Speeches

Dear colleagues, since we are going quite fast – with the focus on the word ‘quite’ – we don’t need to postpone any votes, so we continue straight to the Incir report.

Of course, we always invite the President of the European Council to discuss the European Council but, as you know, there is a NATO summit at the moment in Vilnius, and that is why both the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission are present there.

Dear colleagues, today marks the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. A day that will live in infamy. An ethnic cleansing campaign that saw nearly 30 000 people forcibly expelled and the brutal murder of over 8 000 people – mostly Muslim men and boys who had sought safety in the Srebrenica enclave. Atrocities so barbaric that they are almost unspeakable, and yet we must speak. We speak to remember the victims. We speak to warn the world of what has happened so that it may never happen again. The genocide of Srebrenica will forever haunt us. 28 years later, we are witnessing increasing genocide denial, more false narratives and more glorification of war criminals. It is our duty to speak out against it, to remind the world of a truth that cannot be denied. Last weekend, we marked 500 days since Russia launched its full-scale military invasion on independent and sovereign Ukraine. A war that has brought to light the cruelty of Putin’s regime, and the return of war crimes and atrocities to our continent. The European Parliament will never turn a blind eye to war crimes. This is how we ensure that nothing like the Srebrenica genocide ever happens again. So on this solemn day, the European Parliament pays tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and reiterates its solidarity with all the families of all the victims, many of whom are yet to be identified. Nek im je rahmet dushi i laka zemlja bosanska* _______________ * ‘May they have mercy on their souls and may they have light Bosnian earth’

Does any colleague want to speak against this request? No? Then we vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) The agenda therefore remains unchanged. The agenda is adopted and the order of business is thus established.

Now we move to the changes to the agenda. For Wednesday, the ID Group has requested that a Commission statement on ‘The continuing repression of the democratic opposition in Germany, particularly remarks by the President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution’ be added as the seventh item in the afternoon, before the debates on breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to Christine Anderson to move the request on behalf of the ID Group.

The S&D and The Left Groups have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

I have also received a request from the competent authorities in Greece for the parliamentary immunity of Georgios Kyrtsos to be waived. This request is referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs.

Following the resignations of Álvaro Amaro and Peter van Dalen, and on the proposal of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Parliament takes note, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, of the vacancy of their seats from 7 July and 4 September 2023 respectively, and will inform the national authorities concerned thereof. The competent authorities of Germany have notified me of the election of Thomas Rudner to the European Parliament, replacing Ismail Ertug with effect from 3 July 2023. The competent authorities of Portugal have notified me of the election of Carlos Coelho to the European Parliament, replacing Álvaro Amaro with effect from 7 July 2023. I would like to welcome these two 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.

The minutes and the texts adopted of the sitting of 15 June are available. Are there any comments? That does not seem to be the case, therefore the minutes are approved.

Before proceeding to the votes, I would like to send greetings from our Assembly to Émilie and Baptiste, who are among us thanks to two telepresence robots, and to Ms Brigitte Macron, who accompanies them as sponsor of the French TED-i programme. This programme allows children with long-term illnesses to continue to go to school and stay connected with their teachers and classmates through interactive telepresence robots. Émilie, Baptiste, Madame Macron, I welcome you.

Dear colleagues, today we are joined by President Vjosa Osmani—Sadriu of Kosovo. President Osmani, thank you for accepting our invitation to address the European Parliament. Dear President, we know full well of Kosovo’s commitment to a European path and I know your commitment to ensure the necessary conditions to advance down this path continue to be implemented in earnest. Let me say at the outset that we are grateful for your support in providing shelter to Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s illegal invasion and your support in aligning with us on sanctions. We must keep standing with Ukraine. This House stood with you when it seemed impossible, and I think we can all recognise just how far Kosovo has come. The journey towards visa-free travel has been an arduous one. But together we can be proud now, that by 1 January next year, Kosovo citizens will be granted this freedom too. Democracy, freedom of expression and the rule of law are all fundamental values that this House of Parliament stands by, vociferously. We are well aware of the challenges and consequences that recent events in your country can have on stability in the region, and the continuous need for the European Union to keep underlining the benefits of de-escalation and cooperation over confrontation. Kosovo’s journey continues and this House welcomes your country’s endeavour to tackle challenges head on, by the need for resolute and immediate steps to calm tensions, to cooperate with international partners, with our Member States, and investing in cross-border projects and partnerships. This Parliament wants to hear from the people of Kosovo on how best to create economic prosperity, opportunity, long—term stability and progress in your region. Let us continue our constructive dialogue, to ensure tangible results for us all. Madam President, dear Vjosa, you have the floor.

Dear colleagues, good morning. Today we have the pleasure of welcoming Nikos Christodoulides, the president of Cyprus, to Strasbourg. Thank you, dear Nikos, for being here with us today as part of our ‘This is Europe’ series of debates to discuss our common agenda for Europe’s future. It is testimony to your commitment as President and to Cyprus’ commitment to Europe, as the European Union continues to face unprecedented challenges on multiple fronts. Cyprus will play an important and strategic role in Europe’s energy solution, in ensuring that the Mediterranean remains a sea of peace and prosperity and in pushing Europe forward – in showing that it is the size of ideas that matters more than geography. Together, I know that we can find solutions to intergenerational questions. There is room to build trust. Cyprus’ solidarity with Turkey after the earthquakes of last February was proof of that. And dear Nikos, let me be clear: you will not be left alone. Your challenges are Europe’s too. This is not just a Cyprus question, but a Europe question. The first thing that I said in this House when I was entrusted to lead it was to tell Cyprus that you are not alone. That Europe will never be complete as long as Cyprus remains divided. That we can use the power of Europe to find solutions and ways forward. This is why this European Parliament will continue to support our shared ambition to see the reunification of your island under the auspices of the UN peace plan. If Cyprus has taught Europe anything throughout history, it is that the future is full of possibility. We all look forward to building a European future together with Cyprus. Dear President, dear Nikos, the floor is yours.

Does anybody want to speak against? I don’t see that to be the case. I will put the request to the vote by roll call. (The House rejected the request) Therefore the agenda remains unchanged. The agenda is adopted and the order of business is thus established. Have a nice afternoon. (The sitting was suspended at 17.32)

OK, thank you. Does anybody want to speak against these proposals? No? Then we vote on the Greens’ request by roll call. (The House rejected the request) So then we vote on Mr Scholz’s proposal. Mr Scholz, do you want to keep your proposal? You do. Then we vote on The Left Group proposal by roll call. (The House rejected the request) Therefore the agenda is not changed. For Wednesday, The Left Group has requested that Council and Commission statements on ‘The situation of Julian Assange and his possible extradition to the US’ be added as the seventh item in the afternoon. The debate on the statements would be wound up with a resolution. I give the floor to João Pimenta Lopes to move the request.

I put the ID Group’s original request to the vote by roll call. (The House rejected the request) The Greens/EFA Group has requested that the Commission statement on ‘Mercosur – additional instrument on sustainability and legal architecture’ be added as the third item in the afternoon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to Yannick Jadot to move the request.