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On Wednesday, the European Parliament will debate the upcoming EU summit, scheduled for Thursday. “Wherever we look, democracy and freedom are at stake, be it in Ukraine, in Georgia or Syria. Our leaders should not refrain from taking bold decisions at the upcoming summit that will enable the EU to defend its interests, to protect its citizens and secure the EU’s role as a global player and strong defender of democracy,” stresses Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group.

The EPP Group sees the fall of the Assad regime as a historic turning point for Syrians and urges all actors to exercise moderation and restraint to ensure an inclusive transition and the democratic restoration of the country. “We welcome the end of the tyrannical rule of the Assad family, which opens a unique opportunity for Syrians to shape a better future. We call on the EU to actively support the democratic restoration of Syria, including careful engagement with the transitional authorities and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian aid. All actors on the ground must commit to moderation and inclusion, paving the way for democracy and freedom while contributing to the stability of the region. This transition must integrate all factions and protect minorities, including religious communities,” says Ingeborg Ter Laak MEP, the EPP Group Spokeswoman on Syria.

To secure the competitiveness of the European car industry, the EPP Group is calling for a revision of the ban on internal combustion engines, a technology-neutral approach to encourage innovation, temporary relief measures to help carmakers avoid being penalised, and a push for a faster roll-out of electric vehicle infrastructure. "We want to create clear framework conditions so that the industry can emerge stronger from the current crises," says Jens Gieseke MEP, who is in charge of the topic in the EPP Group. On Wednesday, the EPP Group adopted a plan to ensure the competitiveness of the European car industry. Read the full text of the EPP Group's plan here. Read the full text of the EPP Group's plan here.

María Corina Machado, the leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela, and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, as representative of all Venezuelans inside and outside the country fighting for freedom and democracy, will receive the 2024 Sakharov Prize at the ceremony on Tuesday at noon. Their candidacy for the prize was proposed by the EPP Group’s Portuguese and Spanish delegations. “We pay tribute to two outstanding and inspiring Venezuelan leaders for their courageous work in the defence of fundamental freedoms, the development of democracy and the implementation of the rule of law. By honouring them, we honour the entire Venezuelan people, who for too long have been subjected to a brutal regime," says Sebastião Bugalho MEP. This prize “powerfully underscores the EPP Group's support for democracy and Human Rights in Venezuela,” adds Gabriel Mato MEP.