What Michaela spoke about.

12

Sep

2023

CS Speech

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Ukrainian grain exports after Russia’s exit from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, we all support Ukraine and we do not want Putin to continue to benefit from this situation. I would now like to address the PiS colleagues who have spoken here, Mr Kuźmiuk. I would ask you not to label my colleagues, Polish colleagues from Civic Platform, for some Russian narrative. They are the ones who are fighting and supporting Ukraine and supporting solidarity with…

11

Sep

2023

EN Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, today I want to raise awareness and ask you to sign and share our petition. We have a lunch today with colleague Ivan Štefanec. We would like to ask you to support this petition regarding the ban for Russian and Belarussian athletes from the 2024 Olympic Games. It was the European Parliament which made this call to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in th…

12

Jul

2023

EN Speech

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India, the situation in Manipur

Mr President, dear colleagues, Madam Commissioner, the recent violent clashes between Meiteis and Kukis have caused widespread devastation. Over 50 000 people, including a significant number of Christians, have been displaced and lives have been lost. Numerous religious symbols and places of worship have been targeted, with more than 220 churches burnt or damaged. We urge the Indian authorities to…

12

Jul

2023

CS Speech

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular the recent developments in the war against Ukraine and in Russia (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I agree with the Council's conclusions precisely that Ukraine needs our help to defend its freedom and security for us too. But this debate is about what is in the Council conclusions and what is missing in them. And I want to focus on two things. In particular, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised an international conference at the highest level t…

10

Jul

2023

EN Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Madam President, dear colleagues, a mere month ago we called for justice, demanding the termination of proceedings and the release of Tihran and Mykyta, two Ukrainian boys who faced unspeakable brutality at the hands of Russian authorities. They endured beatings and were subjected to electroshock torture. Despite our efforts, these boys are no longer alive. Russian soldiers shot them. Their lives …

14

Jun

2023

CS Speech

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Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture (A9-0185/2023 - Marlene Mortler)

Mr President, colleagues, the resolution on food security and the long-term resilience of agriculture in the European Union is not only important for farmers, but certainly also for consumers, because every citizen wants to be sure that he can buy affordable, high-quality food. No one can do that but farmers. In the end, this resolution has gained a fairly large majority, and let me emphasise just…

14

Jun

2023

CS Speech

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Batteries and waste batteries (A9-0031/2022 - Achille Variati)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, today I supported the regulation on batteries and waste batteries. This is mainly an update of the rules for the design, production and waste management of all types of batteries sold in the European Union. I supported this position precisely because it is another step in strengthening European competitiveness. Among the main points of this regulation are, for e…

14

Jun

2023

CS Speech

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Artificial Intelligence Act (A9-0188/2023 - Brando Benifei, Dragoş Tudorache)

Mr President, colleagues, let me explain why I voted in favour of the regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence. This adopted act lays down harmonised rules for the development, placing on the market and use of AI systems in the European Union based on a proportionate and risk-based approach. Under the Regulation, certain AI systems such as social scoring, predictive polic…

14

Jun

2023

EN Speech

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Torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation

Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to first thank all Shadow Rapporteurs and advisors for their excellent cooperation and for reaching a strong resolution on the victims of Russia’s war crimes. On 24 May 2023, two teenage boys, Tihran and Mykyta, were charged by the investigative committee of the Russian Federation with allegedly planning sabotage on the railway in Berdyansk. Even thou…

14

Jun

2023

CS Speech

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Surrogacy in the EU - risks of exploitation and commercialisation (topical debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, we are debating today the sensitive issue of surrogacy, in the context of concerns about its misuse, particularly for commercial purposes. It is clear that Member States are looking for a good solution and are far from united. While some Member States allow surrogacy for non-commercial, altruistic purposes, such as Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, …

13

Jun

2023

CS Speech

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Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, every citizen wants to be sure that he can buy affordable, high-quality food, and that is not guaranteed by anyone other than farmers. That is why I want to thank our colleague, author Marlene Mortler, who has clearly stood up for farmers. Farmers need our support to do everything from producing healthy food to protecting soil and water. In this…

12

Jun

2023

EN Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe published on 4 May a report on a mission to address the Deportation of Children amidst Human Rights Violations and Humanitarian Impacts of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Thanks to the three participating experts, including Czech professor Veronika Bílková. The findings confirm the regime’s atroc…

10

May

2023

EN Speech

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Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi

Mr President, Mr Commissioner, dear colleagues, Algeria is among the world’s worst countries in terms of press freedom – ranked 136 out of the 180. The press situation in Algeria has been in decline since 1992. However, the recent adoption of new media law and the detention of Ihsane El Kadi escalated the situation to the extreme. Freedom of expression and other fundamental rights should not be pl…

10

May

2023

CS Speech

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Fighting cyberbullying of young people across the EU (debate)

Mr President, colleagues, cyberbullying is a form of violence that destroys lives and kills. This definition should also lead to new European legislation, as it was Jackie Fox who opened the way. Thank you, Jackie for being here. Thank you for your testimony. I want to assure you that we won't give up either. Just like you didn't give up. Your law, which you enforced in Ireland, Coco’s law, is exa…

10

May

2023

CS Speech

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Ukrainian cereals on the European market (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, yesterday, with a large majority of 537 votes in the European Parliament, we approved the continuation of trade liberalisation for Ukraine in commodities, wheat, rapeseed, sunflower and maize. We want these commodities to continue to be exported from Ukraine, because this is important both for Ukrainian farmers and for third countries that need these goods. B…

10

May

2023

CS Speech

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The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector (continuation of debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it is farmers who are affected by climate change, and that is why farmers are the main actors implementing a number of measures, be it carbon farming, regenerative farming, all those measures that combat climate change and which are also tools for sustainable agriculture. This is now a regulation on the reduction of the use of pesticides, which I believe should …

9

May

2023

CS Speech

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Start of the European Year of skills (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, it is Europe Day and today marks the start of the European Year of Skills. It is no coincidence that we chose this topic. Our aim is to promote the interest and involvement of citizens in lifelong learning and to improve skills, especially where they are insufficient, in the field of digital technologies. We know that one in three working people…

8

May

2023

CS Speech

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Schools scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products (short presentation)

Mr President, thank you to the rapporteur for her report. The European Union's school milk, fruit and vegetables programme is very promising. The fact that it is not sufficiently used in some Member States does not mean that we should not support it further. On the contrary. I agree that there should be simplification, the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles and an increase in the budget…

19

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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The crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa

Mr President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, it has been only five months since our last debate on Afghanistan. Sadly, we must address this issue again since women’s persecution continues. It is a shame that women in Afghanistan cannot basically travel without a male companion, but they are also denied the fundamental right to education beyond the primary level. I invite you to look into the …

19

Apr

2023

CS Speech

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Keeping people healthy, water drinkable and soil liveable: getting rid of forever pollutants and strengthening EU chemical legislation now (topical debate)

Madam President, I think we all agree that health protection is our priority. We need to move forward in line with new technologies and research. In relation to the general strengthening of the European Union chemicals legislation, I would like to point out that one of the most important roles in maintaining human health, drinking water and viable soils is played by farmers. And it is the farmers …

19

Apr

2023

CS Speech

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Children forcibly deported from Ukraine and the ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin (debate)

Mr President, the arrest warrant for Putin and Marija Alexeyevna Lvova-Belova is an important step towards punishing a crime. I want to thank all those who contribute financially and with all means to the investigation of Russian crimes, because it is a clear signal that these crimes will one day be punished. What we can or must do: We need to do more because every day for these kidnapped and russ…

18

Apr

2023

CS Speech

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Sustainable carbon cycles (A9-0066/2023 - Alexander Bernhuber)

Madam President, today I supported the report on sustainable carbon cycles, which does not yet introduce new legislation, but is actually the European Parliament's position on the European Commission's intention to set certain rules to incentivise and reward farmers who would voluntarily engage in farming towards sustainable practices and the promotion of biodiversity. We highlight the opportunity…

18

Apr

2023

CS Speech

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Social Climate Fund (A9-0157/2022 - David Casa, Esther de Lange)

Madam President, I would like to explain why I supported this establishment of the Social Climate Fund. This fund is directly linked to the revision of the allowance trading system and will therefore benefit households, businesses and transport users who could be affected precisely by the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport, precisely from the scope of the new r…

18

Apr

2023

CS Speech

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Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (A9-0162/2022 - Peter Liese)

Madam President, let me explain why I voted today in favour of the revision of the European Union Emissions Trading System. This system is a carbon market based on a cap-and-trade system in energy-intensive industries and power generation sectors. It is the main instrument by which the European Union seeks to reduce emissions. It covers around 40% of total CO2 emissions in the European Union and s…

18

Apr

2023

CS Speech

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Question Time (Commission) - Legacy of the European Year of Youth

Mr President, thank you for giving me the floor. Commissioner, I would like to thank you for your commitment, your understanding of the European Year of Youth and also for today's debate, for your answers. I believe that the participation of young people who have participated in the regions, but also here in various events, has shown that young people are interested, know what they want and are ab…