25
Apr
2024
Watch
Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews (debate)
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Union is already struggling to function with 27 Member States, it will have even more if it enlarges to new members. Balkan states are mostly unstable, when they are not gangrene by the mafia, like Albania. One of them, Kosovo, is not even recognised by some of the 27 EU Member States. In its Communication, the Commission recognises that some of its policies will need to be reformed before further enlargement takes place. But "reforming" is a euphemism, I would rather say "bouleverser". The accession of Ukraine, an agricultural giant, will, for example, lead to the disappearance of the common agricultural policy, as the current Commissioner for Agriculture has honestly acknowledged. Today, I am making my last speech in plenary. Until the end, I would have warned you about the consequences of your crazy decisions. It will be up to my successors, in a significantly strengthened Identity and Democracy Group, to continue my efforts. I pass the baton on to them with confidence, because in our democracies, the will of the people always ends up imposing itself.