Speeches

Dear colleagues, just before we welcome the Prime Minister, I want to take a moment to express the horror of the European Parliament at the terror attack in Brussels yesterday. At noon today I will make a short statement on this, with a round of speakers. I invite you all to be in the Chamber with us.

So we will vote on Mr Satouri’s title as including the word ‘Islamist’. I will read it out: ‘Council and Commission statements on the Islamist terrorist attack on French schools and the need to protect people and promote social cohesion’, without a resolution. This is by a show of hands. (Parliament agreed to the request) For Thursday, The Left Group has requested that the debate on the ‘European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Fur Free Europe’’ be wound up with a resolution to be voted at the next part-session. I give the floor to Ms Anja Hazekamp to move the request on behalf of The Left Group.

For Wednesday, The Left Group has requested that the title of the Council and Commission statements on ‘the despicable terrorist attacks of Hamas against Israel’ be changed into ‘the despicable terrorist attacks of Hamas against Israel, Israel’s threat of expulsion of 1.1 million Palestinians and allegations of Israeli war crimes in Gaza’. I give the floor to Mr Marc Botenga to move the request on behalf of The Left Group.

We now come to the order of business. The final draft agenda as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 12 October pursuant to Rule 157 has been distributed. First of all, with the agreement of the political groups, I wish to put to the House the following proposal for a change to the final draft agenda: the sitting on Wednesday will start at 8.30 in the morning. If there are no objections, this change is approved. I would ask that Members are present at 8.30 on Wednesday for this important start to the day. We now move to changes requested by political groups, starting with Tuesday. The Left Group has requested that Council and Commission statements on ‘War crimes and human rights violations perpetrated by Israel in Palestine’ be added as a point in the afternoon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00 and the statements would be wound up with a resolution. I give the floor to Mr Manu Pineda to move the request on behalf of The Left Group.

I would also like to inform you that, together with the President of the Council, I shall sign six acts on Wednesday adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure in accordance with Rule 79. The titles of the acts will be published in the minutes of this sitting. We now have two points of order.

I would also like to inform you that the laureate of the Sakharov prize for 2023 will be announced on Thursday, after the meeting of the Conference of Presidents, before the votes. The announcement will be preceded by the ringing of the bells. I would warmly invite you to be present in the Chamber for this important announcement.

The IMCO Committee has transmitted three corrigenda to several texts adopted by the Parliament. Pursuant to Rule 241(4), these corrigenda will be deemed approved unless, no later than 24 hours after their announcement, a request is made by a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold that they be put to the vote. The corrigenda are available on the Plenary webpage; their titles will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

The Greens Group has notified me of a decision relating to changes to appointments within a committee. This decision will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

Following the election of Agnès Evren and Yannick Jadot to the French Senate, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of their seats from 24 September 2023, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Following the nomination of Simone Schmiedtbauer to the Provincial Government of Styria, Austria, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of her seat from 17 October 2023, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. The competent authorities of France have notified me of the election of Laurence Sailliet and Lydie Massard to the European Parliament replacing respectively Agnès Evren and Yannick Jadot, with effect from 24 September 2023. I wish to welcome our new colleagues and recall that they take their seats in Parliament and its bodies in full enjoyment of their rights pending the verification of their credentials.

Today also marks six years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese investigative journalist who exposed corruption and organised crime. Daphne’s voice, her tenacity, her quest for truth, continues to live on – in her family, in civil society. It lives on in her colleagues who call for robust legal frameworks to protect journalists. And it continues to live on in the work of this House as we continue to pursue a Europe that respects the rule of law. This House remembers her and we honour her legacy.

Colleagues, today marks the tragic anniversary of Samuel Paty's death. Last Friday, as three years ago, once again, a teacher was murdered in a school in the French Republic. Dominique Bernard and Samuel Paty embodied our European values and freedoms. We are all in mourning. This must strengthen our determination to fight terrorism relentlessly and I wish to express, on behalf of the European Parliament, our solidarity with the victims and their loved ones.

Dear colleagues, this morning we have the pleasure of welcoming Petr Pavel, the President of Czechia, to the European Parliament. Thank you, President, for being here with us today. This House knows you as a steadfast supporter of European values, as a staunch proponent for better security and defence of our Union, as a strong voice for your country in Europe and the world. Like our European Parliament, you have led in condemning Russia’s illegal and brutal military invasion of Ukraine and remained a crucial pillar of support. Czechia knows only too well the level of threat we face and how critical it is for the international community to stand as one against oppression and autocracy. Last year, the Czech Presidency was the driver of ground-breaking legislation and reform – and I will always be proud of what we have managed to achieve together in this Parliament; we have shown people that we can deliver. Next June, the European Parliament elections will see the greatest exercise in direct democracy on the continent. We need the people of Europe, including those in Czechia, to voice their opinion on their vision for the future of Europe and to hold this Union to account. We must continue to build a Europe that represents our values of democracy, unity and of hope for all. I know that together we will manage this. So on that note, Mr President, allow me to thank you for your strong voice, your personal engagement and your country’s commitment to our joint European project. The floor is yours.

Colleagues, today also marks 33 years since the Day of German Unity – Today marks the coming together of East and West Germany to reunify the people of Germany. It made Germany whole and erased a scar that blemished all of Europe. It sowed the seeds of the next step of European integration. It was a watershed moment in European history that symbolised freedom, transformation and hope. It showed the world that people are able to come together despite the obstacles. This day stands as an annual reminder of our responsibility to our values, to our people and to our perseverance. So we remember and we honour the legacy that we have inherited. (Applause) I will now give the floor to Clare Daly, who has asked to make a point of order.

Is there anybody who would like to speak against this request? I don’t see that to be the case and therefore put the request to a vote by roll call. (Parliament approved the request) There will therefore be a resolution at the next part-session. For Tuesday as well, The Left Group has requested that Council and Commission statements on ‘The 10th consecutive increase in reference interest rates decided by the ECB and its consequences’ be added as the last item in the afternoon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to João Pimenta Lopes to move the request on behalf of The Left Group.