated with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the Fidesz party.

RTV Slovenia is the only public, non-profit radio and television organisation in Slovenia. As a public institution of unique cultural and national importance, it performs by a law specified public service in the department of radio and television activity. Its purpose is to satisfy the democratic, social and cultural needs of Slovenian citizens, as well as members of the Slovenian national minorities and the Italian and Hungarian communities.

Slovenian Press Agency (STA) is currently financed directly from the Slovenian budget, where over the years, their share has been reduced continuously. According to this proposal, STA would no longer be financed directly from the budget, while their financing would only include a redirected part of the RTV contribution. Furthermore, the leverage for the appointment of the STA leadership (the government would appoint four of the five members of the supervisory board) is a big step backwards in ensuring the autonomy and independence of the agency.

Based on what has been written, we are assuming that the establishment of governmental control over the public, regional and local media, is the primary purpose of proposed changes. It would destroy stable and independent journalistic reporting, thus destroying the pillars of any democratic society.
The planned subordination of the media to Slovenia’s governmental politics, reflected in different proposed changes in media legislation and numerous public statements by the SDS party following the occurrences in other member states, is alarming for 21st century Europe.

The controversy of the proposed legislation, due to the interference in the independence of Slovenian media services, has been pointed out by many independent organisations in Slovenia. Simultaneously, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the European Union of Journalists (EFJ) and the Media Organization of Southeast Europe (SEEMO) have addressed a letter expressing great concern for the future of public media in Slovenia, to the Prime Minister Janša.

Honourable Commissioner, we urge you to safeguard media independence in the EU, to continue to draw attention to the violations of media freedom and, consequently, to open a debate on an actual case at European level as well.

Sincerely yours,
Irena Joveva
dr. Klemen Grošelj

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“The abuse and politicisation of the Srebrenica genocide is just the tip of the iceberg”

MEP Irena Joveva and dr. Klemen Grošelj addressed a letter to the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli in which they drew attention to the tweet of Prime Minister Janša who abused and politicized historical facts of the Srebrenica genocide for purely internal ideological and party purposes. Such political statements and the way of communication should be condemned.

Dear President Sassoli,

On Saturday 11 July, we commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, which symbolises the dark abyss of the Balkan wars and the darkest hour in modern European history. On this occasion, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, a close political ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, published a tweet stating that the massacre “would not have occurred if Communist ideology had been eliminated from the territory of the former Yugoslavia and post-war killings in Slovenia and elsewhere condemned.”

A few hours later, he tweeted that “the Srebrenica massacre would not have occurred if the United Nations had condemned Communist genocides the same way they condemned the Holocaust. Because this did not happen, the JLA [Yugoslav People’s Army] doctrine that the opponent must be physically destroyed sprung to life again during the break-up of Yugoslavia”.

We find such statements, in complete disregard of historical facts, to be a gross misinterpretation of the tragedy that unfolded in Srebrenica and a shameful political manipulation that offends the memory of thousands of men, women and children who lost their lives in one of the most tragic events in recent European history. It is undoubtable that all similar atrocities must be condemned in the strongest possible way, wherever and whenever they take place. But resorting to the political and ideological misuse and even abuse of historical facts is deeply intolerable.

The abuse and politicisation of the Srebrenica genocide for pure internal ideological and partisan purposes by Slovenian Prime Minister Janša is only the tip of the iceberg of a broader and extremely worrying trend of historical revisionism and relativism brought about by the alarming growth of far-right and populist forces across the European Union.

Such bold and unscrupulous attempts to manipulate and re-write history, especially by the highest political state representative, are sadly becoming the norm in Slovenia and parts of the EU, quickly spreading throughout the entire continent. We firmly believe that such actions cannot and should not be ignored. We, as elected representatives of the EU, have the duty to condemn this sort of political statements and communication.

We therefore call upon you, honourable Mr President, to take the necessary political initiative and launch a serious, EU-wide political discussion on this matter. As we begin debates on the Future of Europe, acknowledging and respecting historical accuracy needs to be one of its crucial pillars.

Yours sincerely,
Klemen Grošelj
Irena Joveva

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Letter to President von der Leyen on non-compliance with EC recommendations for reopening of borders

Today, 29 May 2020, MEPs Valter Flego, Irena Joveva and Klemen Grošelj (Renew Europe) addressed a letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on opening borders after the Covid-19 pandemic. While most European countries are opening their borders in line with the Commission’s recommendations, some have chosen to bypass them.

Distinguished President von der Leyen,

Two weeks ago, the European Commission has presented to Member States a package of guidelines and recommendations to help them to gradually lift travel restrictions and allow tourism businesses to reopen while respecting necessary health precautions.

The guidelines and recommendations are not legally binding for Member States, nevertheless European foundations are based on solidarity, tolerance, inclusion, justice, and non-discrimination.

Based on these core principles, in the presented documents it is clearly stated that “the gradual removal of restrictions to free movement and lifting of internal borders, proportionality and non-discrimination between EU citizens must be ensured”.

Free movement and cross-border travels are key for the tourism sector, and hence governmental advises not to travel outside home countries for the forthcoming summer holidays can significantly disrupt the economies where tourism accounts for a significant share of GDP.

Newest EU members States, such as Croatia and Slovenia, have shown to be prepared and responsible during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus taking necessary measures to protect public health and stop the virus spread. Consequently, both in Croatia and Slovenia, epidemiological situations are among the best in Europe.

While most European countries are opening their borders in compliance with Commission’s recommendations, other have decided to go round it. The Austrian Government has stated that it will not open its borders to countries that do not yet control the coronavirus situation, adding that borders will be open to certain European countries as from mid-June. However, neither Croatia nor Slovenia are on the list.

This is not the first crisis that Europe is facing; the migrant crisis, the terrorist attacks, the great economic crisis and today COVID-19. They have all posed huge challenges for the EU testing
our unity and strength. However, no crisis so far has succeeded to undermine the stability and
security of Member States.

This is why we sincerely hope that the Commission will react to those announcements, which
are inconsistent with the European COVID-19 recovery plan and EU fundamental values.

Measures undertaken by certain European leaders undermine our solidarity, weaken citizens’
trust in EU institutions and make room to unilateral decisions to the detriment of the Union’s
stability. Alike, they foment nationalist tensions and push part of European countries into
isolation.

Therefore, once again, we call on you to preserve the solidarity the European Union is based
upon.

COVID-19 will have long-term consequences for the EU and the world, but we shall not allow
actions that can undeservedly increase negative consequences for our countries and pave the
way for violations of the European idea of solidarity and unity.

Sincerely,

Members of the European Parliament
Valter Flego
Irena Joveva
Klemen Grošelj

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The European Commission would like to hear your opinion on the European Climate Pact

The European Commission invites all interested public to express their views on the European Climate Pact through public consultations.

The Green Deal is a new EU strategy to combat climate change, designed to make the European economy more sustainable, cleaner, safer and healthier. To achieve this, the European Commission has decided to involve the public as a whole in order to create a new culture of awareness and launch concrete joint actions. It therefore calls on stakeholders to express their views on the green aspects of EU legislation and policies through public consultations. The deadline for submitting your views on the European Commission’s website is 17 June 2020.

At the adoption of the European Green Deal in Parliament, Renew Europe Group MEPs have already emphasised the importance of such an agreement as a general strategy for the EU and that all measures must take into account environmental challenges aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 ° C. We wish that EU reduces its domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels at the latest by 2030. To achieve this goal, Renew Europe insists on the importance of supporting investment in clean technologies and promoting the market for sustainable products combined with the rapid abandonment of direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies. Our group also fully supports the concept of a Fair Transition, which makes climate and environmental transformation a European success story.

Especially now, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery will need to be focused on green recovery and economic momentum. The transition to a modern, climate-neutral, economical, competitive and self-sufficient industrial base in the EU will be crucial for a post-pandemic Europe.

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