Speeches

Does anyone want to speak against? That does not seem to be the case. I put the request to the vote by roll call. (Parliament approved the request) The statement is added. The debate will be wound up with a resolution. The vote will be on Thursday. The deadlines are: motions for resolutions – Tuesday 12 December at noon; amendments to motions for resolutions, and joint motions for resolutions – Wednesday 13 December at noon; amendments to joint motions for resolutions – Wednesday 13 December at 13.00; split and separate votes – Wednesday 13 December at 19.00. Also for Tuesday, the Greens Group has requested that the statement by the Vice-President / High representative on ‘the environmental consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the need for accountability’ be wound up with a resolution to be voted at the January part-session. I give the floor to Heidi Hautala to move the request.

I put the request of The Left Group to the vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) The S&D, Renew, The Left and Greens/EFA Groups have requested that a statement by the Vice-President / High Representative on ‘Attempt of coup d’état in Guatemala’ be added as the third item in the afternoon. The debate would be wound up with a resolution to be voted on Thursday. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to Jordi Cañas to move the request.

We now come to the order of business. The final draft agenda as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 7 December pursuant to Rule 157 has been distributed. With the agreement of the political groups, I wish to put to the House the following proposal for changes to the final draft agenda. The order of debates today, Monday, will change. The debate on the report by Ms Peter-Hansen on ‘The role of tax policy in times of crisis’ will be taken as the second item, whereas the debate on the report by Mr Bogovič on ‘Small modular reactors’ will be taken as the third item. A short presentation of the report by Mr Bernhuber on ‘Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain “Breakfast” Directives’ will replace the short presentation of the report by Ms Mazurek on ‘The implementation of the 2018 Geo-blocking Regulation’ which will go directly to the votes on Wednesday. The debate on the report by Ms Pagazaurtundúa on ‘Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crimes’ foreseen as the third item on Wednesday afternoon will be postponed to the January part-session. Deadlines for amendments will be open for the report by Mr Hajšel on ‘The European Hydrogen Bank’, which will be voted on Thursday. The deadlines are as follows: alternative motions for resolutions – Tuesday 12 December at noon; joint motions for resolutions – Wednesday 13 December at 10.00; split and separate votes – Wednesday 13 December at 16.00. If there are no objections, these changes are approved. We now move to changes requested by the political groups, starting with Tuesday. The Left Group has requested that Council and Commission statements on the review of the economic governance framework be added as the second item in the afternoon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to José Gusmão to move the request.

Several committees have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 71(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The reports, which constitute the mandates for the negotiations, are available on the plenary webpage and their titles will be published in the minutes of the sitting. Pursuant to Rule 71(2), Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, Tuesday 12 December at midnight, that the decisions be put to the vote. If no request for a vote in Parliament is made before the deadline, the committees may start the negotiations.

The competent authorities of Poland have notified me of the election of Rafał Romanowski to the European Parliament replacing Zbigniew Kuźmiuk with effect from 29 November 2023. The competent authorities of Spain have notified me of the election of Patricia Caro Maya to the European Parliament replacing Ernest Urtasun with effect from 30 November 2023. The competent authorities of France have notified me of the election of François Thiollet to the European Parliament replacing Michèle Rivasi with effect from 30 November 2023. I wish to welcome our new colleagues and recall that they take their seats in Parliament and on its bodies in full enjoyment of their rights pending the verification of their credentials.

The minutes and texts adopted of the sitting of 23 November are available. Are there any comments? As that is not the case the minutes are approved.

Today we mark five years since the horrific terror attack in Strasbourg that claimed the lives of five innocent people and left dozens more injured. Among the victims were two journalists working for Eurofonica: Bartosz Niedzielski from Poland and Antonio Megalizzi from Italy. For their work in promoting the initiatives of the European Parliament and for their heroism in successfully preventing the attacker from entering a place full of people in the centre of Strasbourg, they will always be remembered in this House and beyond. (Applause) Dear colleagues, on 23 November, the Lithuanian Parliament awarded the European Parliament the 2023 Freedom Prize of the Republic of Lithuania. Since 2011, this Freedom Prize has rewarded those who significantly contribute to the defence of human rights and the promotion of international cooperation in Eastern and Central Europe. With the Freedom Prize of Lithuania, our institution is praised for our long-standing position in support of the self-determination of nations and democracy. I know that this House will live up to the responsibility and the legacy of this Prize and I think I speak on all our behalf when we thank the Lithuanian Parliament for this honour. (Applause)

Since you make it on behalf of the group, just to warn the other groups that there will be a recorded vote on that point, but I will alert well enough in advance.

President. – Congratulations to the rapporteurs. The joint text agreed by the Conciliation Committee on 11 November 2023 has been approved by both Parliament and the Council. The budgetary procedure for the financial year 2024 can thus be deemed to have been completed. The Union’s general budget for the financial year 2024 is definitively adopted, and I will now sign the budget. (The President of Parliament signed the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024.)

The next item is the vote. (For the results and other details concerning the vote: see minutes) Mr Dzhambazki, do you have a point of order to do with the votes?

Dear colleagues, in an increasingly complex geopolitical context, the European and African continents share mutual challenges and concerns. As a like-minded partner and key strategic ally on the African continent, it is my pleasure to welcome President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya to the European Parliament. President Ruto, this House has closely followed your commitment towards our shared values and democratic principles; your active engagement in strengthening multilateral institutions; your pivotal role in upholding the rules-based international order in times of war, contributing to international burden-sharing – whether by hosting refugees or by backing peace-building and police missions across the world. We have also seen Kenya’s influential role in amplifying Africa’s concerns on climate change. The summit organised recently in Nairobi – the first Africa Climate Summit – underlined our shared vision on international climate diplomacy and decarbonisation. The European Union is committed to the transition towards renewable energy sources and I am convinced that we will share the needed leadership when implementing the Global Gateway projects on Green Hydrogen. Kenyans can be proud of their democracy, of their vibrant civil society, of their pluralistic and free media. And because you are here amongst allies and friends, allow me a moment to emphasise the crucial link between democracy and human rights in building inclusive societies. This means embracing diversity, including on sexual orientation, protecting minorities and addressing inequalities. One last word on trade: let me commend you on the conclusion of the negotiations to establish an EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, which is due to be signed next month. This House stands ready to play a positive and constructive continued role in strengthening our cooperation. Dear President Ruto, the floor is yours.

Would any colleague like to speak against? I see that is not the case. So we vote on this by show of hands. (Parliament approved the request) The order of business is thus established. (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)

For Thursday, the S&D Group has requested that the vote on the report by Mr Ruiz Devesa and Mr Simon on ‘The European Elections 2024’ be postponed to the next part-session. I give the floor to Mr Ruiz Devesa to move the request on behalf of the S&D Group.

OK. So we will put the initial request by the ECR Group to the vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the ECR Group’s request) We will now vote on the alternative proposal by the S&D Group, if you would like to keep the item on the agenda, Mr Heinäluoma? I see you would, so we will put the alternative proposal of the S&D Group to a vote. (Parliament approved the S&D Group’s proposal) Therefore we will have the sitting extended until 23.00 tomorrow. For Wednesday, The Left Group has requested that the debate on the Council and Commission statements on ‘The humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need for the release of hostages and for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire and the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East’ be wound up with a resolution. I give the floor to Manon Aubry to move the request on behalf of The Left Group.

Several committees have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 71(1). The reports which constitute the mandates for the negotiations are available on the plenary web page, and their titles will be published in the minutes of the sitting. Pursuant to Rule 71(2), Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, 21 November, at midnight, that the decisions be put to the vote. If no request for a vote in Parliament is made before the deadline, the committees may start the negotiations.

In relation to the decisions by several committees to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 71(1) announced at the opening of the session on Wednesday 8 November, I have received no requests for a vote in Parliament by Members or a political group or groups reaching at least the medium threshold. The committees may therefore start the negotiations.

The competent authorities of Poland have notified me of the election of Witold Pahl and Włodzimierz Witold Karpiński to the European Parliament, replacing Bartosz Arłukowicz and Krzysztof Hetman respectively with effect from 16 November 2023. I wish to welcome our new colleagues and recall that they take their seats in Parliament and on its bodies in full enjoyment of their rights, pending the verification of their credentials.

First of all, dear colleagues, this House is shocked to hear that former Member and Vice-President of the European Parliament, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, was shot in Spain in what can only be described as a brutal and cowardly act of violence. We trust that the Spanish authorities are doing everything within their power to bring the perpetrators to justice. Our full solidarity goes out to Mr Vidal-Quadras and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. (Applause) Dear colleagues, 9 days ago, 22-year-old biomedical engineering student Giulia Cecchettin was reported missing. Last Saturday, her lifeless body was found butchered near Lake Barcis in the north-east of Italy. Giulia Cecchettin, Ashling Murphy, Bernice Cassar, Paulina Dembska and many, many more: these are some of the many examples of abuse and murder of women in Europe simply for being women. It is appalling, it is terrible and it is completely unacceptable. So let us reiterate: we need proper protection frameworks. We need more convictions of those who prey on females. We need to end the remaining institutional blindness to this epidemic upon women. There are no more excuses. It is already too late. No words of comfort can ever bring a mother, a daughter or a sister back. But justice and accountability is a small step for those they leave behind. We must do more for women, so on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, let us recommit ourselves to do everything possible to prevent violence against women and girls in Europe and beyond. And the European Parliament will discuss what it can do to address this issue in this Chamber on Thursday. (Applause) Dear colleagues, today also marks International Children’s Day. For too many children, the world is a darker place than it should be. Too many children have been forced to grow up too quickly. Too many children know what it is like to go to sleep hungry. Too few children remember what the inside of a classroom looks like. Too many children have been torn away from their families and their childhoods. Too many children have become victims who will never grow up at all. The European Parliament has always stood for humanity, and I want to use this platform today to give them and all those fighting on their behalf – many of whom are in this Chamber and whom I thank – home and hope in a better tomorrow, in a world where light is shone even in the darkest of places, a world where children are allowed simply to be children. That is why we will continue to use every tool available to us to help bring back the many thousands of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly removed by Russia from their homes. This is why we will use every tool we can to advocate their return, why it is important to them and to their loved ones to know that they are not forgotten. In conflict, in war, in aggression or acts of terror it is too often innocent children who are forced to pay the ultimate price. On behalf of the European Parliament I visited the horrors of Kfar Azza in Israel, where children were mutilated, tortured and taken. I met with parents and families of those kidnapped. Forty-four days later, there are still too many children in the clutches of Hamas, hidden in Gaza’s tunnels. We must help to bring them home – all of them. And I am hopeful that we will soon see more progress on this front. (Applause) As the mother of one of the children taken said, ‘In a competition of pain there is no winner’. Children should be with their families. Children should be able to have a chance at a childhood without fear, without terror. When I met – and a lot of you met them too – 11-year-old Fatima and Mohammed, Palestinians who lost countless relatives and family members in Gaza, I told them that even in the fog of war, children and the innocent must be protected. Too many have died. Too many families have been torn apart. The horror of parents writing the names of their children on their limbs in case they are killed is indescribable. Where schools and homes once stood, we now have rubble. When there was hope, there is now pain. How will all these children grow up? Will they even have a chance at that? Will we be able to convince them of the value of hope over extremism? But our hearts must be big enough to care for all these children, all these innocent victims, and our minds must become big enough to give them hope of a real chance of a life of peace. In the immediate term, we must do more to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Vital aid must be able to get in. Innocent lives must be saved. Humanity must come first. And we have a role to play – Europe has a role to play. We must be able to end this. We can do that. Dear colleagues, it is also my sad duty to inform you of the death of Karel Schwarzenberg: a great European and a brilliant Czech statesman. Karl Schwarzenberg needs no introduction: as twice foreign minister of a post-Cold-War Czech Republic and one of former President Vaclav Havel’s closest advisers, he dedicated his life to public service and to bridging political divides. His work was central in building a new democratic foundation for the modern day Czech Republic. His legacy is one of endless struggle for peace, the construction of Europe and the democratic values that underpin our way of life. And for that he will always be remembered. (Applause)

We will vote now on Ms Hazekamp’s proposal on the debate. (Parliament rejected the proposal) Therefore the agenda remains unchanged. We have two final proposals for tomorrow, Thursday. The ECR Group has requested that Council and Commission statements on ‘the killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia’s occupying forces in Georgia’ be added in the morning. The statements would be wound up with a resolution to be voted at the next part-session. I give the floor to Anna Fotyga to move the request on behalf of the ECR.