Speeches

Mr President, the future of European tourism must be built on sustainability, inclusion and continuous renewal. We are known worldwide as a safe, fascinating and responsible travel destination, but this position is not self-evident. You have to earn it over and over again. Today's tourists look forward to experiences that respect the local nature and culture. They prefer sustainable tourism and choose destinations and services that leave as little carbon footprint as possible. In this context, EU-supported sustainable tourism projects have played a key role. They will boost the vitality of the regions and strengthen Europe's brand. This work needs to be continued. Tourism has been shaken by geopolitical crises, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Finland, for example, we have to look for sources of income from tourism elsewhere as tourists disappear from certain areas. Tackling bold new ideas and investing in security is more important than ever to keep Europe the number one destination for tourists.

Mr President, the use of rape as a weapon of war is the lowest evil in humanity. In Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and many other places, children and women in particular have been the victims of systematic sexual violence. In war-torn areas, the most vulnerable people are often the most oppressed. This is a cruelty to which the EU must respond decisively. We must ensure that international actors have sufficient resources to combat, prevent and assist the victims of these tragic crimes. EU leadership is measured in action. We need to increase support for specific programmes in crisis areas to combat sexual violence and strengthen legal protection. Every victim has to be something other than a number in the statistics. This is a test of our humanity. We need to do better and act now.

Madam President, the recent cable damage in the Baltic Sea is a concrete reminder of how vulnerable our critical infrastructure really is. The EU must be a united and active actor in order to prevent hybrid influence in the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea littoral states, especially Finland, are extremely dependent on functioning connections to the sea. The majority of imports to Finland are brought through the Baltic Sea, and Finland is practically completely dependent on maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea and the infrastructure located there. Eight of the European Union Member States are geographically connected in the Baltic Sea. This is therefore a significant issue for the EU, and it should clearly be considered one of the security policy priorities. Security changes in the Baltic Sea will cause extensive changes in all EU Member States, so securing it is in the interest of the entire EU. The new Commission should actively implement this, as the price we pay if the security situation in the Baltic Sea is jeopardised is too high.

Mr President, Europe is made up of the Member States and its citizens. Without the trust of our citizens, without our mutual trust, we are quickly on the brink of nothing. It is clear that we need a wide range of solutions, action at many different levels, ranging from strengthening defence capabilities to stronger action on climate change. But strengthening our citizens is the backbone of our preparedness: education, dissemination of information, strengthening of competence, crisis awareness and preparedness for various threats, media skills, filtering of information. We're being influenced all the time. Crisis preparedness starts with all of us. We build trust, we are ready to listen to each other and seek solutions, because we all know how to create problems. Future generations deserve more, which is why we are expected to be more cooperative and more able to solve issues instead of building problems.

Mr President, the cycle of years of vengeance, the constant killing and the search for justification for indiscriminate violence. The tension has a long history for many generations, and unfortunately there is no end. A dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation also threatens to fuel uncontrolled regional escalation that is not in anyone's interest. Bystander victims always pay the highest price through the loss of their lives or health. Actions and attacks are becoming more widespread and cruel. Assassinations, threats, terrorist operations, organised crime, whose links are more challenging for authorities to detect in time to prevent attacks. Women and girls, sexual and gender minorities and ethnic and religious minorities face systematic discrimination and violence. The human rights situation, the persecution of dissidents and the pursuit of political opponents, including executions, demonstrate the government's readiness to violate international law in order to protect its own interests. We need international cooperation and decisive action to hold those responsible accountable.

Mr President, in mid-October China began its fourth large-scale military exercise around Taiwan in two years. According to the Chinese military, the military exercises focus on, among other things, combat readiness at sea and in the air, as well as the blockade of major ports and areas. In addition, the topic of the exercise is attacks on land and sea targets. A spokesman for the military said the exercise served as a serious warning to Taiwanese forces. Taiwan's Ministry of Defence condemned China's military exercise and said it had sent its own troops to the region. Having followed defence policy for a long time, I have taken the view that China has regarded Taiwan as an area of its own for a long time and has not ruled out the possibility of using force to gain control of the island. I also see here a certain connection with Russia and Ukraine. Slowly, the use of force grew and expanded, and my concern is that China will follow the Russian model if the international community does not intervene more strongly.

Mr President, the Single European Sky has a long history. The objective is to reduce delays, increase safety, mitigate environmental impacts and reduce costs related to the provision of services in the aviation sector. Reducing the fragmentation of European airspace through a more efficient air traffic management system is more than necessary. Although the policy has progressed, the SES has not been able to fully achieve the progress expected from it. As a result, European airspace remains regrettably fragmented, expensive, inefficient and capacity problems persist due to rapidly growing air traffic. So the work must continue, we cannot stand still. The current regulatory framework is a long-term work. A wide range of actors have been involved. It has involved a variety of twists and turns such as the historical fires, the battles that the United Kingdom and Spain, among others, fought at the time, for example with regard to Gibraltar. When Brexit removed this obstacle, the Commission has changed its original proposal, and that is a good thing. Member States need extensive cooperation and coordination in functional airspace blocks, including after the establishment of the Single European Sky regulatory framework. This act recognises the value of existing cooperation arrangements in enhancing airspace management and optimising air traffic flows in specific geographical areas. In transport in general, but in air transport in particular, the safety aspect is emphasised, and therefore any change must necessarily take the safety aspect first. Safety first! And I always have to say hello to my wonderful combat partner Marinescu. And my dearest greetings also to the British Jodie Foster, who cannot be forgotten by this house. I wish I had videotaped the best pieces for the new decision makers. Piccolino, magnifico, amato David Sassoli.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, no declaration or agreement becomes a reality other than by doing so. At the heart of it all is peace. In Europe, we have too easily forgotten the roots of peace: The work that previous generations tirelessly did to make it safe for us to live. Peace is not a self-evident thing that just stays without the makers, the mediators, the builders and the solvers. At the same time, our planet is at war in the Middle East, Ukraine, Africa and many other regions. The geopolitical situation is very fragile. How have we let things get to the point where we don't fit into the same ground as humans? How we let greed and selfishness take over everywhere. Human hatred, hate speech and the spiral of revenge that has continued for generations must continue. Genocide is happening before our eyes and we are spreading our hands. What would Spinelli, Schuman, Weil and many other builders of a united Europe and a world of peace say to us today? They saw the traces of bloody history, human hatred. They fought to end the horrors of the world wars and to promote peace and solidarity. They defended the fundamental values on which the EU relies: freedom, democracy, equality of value, human dignity, human rights, respect for the rule of law, solidarity and the protection of all in society. We owe it to future and past generations to make Europe a real peace-builder again.

Madam President, the Venezuelan Government must publish the polling‑ station‑specific results and all the evidence that enables democratic control. As long as the democratic nature of the elections cannot be ensured, the Venezuelan leadership cannot be considered legitimate. When domestic and external observers can be convinced of the honesty of the election result, all the people at home and abroad must commit to the election result and give the actors peace to work. I expressed deep concern about the situation of instability created in Venezuela in the aftermath of the vote, the deaths and arrests resulting from the tensions, the state authorities' repression, the risk of a resurgence of political violence and repression in the country, and the potential violation of human rights. I demand that those found guilty under fair trials of human rights violations be held accountable and answer to justice for victims. I demand the EU Commission, the HR/VP and the Member States to facilitate a mediation that will contribute to the solution of the political, social and economic crisis in which Venezuela is living.