Written explanations of vote Andrey NOVAKOV

This dossier strengthens the rights of air passengers across Europe while striking a balanced compromise that provides greater legal certainty for both passengers and the aviation sector. It preserves the current three-hour threshold for compensation in cases of long delays and maintains the existing compensation levels. At the same time, it introduces a clearer definition of extraordinary circumstances, making the rules more predictable and easier to apply in practice. A real improvement is that, following a flight disruption, airlines will be required to proactively inform passengers about their rights, including their entitlement to compensation and clear instructions on how to submit a claim. This will make it significantly easier for passengers to understand and exercise their rights. The new Regulation offers many new rights, such as stronger protection for families and people with disabilities. Children will be able to sit next to their parents at no extra cost. I therefore voted in favour of this report, which delivers stronger passenger rights while ensuring a fair and balanced framework for Europe's aviation sector.

The interim report on the post‑2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) sets out the European Parliament’s position ahead of crucial negotiations on the Union’s long‑term budget for 2028-2034. It strikes a compromise between reinforcing new priorities, such as competitiveness, defence and innovation, and safeguarding important policies, notably cohesion and agriculture.
I particularly welcome the strong commitment to cohesion policy, which remains essential for reducing regional disparities, supporting local development and delivering tangible benefits to citizens across all regions. In this context, Parliament calls for EUR 307 billion for regional policy, compared to EUR 228 billion proposed by the Commission – an increase of over 25 %. It also supports a significant strengthening of the common agricultural policy, increasing it from EUR 293 billion to EUR 433 billion, a rise of more than 30 %. At a time of growing economic and geopolitical challenges, these priorities ensure that cohesion and agriculture remain central pillars of the Union’s investment strategy.
The report also calls for an ambitious yet realistic budget that allocates resources where they are most needed while maintaining transparency, accountability and democratic oversight. It further stresses the importance of owning new resources to sustainably finance EU priorities. I voted in favour.

The complexities of the volatile security environment require the EU to forge stronger, sustainable and tailored partnerships with global like-minded partners. Previous strategic documents have been calling on deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with bilateral, regional and multilateral parties. Therefore, this report welcomes the security and defence partnerships (SDPs) which the EU has concluded so far with third countries in Europe and beyond. These seek to frame the scope of cooperation between the EU and the party concerned among different areas of competence and capabilities within the remit of security and defence. Among them are counter-terrorism, managing cyber-threats, cooperation on maritime security, working on space and disruptive technologies, and enhancing interoperability.
SDPs are a tool which strengthens the EU’s standing as a respectable and engaged global actor. They enhance EU’s resilience and strategic autonomy while being fully complementary to NATO. I voted in favour of the text.

This dossier concerns the rights of air passengers and is among the most important legislative files in the TRAN Committee for the current 10th legislature. I was tasked with the highly responsible role of being a rapporteur.
Upon second reading in plenary, the text received approval with an overwhelming historic majority, being adopted with 96.3 % of votes in favour. This powerful political statement demonstrates that the EP stands united for a balanced approach between the protection of consumers and the competitiveness of the aviation sector. It also gives me a strong mandate for the upcoming negotiations with the Council.
Among other things, this file calls for keeping the compensation threshold in cases of flight disruptions at three hours (with current compensation amounts preserved) and promoting legal certainty with clearer and enforceable rules. To this end, an updated and exhaustive list of extraordinary circumstances will be drawn.
Furthermore, the file foresees simpler and faster reimbursement procedures by making use of easy pre-filled forms for both delays and cancellations. Adults accompanying children under 14 years of age and travellers accompanying persons with reduced mobility are entitled to sit with them at no extra cost.

Geopolitical instabilities require the EU to be ready to respond swiftly and decisively along its external borders. Recent developments have drawn attention to military mobility, defence readiness, deterrence, resilience and interoperability, highlighting the urgent need for rapid cross-border movement of troops, equipment and assets. Apart from being an essential enabler to credible defence capabilities, military mobility aspects have dual-use functionality pertaining to humanitarian aid, improved regional transportation links, enhancement of the pan-European network and better connectivity across EU countries by rail, road, waterways, sea and air.
This report underlines the strategic need for investments in the four EU priority military mobility corridors: – the northern, eastern, central southern and central northern corridors. Therefore, it welcomes the proposed increase in the budget for military mobility in the forthcoming MFF. Furthermore, the report calls for a comprehensive approach to military logistics, including security of critical infrastructure, transport hubs, maintenance, storage, refuelling, repair and ammunition. It also addresses bottlenecks and strategic shortcomings, insists on simplified procedures for funding of dual-use infrastructure projects, and calls on the Commission to provide a roadmap towards a ‘military Schengen area’.
The report was adopted with a wide majority and I voted in favour of it.

The first-ever European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) was approved with an overwhelming majority. Among its goals are a strengthened EU defence technological and industrial base, enhanced EU defence capabilities, joint European procurement of defence-related products, increased support for Ukraine and deeper cooperation on defence innovation. To boost our own defence companies, the ‘buy European’ principle has been endorsed. For the first time the EU will be able to fund armament projects built mainly with components which are designed and produced in the EU (no less than 65 % of the estimated total cost).
With EUR 1.5 billion, the EU is taking responsibility for its security and preparedness. EDIP foresees the creation of a Fund to Accelerate Defence Supply Chain Transformation to total an indicative amount of at least EUR 150 million. The programme allows Member States to use the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to its full potential, by diverting and reallocating unspent RRF-backed funds to support EDIP projects. EDIP seeks to achieve defence industrial readiness by bridging the gap between short-term emergency measures, such as the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), with a more structural, long-term approach.

The adopted report is both ambitious and realistic in striking a balance between environmental protection and economic realities as it aligns with science-based pathways.
The report texts set the 2040 target at 90 % emissions reduction compared to 1990 levels. This target will ensure that the EU stays on track to meet its international commitments, deliver tangible results on protecting the environment and smoothly transitioning towards climate neutrality.
It is noteworthy to mention that there are several flexibilities, including the use of international carbon credits, enabling conditions, review clause and impact assessment to follow up on feasibility. The use of carbon credits comes with the expectation of strict quality criteria to ensure environmental integrity. This decision gives the EU a clearer legal and strategic pathway for the years to come. Predictability will send a strong signal to investors, will encourage innovation and will allow for more flexibility in times of a turbulent international setting.

This file relates to the Omnibus I package and contributes to the overarching goal of reducing administrative burdens, cutting costs, simplifying rules, providing clarity and unlocking the potential of the European industry while striking a balance between sustainability and competitiveness.
The European Parliament endorsed reduced reporting duties and due diligence requirements for companies. Sustainability reporting will become simpler and applicable only to larger businesses employing on average over 1 750 employees and with a net annual turnover of over EUR 450 million.
Furthermore, due diligence requirements would apply only to large corporations with more than 5 000 employees and a net annual turnover of over EUR 1.5 billion. Reporting standards would require fewer qualitative details and sector-specific reporting would become voluntary. Businesses will be liable at the national level. Smaller companies would be protected from the reporting requirements of their large business partners, thus creating favourable conditions to develop, grow and create new workplaces. Companies would no longer need to prepare transition plans to make their business models compatible with the Paris Agreement.
Moreover, the EP encourages the Commission to establish a digital portal for businesses with free access to templates, guidelines and information on all EU reporting requirements. I voted in favour.

A number of Member States recorded violations of their airspace resulting in flight disruptions, damaged infrastructure and economic losses. These deliberate provocations by the Russian Federation follow a clear pattern and seek to divert the attention of NATO and the EU from helping Ukraine.
I was entrusted with the responsibility to be the EPP negotiator on a European Parliament resolution addressing this issue. Recent airspace incursions demand a bold response. Therefore, the resolution encourages Member States to take proportionate action, including by shooting down airborne threats.
The text calls on increasing the effectiveness of sanctions on Russia, addressing sanctions circumvention, employing frozen assets to the benefit of Ukraine, investing more in defence, creating new institutional mechanisms and making better use of existing ones.
The resolution asks the Commission and the Council to develop an action plan of retaliatory measures to reciprocate Russian hybrid warfare in terrestrial, aerial, maritime and digital domains. It welcomes the 'drone wall' initiative, stresses the importance of developing UAV capabilities and underlines the urgent necessity to diversify supply of raw materials.
The resolution suggests that Member States modify their NRRPs, amend national regulatory frameworks and be granted exemptions from EU environmental legislation.
The text was adopted with an overwhelming majority.

The report on the role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition addresses the challenges and opportunities of moving towards climate neutrality by 2050. It stresses that while transition can create jobs and generate innovations, it may also pose the risk of increasing disparities in regions heavily dependent on carbon-intensive industries. The text highlights the importance of the Just Transition Fund and cohesion instruments in supporting reskilling and quality training, as well as in ensuring that smaller regions and communities can have equal access to funding. The report also refers to the need for better coordination between EU funds, investment in housing and public services, and stronger involvement of local and regional authorities in implementation. It suggests simplification of procedures that would ensure a reduction of the administrative burden. The report calls for the establishment of a successor instrument after 2027 to provide continued support for regions undergoing transformation.
For those reasons, I voted in favour of the report.