What Michaela spoke about.

6

Feb

2024

CS Question

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Conclusions of the European Council meetings, in particular the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 (debate)

Thank you for the opportunity to ask a question, Mr. Vilimsky. You said you wanted peace. Do you believe that Putin will stop attacking Ukraine? Do you believe that Putin will leave Ukraine if Ukraine stops defending itself? You don't think anyone wants peace here? We want peace in Ukraine, but we support Ukraine in defending itself. Do you trust Putin? Please answer me. Do you trust Putin when yo…

17

Jan

2024

CS Speech

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Transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations funded from the EU budget (A9-0446/2023 - Markus Pieper)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I supported the report on the transparency and accountability of NGOs financed by the EU budget, and let me give you a few reasons. The European Parliament acknowledges the role of non-profit organisations and has called on the Commission to further simplify and streamline the procedure for applying for EU funds. NO today also connects civil society and the p…

17

Jan

2024

CS Speech

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Implementation of the Treaty provisions on EU citizenship (A9-0436/2023 - Maite Pagazaurtundúa)

Madam President, let me explain my vote, in which I abstained precisely on the report on the implementation of the provisions of the Treaty on citizenship of the European Union. This citizenship of the European Union has been a part of us for more than 30 years. The report analyses existing problems and legislation on citizenship of the European Union. I very much appreciate the European Parliamen…

17

Jan

2024

CS Speech

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Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law (B9-0062/2024)

Madam President, let me express my satisfaction that the European Parliament has adopted a clear statement and resolution on what is happening in Slovakia, concerning government activities, planning the dissolution of key anti-corruption units in Slovakia and its consequences for the rule of law. The European Parliament called on the Slovak Government to reconsider these amendments in light of the…

17

Jan

2024

EN Speech

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Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

– Madam President, ... Commissioner, dear colleagues, first of all, I would like to thank all colleagues for excellent cooperation over this important resolution. Thank you. The last decade for Tajikistan meant a continuous decline of media freedom. Journalists were sentenced and journalism has become a dangerous job. Now, the media’s freedom is reported to be in its worst state since 1991. Seven …

17

Jan

2024

CS Answer

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Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece (debate)

I believe it is my colleague's right to have his case investigated. He has spoken about this and, of course, it is unacceptable for me – even if it is a government that is a member of the EPP – to take steps that are against Greek law. My colleague has the right to defend himself and I respect his right and I believe that in the rule of law his right will be fulfilled. That's all I can tell you.…

17

Jan

2024

CS Speech

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Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece (debate)

Madam President, I am speaking here because I don't care how the European Parliament talks about Greece, a country that has had to deal with a major economic and migration crisis. I have great respect for Greek citizens, for the non-profit sector, and also for the Greek government, its prime minister, for the work they have done to protect against illegal migration, but also for those who have had…

17

Jan

2024

CS Speech

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Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, two years have passed since the Commission communication on extending the list of European Union crimes to include these speeches, but the Council has not yet responded, while hate speech, hate speech and calls for hatred, violence and hatred are increasingly being encountered, especially on social media. That's why I don't think there's anything to wait for. I belie…

17

Jan

2024

CS Speech

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Improving the socio-economic situation of farmers and rural areas, ensuring fair incomes, food security as well as a just transition (debate)

Madam President, it is time to thank farmers for the fact that we have something to eat every day, and also for the fact that they are the ones who ensure food security for the future. We are aware of the problems they face. In order to ensure food security and the interest of the young generation to work in agriculture, we need to address the challenges, the socio-economic impacts they face, in p…

15

Jan

2024

EN Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Mr President, dear colleagues, I want to comment on the last development in the deportation of Ukrainian children – because on 4 January, President Putin signed a decree to simplify further granting Russian citizenship to Ukrainians, including children. This is another of Putin’s attempts to eradicate the Ukrainian people and steal their future children. Through this decree, Ukrainian children can…

14

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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Ensuring proper functioning of EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, colleagues, I am addressing you both as a representative of citizens and as a representative of farmers who feel threatened. At the same time, I want to make it clear that we stand behind Ukraine's support so far and we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. The concept of the Solidarity Corridor is based on the idea of creating new transport links, cor…

13

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy (RC-B9-0500/2023, B9-0500/2023, B9-0501/2023, B9-0502/2023, B9-0504/2023, B9-0505/2023, B9-0506/2023)

Mr President, last but not least, enlargement is one of the most effective and successful instruments of EU foreign policy. Thirty years on, the Copenhagen criteria are as up-to-date as ever. They include respect for democracy, the rule of law, human rights and a functioning market economy. The resolution calls on the European Council, at its meeting on 14 and 15 December 2023, to decide to open a…

13

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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EU-China relations (A9-0375/2023 - Hilde Vautmans)

Mr President, like my colleague Polčák, I supported this recommendation to the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs in EU-China relations policy. This policy should be based on the principles of working together where possible, competing where necessary and confronting where necessary. Our recommendation contains three challenges. First, China's involvement…

13

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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European Health Data Space (A9-0395/2023 - Tomislav Sokol, Annalisa Tardino)

Mr President, today we adopted amendments to the regulation on the European Health Data Space. I was happy to support this first ever proposal for a common health data space. The primary use of this data is intended to improve users' access to and control over their personal electronic health data. Secondary use of this data will then support research, innovation, policy-making, preparedness and r…

13

Dec

2023

EN Speech

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The abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, lately our attention has been directed mainly towards the deportation of Ukrainian children and their re-education in camps. However, Tibetan children are also suffering at the hands of the repressive policies of the government of the People’s Republic of China. Around 1 million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and put into th…

13

Dec

2023

EN Speech

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The Maasai Communities in Tanzania

Madam President, dear colleagues, for years the indigenous people have been fighting for their rights in Tanzania. The Maasai are continuously being pushed out of their ancestral land. Since 2009, the government has used a range of abusive tactics to displace about150 000 people across the Ngorongoro District. On 22 June, the Tanzanian authorities deprived more than 90 000 people of access to graz…

13

Dec

2023

EN Speech

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The unknown status of Mikalai Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarusian politicians’ and activists’ family members

Madam President, dear colleagues, again we call for the release of political prisoners in Belarus as 1 500 persons have been imprisoned in the pursuit of Belarusian democracy. They are facing trials behind closed doors, on trumped up charges and in inhuman conditions. One of them is Mikalai Statkevich, a former presidential candidate imprisoned for 14 years. For the last nine months, neither his f…

13

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law (continuation of debate)

Madam President, Slovak friends and citizens, you are not alone in this, as Ivan Štefanec said. We're here with you. Corruption, populism, extremism, they do not avoid any country, and you have stood up to them. You stood up to them in the last election when you drove Fico and his people out of the institutions in response to the murder of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée. I'm half Slovak, I'm proud of …

13

Dec

2023

CS Question

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Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law (continuation of debate)

Mr. Colleague, I want to ask you when you say that the Special Prosecutor's Office is so bad and President Fico was obviously planning to abolish it. I mean, did he have it on the posters? Did Prime Minister Fico have in his election program that he would reduce the penalties for corruption? I didn't see it. I travel through Slovakia, I have friends and family there. I didn't hear anywhere that he…

12

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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Environmental consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the need for accountability (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, the worst thing about Russian aggression is, of course, the loss of human lives, the suffering of people, but environmental pollution, the destruction of water resources, soil, that is a loss not only for this generation, but also for future generations. And Russia must know that these losses will be counted and that Russia will pay them. The destruction of the Kachovka…

12

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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Parliament’s call for the right to disconnect - three years on (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, this debate today builds on the debate that took place in the European Parliament and on the proposal of the European Parliament, which called for the directive to be tabled in January 2021. At the time, we were dealing with the consequences of COVID-19, but not only that. Digital technologies are simply becoming the main working tool in many professions. And, of course…

12

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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EU-Taiwan trade and investment relations (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, it is at this critical time that we need to build partnerships with partners who are democratic and who are reliable, and Taiwan is such a partner. They share with us the values and commitments of human rights. We appreciate his help in times of COVID-19 crisis, as well as the coordination in support of Ukraine and the coordination of sanctions against Russia. Despite t…

11

Dec

2023

CS Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Madam President, I would like to use this one-minute speech to comment on the decision of the International Olympic Committee to include Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This decision is disappointing. It is disappointing for those who see the suffering of the Ukrainian nation, who see Russian aggression, which is also subject to athletes. More than 200 athletes wer…

22

Nov

2023

CS Speech

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Proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties (A9-0337/2023 - Guy Verhofstadt, Sven Simon, Gabriele Bischoff, Daniel Freund, Helmut Scholz)

Madam President, today I voted against the proposed amendments to the Treaties. I am in favour of the integration of a European Union that is gradual, transparent and negotiated with citizens. The proposals voted on today lead to a significant deepening of integration and a weakening of Member States' competences. And as I said, they were not completely discussed with the citizens. I simply cannot…

22

Nov

2023

CS Speech

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Packaging and packaging waste (A9-0319/2023 - Frédérique Ries)

Madam President, I want to explain why I supported the proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste, because it is important. We don't want to die one day under tons of waste that is multiplying. For example, 1.33 million tonnes of waste were placed on the market in the Czech Republic alone in 2021. At the same time, waste and these packaging have a very short life cycle, or it is no…