Speeches

Madam President, thank you very much. Shut up and convert. That was the message to the persecuted Christians of the world from your left-wing liberals when, a year ago, you wanted to stop the European Parliament from mentioning the persecution of Christians. Here's what you said: You don't choose to become LGBTQI, but you choose your religion. Even though Christians suffer 80% of all religious discrimination, despite the spread of church attacks, from the Middle East to our continent, you choose to selectively ignore their suffering. Is it really the case that the good left-liberal heart is only open to, for example, LGBTIQ, which is mentioned ten times, or equality, which is mentioned seven times in this report? We Conservatives are now giving you another chance and calling on the EU to show solidarity with persecuted Christians. So support our request, because aren't your hearts so hardened that you want us to remain silent about children kidnapped for forced marriage, the murder of mentally disabled people accused of blasphemy, terrorist attacks and detention camps?

Madam President, thank you very much. The Council, the Commission and Parliament agree on five key areas that need to be addressed in the EU's relationship with Africa in order to stop illegal migration. addressing root causes, preventing irregular migration, combating trafficking in human beings, facilitating return and reintegration, and respecting international law; We all know that the current measures are inadequate. Hostile neighbors who have used migrants in hybrid warfare draw the same conclusions. Europe needs a new strategy. So why is it that when Denmark and their social democratic government launch a new proposal, the Danish asylum plan, which addresses the five key areas, including respect for the right to asylum, the EU institutions are trying to get in the way? 22,000 people have died in the Mediterranean since 2014 and Africa's population will rise from 1.3 billion to 4 billion by the end of this century. As long as you do not take the impression of Denmark, present a migration policy with popular support and start negotiating with African countries on this, illegal migration will continue and even more will die.

Madam President, thank you very much. Muslim children are torn from the womb and abducted at birth by Swedish authorities as part of a war against Islam. These lies are spread in channels with millions of followers of violent, Islamist organizations and influencers, criminal clan families and imams with terrorist connections, state-controlled, foreign media and radical imams at home; They spread the message further. What does it look like in reality? These children have been properly taken into care to protect them. Like the Mohammed cartoons, there is a real risk of violence and terrorist acts, while at the same time the exercise of Swedish authority risks being put out of jeopardy. The EEAS communication budget to address disinformation has doubled since 2002. Has the EU done anything at all to help Sweden in this situation?

Mr President, thank you very much. No one has asked why Alexander Lukashenko is conducting hybrid warfare against the EU, why he is using migrants as a weapon against us. Is it because he's unscrupulous? Yeah, yeah. Is it because people's lives mean nothing to him? Absolutely. But he has, of course, also made a thorough analysis of the counterpart, of the EU. In Minsk, various scenarios have certainly been drawn up, basing the analysis on past actions by the EU, statements by the Commission and by the left-liberal majority of the European Parliament. Lukashenko has seen how Commissioner Johansson, for example, condemned the Greek government when it tried to defend itself against the Turkish hybrid warfare against the country by not accepting asylum applications. She saw how the commissioners then went to Ankara to agree on an additional billions of European taxpayers' money for Erdoğan. You have seen the EU's priorities, how the EU would rather spend tens of millions on Clowns without Borders who will perform for newly arrived Afghans and Syrians in Sweden than on border barriers at the external border. It has seen how the EU calls illegal migration irregular, and it has drawn its conclusions. It is time for a turnaround in European migration policy. It is time to support Poland wholeheartedly, and a clear 'no' to illegal migration.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. Electricity prices are breaking records and energy poverty is spreading. Many families in Sweden have doubled their electricity bills. Recently, a shower cost SEK 56, i.e. almost EUR 6. What does the European Commission do? Well, then they want to extend emissions trading to fuel and heating of homes. Down here in Strasbourg, far from the reality of ordinary people, of course more money is being applauded for the European fund. No one here cares well about people at home in Sweden, who have to lower the heat when it's 20 degrees outside. No one here has experienced what -20 degrees means? 8000 SEK per year, this EU tax – for it was, what you call emissions trading – can mean for ordinary people. That you want to replace them with is 430 SEK. If you don't think this is going to get a reaction, just wait! And a call to the Democrats at home: Say no!

Mr President, Commissioner, this report from our ‘Swedish Open Border Brigade’ isn’t just out of touch with hard working Europeans, it’s completely detached from reality. It believes that illegal migration – quote – ‘requires the development of legal and safe migration pathways in order to reshape rather than prevent migration trends’. Considering that this report concerns low— and medium—skilled labour migration, that sounds like EU speak for legalising illegal migration. Is the European Parliament’s solution to Turkey and Morocco opening the floodgates? Let them in? To Belarus, weaponising migrants? Let them in? Now, hundreds of millions of people wish to come to Europe if given the opportunity. Such volumes will only exacerbate unemployment, stagnant wages, not to mention that migrants with incompatible cultures will bring about even less social cohesion. It’s not just last night in Sweden, it’s last night in Amsterdam, it’s last night in Paris. European leaders seem to have finally smelt the coffee. They realise that we’re losing control. President Michel has called for EU funding of external border barriers. President von der Leyen praised Greece for being Europe’s shield. Even Commissioner Johansson acknowledged that Lithuania’s border barrier is a good idea. We, conservatives, opposed this report. If you want to take back control, then you should too.

Madam President, ‘you Europeans care more about protecting endangered frogs than about us endangered Christians’ – these words were uttered to me when I met the Syrian Orthodox bishop of Mosul at the height of the ISIS offensive in Iraq. Of course, his community has sunk from 1.5 million to about 200 000 people in just 15 years. So, for him to see how the EU just stays passive and silent is a sheer provocation. It took the Commission two years to appoint a special envoy for religious freedom of belief, and now the position is again vacant. While we have experienced the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, the Rohingya in Myanmar, the Uyghurs in China, the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, how much more time will it take, Commissioner, before you appoint a special envoy?

– Mr President, it has been an honour and a pleasure as a Swede and democrat to steer this recommendation through Parliament as rapporteur. Thank you to all those who participated in today’s debate, which was conducted in the spirit of free speech, free thought and true democratic deliberation. Moreover, I’d like to thank the Commissioner for devoting her attention to this matter. Kommissær Vestager, det glæder mig, at De bemærkede den overvældende støtte til den stærke forbindelse med Taiwan. Let this Parliament and its unwavering support for strengthened ties between Europeans and the free Taiwanese people be your guide in this work, not least when you face the same kind of pressure from the Chinese Communist Party as the European Parliament did. Thank you, and let us now continue this work.

Madam President, I would like to thank all shadow rapporteurs for their excellent and positive cooperation. I believe that through our very constructive work we were able to present a report that will be supported by a large majority. Colleagues, this report is historic. It is the first time that the European Parliament discusses and votes on a comprehensive report that focuses solely on EU—Taiwan relations. The Parliament truly paved the way with this recommendation. While the Commission was formulating its Indo—Pacific strategy, the EP made its voice heard about the great importance it attaches to Taiwan’s inclusion in the EU’s policy towards the region. Dear High Representative, I would like to stress several points from the report that calls on you, on behalf of the EU, to put into action. Taiwan is a like—minded partner with whom Europe shares many common values. In a region where this is not always a given, in light of Taiwan’s robust democracy and technologically advanced economy, it is crucial that the EU and Taiwan pursue a comprehensive and enhanced partnership that underpins the rules—based order. Therefore, in order to prepare for negotiations to deepen our economic relations, the EU needs urgently to begin an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a bilateral investment agreement with the Taiwanese authorities. The EU must also more strongly condemn China’s continued military belligerence against Taiwan. We must stress the need for freedom of navigation and overflight in the East and South China Sea, as well as the importance of pursuing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Just a few weeks ago, China sent over 150 warplanes, including fighter jets and nuclear—capable bombers, into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. Despite China’s empty words seeking a peaceful reunification with Taiwan, such actions signal the contrary. Taiwan’s Defence Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, has stated that given the continuous and significant military build—up, China could be capable of mounting a full—scale invasion of Taiwan by 2025. Dear High Representative, the EU must condemn China’s action in the strongest possible terms and stress that China’s actions against Taiwan will have consequences for EU—China relations. The EU must, despite Chinese pressure, strongly advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation as an observer in meetings, mechanisms and activities of international bodies, including the World Health Organization. Let us not forget that while the Chinese Communist Party tried to deceive everyone, it was Taiwan that brought the COVID—19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, to the world’s attention. Dear High Representative, in order to better reflect the broadened scope of our ties with Taiwan we call on you to change the name of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan to the European Union Office in Taiwan. Dear colleagues, on behalf of the ECR, I would like to thank you once again for the excellent cooperation, and I look forward to today’s debate, a debate that will be conducted in the democratic tradition of Europe, despite the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to stop us from doing so.

Madam President, I congratulate rapporteur Vautmans on a good report. Now, the EU funded the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The purpose? A European virus archive, expressly aimed at, and I quote, ‘the production of viruses’. That is a fact. Those EU funds may have contributed to the dangerous gain-of-function research that could be the source of COVID-19. If the pandemic was indeed caused by a lab leak, ensuring this never ever happens again must be at the heart of our EU-China strategy. No more cover-ups. A full investigation. That is why this House should launch a special committee to examine the origins of COVID-19 and whether any EU funding provided to the Wuhan Institute directly or indirectly contributed to, or enabled, gain-of-function research.

Madam President, thank you very much. High Representative Borrell! Why don't you help us deport Afghan criminals? Why don't you want to help the Swedish people get rid of the serial rapist who last spring raped a disabled woman in Upplands Väsby, or the Afghans who gang raped a Swedish mother of small children all night at an asylum accommodation in Mariannelund? The Taliban have signalled their willingness to accept these Afghan criminals. But the return of Afghans is not at all in your five demands for Taliban contact. I'll give you a chance here and now: Promise now to the families of the victims that the EU will do everything in its power to send serial rapists and other offenders who do not have anything to do in Europe home.

Madam President, Commissioner, this is a dark period for the Iranian people, the people that, just like us, deserve to live in freedom, dignity and democracy. The recent sham elections are reason enough to act. But the fact that Mr Ebrahim Raisi was elected president makes action imperative. Mr Raisi has blood on his hands. He was a member of the death panel that ordered the executions of thousands of political prisoners. He must be investigated for crimes against humanity, including murder and forced disappearance and torture. As co-author of this resolution, I and the ECR Group support the use of the EU Magnitsky Act against Iranian officials. The ECR calls on the European institutions to join with international human rights organisations to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Finally, the EU must demand the immediate release of our fellow citizen, Dr Djalali. It’s a moral obligation. I’m therefore pleased the resolution calls for targeted sanctions on those involved in the arbitrary detention and sentencing to death of EU nationals. I urge you, Commissioner, to enforce the resolution with the utmost dedication and persistence.

Madam President, like ostriches, the left continues to bury their heads in the sand to avoid seeing all the plight and misery of open borders. This annual report on Schengen does not contain a single reference to terrorist attacks, migrants entering Europe illegally, drug smuggling, human trafficking or the organised crime groups from abroad that burglarise and terrorise Swedish homes and property owners. Are you really so ignorant now? Your ignorance, like the ostrich, with its head buried in the sand to avoid predators, is a myth. You do know what’s going on. To my centre-right colleagues, if you, especially those who claim to be tough on crime, vote for this report, then either you know but you don’t care, or your devotion to EU integration far surpasses your concern for your constituents.