Frances Fitzgerald MEP @FitzgeraldFrncs@respublicae.eu

And to conclude the #SOTEU President @vonderleyen shares the story of Magdalena & Agnieszka, who join us in the chamber today.

They set up a tent & gathered 3,000 volunteers to welcome refugees 24/7 in Warsaw. 👏

"Their story is about everything our Union stands for"

🇪🇺🇮🇪🇺🇦

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569963111133888512

Turning to the future and the younger generations;

"That we should do no harm to our children's future"

"It is time to enshrine solidarity between generations in our Treaties"

"The moment has arrived for a European Convention"

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569961382413570051

On Foreign Policy matters she reaches out to the people of Ukraine, Moldova & Georgia 🇺🇦🇲🇩🇬🇪

"You are part of our family, your future is in our Union, and our Union is not complete without you!"

#SOTEU

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569959135487168514

Commission President @vonderleyen pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II calling her "a legend" and that "she always found the right words for every moment in time".

🇮🇪🇪🇺🇬🇧

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569957961010761729

@EU_Commission @EPPGroup @FineGael @NewstalkFM @rtenews 🚨 President @vonderleyen announces that 2023 will be the year of "Education and Training" to address labour shortages and our transition to a digital economy.

Unemployment in the EU stands at 6% - "this is a good thing" 🇪🇺

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569956841207091200

The @EU_Commission will put forward an "SME Relief Package"

It will include a proposal for a single set of tax rules for doing business in Europe - called "BEFIT"

I want to welcome this announcement as I called for specific EU support for #SMEs last week 👏

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569955042387435522

The President announces a new "European Hydrogen Bank"

It will invest €3billion to help to construct a future hydrogen market

#GreenDeal #SOTEU

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569953086369665025

Furthermore, "The current electricity market design based on the principle of merit order is not fit for purpose anymore, it's not just for consumers" is met with applause from MEPs in the chamber.

"Deep & comprehensive reform of the electricity market" - @vonderleyen

#SOTEU

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569951823775121408

.@vonderleyen turns to energy and shares that last year "Russian gas accounted for 40% of imported gas to Europe, now it is down to 9%"

She announces a "cap on the revenues of companies that produce electricity at low costs "

"We must ensure security of supply"

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569950317747265537

Addressing the Ukrainian first lady, Olena Zelenska, @vonderleyen says:

"Sanctions are here to stay...this has to be very clear"

"Team Europe has given more than €19 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine (excluding military aid)"

#SOTEU

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569948914442182658

President @vonderleyen begins her address appropriately by speaking about #Ukraine

The EU response has been "united, determined & immediate"

This is "autocracy against democracy"

"Putin will fail"

"Ukraine & Europe will prevail"

"Slava Ukraini"🇺🇦

#SOTEU

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569947614426316801

Good morning from the hemicycle of @europarl_en in Strasbourg where President @vonderleyen is just about to deliver her #SOTEU

Solidarity with Ukraine, action on the energy price crisis, tackling inflation and fighting climate change are expected to be key themes.

Stay tuned!

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569945799500464128

🚨| This morning President @vonderleyen will deliver her third #SOTEU to MEPs, it will set out:

🔵@EU_Commission work programme for 2023
🔵Proposals to address the energy crisis
🔵Reaffirm solidarity with Ukraine

🔴Tune in live from 8AM here: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/home.html

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569937019647758336

Putin is using energy as a weapon of war-we cannot let him win 🇪🇺

We need:
➡️a price shield for small businesses
➡️a price cap on energy
➡️to reduce taxes on fuel
➡️to diversify our energy sources & move to renewables
➡️to tax the super profits of energy companies

@EPPGroup

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569734686729187329

At the launch of an exhibition in @europarl_en entitled “HOW THE WAR STOLE MY HOME TWICE” 🇺🇦

The artist, a young Ukrainian woman-Polina Budagovska-explains how she has been forced to flee her home twice with the invasion of Donetsk in 2014 & Kyiv in 2022-a reminder to us all 🇪🇺

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569718604882493444

Voting this morning in the @europarl_en to provide macro-financial assistance to Ukraine. As the Ukrainian people continue to bravely defend their country Europe must continue to support Ukrainians to rebuild their lives @UkraineIreland

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569630797283344387

“Despite our background, age or gender we all work for the benefit of our citizens and when we have diversity in decision-making, the decisions are better!”

Keep on Rocking PM @MarinSanna 👏🏻

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569629984997744640

A breath of fresh air in @europarl_en this morning!

PM @MarinSanna talked about valuing diversity, reaffirming our commitment to Ukraine and taking bold action on climate change.

Although we face a tough period ahead, we must have 'hope'.

A modern & progressive PM 🇫🇮🇪🇺

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569612337346408451

🗣| Addressing an international roundtable on “Civil Society: Empowerment & Accountability” organised by @IrishRepCoE

➡️ The involvement of NGO’s & civil society organisations makes the process of public decision-making more participative, resulting in better outcomes for all.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569605765991743490

🗳| Preparing for a busy Plenary session in @europarl_en this week.

On the agenda:
🇪🇺 #SOTEU where @vonderleyen will announce proposals to address the energy crisis
💡Renewable energy
💶Minimum wage rules
🌳Forests
🇫🇮Address from Finnish PM Sanna Marin

Stay tuned 📲

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/FitzgeraldFrncs/status/1569373768157646848