Speeches

Madam President, dear colleagues, taking the floor under Rule 164, and while appreciating our Wednesday debate on the need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, let me draw your attention to the great action which happened last weekend once the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian energy was finally synchronised with the European continental energy ring. And this is the way we have to go and streamline, cutting down our decades‑long dependencies with eastern countries and synchronising into the single market, whatever it takes, economic, energy or whatever. So, our talk on Wednesday will be about this, about achievements and what we can do together.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the mullah's regime in Iran survives at the cost of endless repression. Iran's courts have become a place for handling down long prison and death sentences. The confessions of prisoners and detainees are extracted through psychological and physical pressure and torture. Last year was bloody in Iran, with over 900 executions. We continue to call for a halt of the executions of Pakhshan Azizi, Wrisha Moradi, Behrouz Ehsani, Mehdi Hassani and at least 54 other political prisoners on death row. We also call for the release of dozens EU citizens being held hostage in Iran. The EU policy towards Iran must be proportionate to the crimes committed by the Iranian regime. I urge the European Union to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. I urge the EEAS to exert the necessary influence on the Iranian regime to stop the mass executions and to bring our citizens home.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, honourable Minister, honourable colleagues, Russia's intensifying war against the West, our critical infrastructure, our democratic system and our economy, which has not been officially declared but has been going on for years, is a reality today. Damaged telecommunications and power supply cables in the Baltic Sea are not accidental. This is hybrid warfare. A strong joint response from the European Union and NATO is essential. We need to step up regional cooperation and take concrete action. The Baltic Sea Police mission is essential to ensure our social and economic security. In addition, we must anticipate a programme for the development of cables passing by the sea. The experience of telecommunications and cable protection gained in the Baltic Sea region will be useful in other seas around the European Union.

Mr President, Commissioner, more fossil fuels, fewer political rights and a growing number of political prisoners – this is the reality of Azerbaijan today. The EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation is not worth the price we and the people of Azerbaijan are paying for it, especially as our goodwill in asking the Azeri authorities to allow Sakharov Prize finalist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu to attend the award ceremony have been so bluntly ignored. Furthermore, an online exchange with Mr Ibadoghlu, which was due to take place yesterday, was openly prevented by cutting communication lines and preventing and intimidating his relatives. When Mr Ibadoghlu and Václav Havel Human Rights Awardee Anar Mammadli are martyred without medical care, and independent media are forced into the 'online ghetto', we cannot delay any longer the application of the EU's Magnitsky Act sanctions against the Azeri officials responsible, in particular Fuad Alasgarov, Vilayat Eyvazov and Ali Naghiyev.

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, dear colleagues, Russia's occupation and violation of Ukraine's sovereignty have sunk the Crimean Peninsula into a decade of darkness and oppression. The fierce persecution of Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians, civil society activists and journalists is being carried out in the style of the Soviet NKVD. The cases of the imprisonment of the human rights defender and civil journalist Iryna Danylovych, for seven years, and the imprisonment of the Crimean Tatar activist Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Amet Suleymanov, for 12 years, each show the true face of the Russian occupiers. This is the real Putin, to whom Viktor Orbán still keeps calling. I urge the European Union to further increase the pressure on Moscow by including all 7 000 and more on the list of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation to those responsible for the Russian aggression against Ukraine. I call for joint action to help the detained and imprisoned Crimean activists to regain their freedom and their homeland as soon as possible.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, Communist China has completely engulfed the once‑democratic Hong Kong and drowned it into the Red swamp. China has broken all its international promises in the Hong Kong Handover Treaty and introduced a draconian, anti‑democratic system of coercion. The persecution of Jimmy Lai illustrates Communist China's repressive role in Hong Kong, and is yet another example of its persecution of dissident and democratic opposition. We must continue to call for the unconditional release of Jimmy Lai and the other 45 activists recently sentenced. Moreover, we must take urgent decisions to suspend Hong Kong's special status as a separate customs territory. We must retaliate against Hong Kong's involvement in helping Russia evade Western sanctions. Finally, we must suspend the extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong.

Madam President, Mr Commissioner, dear colleagues, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which has been going on for more than a thousand days, confirms Russia's turn to the path of increasingly open military confrontation with the West and its partners. Russia is expanding the circle of allies of the Axis of Evil, and in addition to the support it has received from Belarus, Iran, China and North Korea, has begun to make full use of North Korean military units. Notably, involvement of North Korean troops in aggression against Ukraine preceded increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula. At this critical juncture, we must, first, continue to mobilise financial and military support for Ukraine without any restrictions on the use of arms. The fate of global future security in Europe, in particular, and in the West, in general, is now being decided in Ukraine. Secondly, strengthen the global sanctions regime against Russia and its allies, including those who vigorously help evade sanctions. Violators must pay a high price now. Thirdly, we must provide Ukraine with security guarantees from the Western security organisations, thereby ensuring Ukraine's future membership of NATO. Security must be guaranteed. It is not given by chance.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the bloody aggression against Ukraine has pushed Russia to the edge of civilisation. Russia has deliberately chosen this path and must pay the price. To create psychological pressure, and led by revenge, the Russian army is systematically killing Ukrainian prisoners of war. There are currently over 170 cases of evidence of such war crimes. These are genocidal war crimes committed by Russia against Ukrainians. They must be recognised and punished under international law. Each murder of the prisoner of war must become a separate case against the Russian Federation. Everyone who ordered and executed that crime must be punished. While expressing our condolences and support to the Ukrainian families after the loss of their loved ones, we must increase the pressure on the aggressor state in every possible way, using financial-economic sanctions and political-legal measures to isolate Russia. Our response to the aggressor Russia remains firm: its aggression against Ukraine is genocidal crime and it will be punished.

Madam President, it is very much a point of order about us and somebody. I would like to draw the attention of my colleagues to a visit of SMER MEP Ľuboš Blaha to Moscow last week, where he thanked Russia for freedom and peace. On behalf of the Informal Group of Friends of European Ukraine, I would like to state that the Russian Government has caused the war in Ukraine, bringing death and destruction in a sovereign state. Such actions are shameful and incompatible with EU policy. We are here to set up a policy line, not to become Putin's propagandists. They might be the position of the SMER party, but not of the European Parliament. Madam President, I expect that Ľuboš Blaha's trip to Moscow will be properly evaluated by the EP leadership.

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, today we pay tribute to Sakharov Prize laureate Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur human rights defender, who has been in Chinese prison for ten years with a life sentence, and Gulshan Abbas, who was sentenced for 20 years for her sister's criticism of the Chinese regime's oppression of the Uyghurs. This is a very grim reality of communist China, where Beijing is in a quest for global hegemony and uses the harshest methods against human rights defenders, dissidents, and ethnic minorities. Beijing's systematic actions to destroy the historical and cultural identity of the Uyghurs, the uprooting of Tibetans from their historical lands and indoctrination of Tibetan children and the destruction of the democratic institutions in Hong Kong demand a very strong response from the European Union and the West in general. I call on the EU Member States and the European Union to take action in response to those deplorable crimes.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the actions of the Georgian authorities took the country in a different – non-European, non-Western – direction. The Georgian Government has abandoned its previous commitments to the nation and turned to the path of eastern populism. The public hysteria created by the ruling Georgian Dream party over so-called 'family values' only confirms its decision to pander to ultra-radical populism. I also repeat on this occasion our joint call for the urgent and unconditional release of President Mikheil Saakashvili. The actions of those in power to provoke antagonism with the West have had their effect. Political dialogue with the European Union, with the United States of America, has largely ceased and the Georgian authorities have confined themselves to the summit of Mount Kazbek. The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Georgia to restore its European dream. I call on the Georgian people to reject the dangerously destructive manipulation from Russia. Europe is where you belong.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the efforts of the collapsing Soviet empire, and later Russia, to weaken, divide and influence Moldova can be seen as a classic example of interference in the affairs of other states. Unprecedented political interference, economic influence and a combination of intelligence operations are at the heart of Russian policy in Moldova. By 2020, internally corrupt oligarchy, influenced political forces and mass disinformation have weakened Moldova's statehood to the point of critical danger. Fortunately, pro-independence political forces, along with Western partners, have made significant efforts in stabilising the situation. I strongly welcome Moldova's determination to follow the European path, to implement reforms and to pursue the well-being of the Moldovan people. Let's help our partners throw off the shackles of the past.

Madam President, dear colleagues, on 3 October, the Lithuanian Parliament designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a terrorist organisation. Those activities pose a threat to international security and stability, as the regime in Tehran increasingly and consistently pursues a hostile policy towards the domestic opposition, persecuting and repressing opponents – including women – and poses a clear threat to regional and international security by providing arms to Russia to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine and the recent missile attacks against Israel. Dear colleagues, I call on the European Union to follow this recent decision and to add Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the EU list of terrorist organisations.

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, Lukashenka has been in power for 30 years and has created a system characterised by social populism, Soviet-style thinking and widespread human rights abuses. There is no place in Belarus for pluralism of opinion and free political activity. Everyone and everything is controlled and opponents are brutally repressed, often at the cost of their lives. We must not be deceived by the regime's current tactics of releasing some – I emphasise 'some' – political prisoners. They may be arrested once again. Nothing has changed in the country controlled by Lukashenka. We must be firm in demanding the release of all political prisoners, many of whom are in very poor health condition. As long as repression and a KGB loyal to the dictator are used to maintain power, we cannot stop increasing the pressure on Minsk. A firm determination to increase the pressure through sanctions, a united stance and support for the democratic forces in Belarus is what we must continue to do. This is our way to a different future Belarus.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the Taliban's systematic and consistent decisions to turn Afghanistan into a radical Sharia territory must be met with a strong response from the civilised world. There is no alternative. Afghan women and girls have become the main target of discrimination and exclusion from public life. They are being excluded from social life, progress and opportunities for participation in decision making. This violates their political and social rights and robs the country of its future potential. We must do everything possible to ensure that gender apartheid is recognised as a crime against humanity. I call on the European Union to take all possible action in this area. There can be no decisions on Afghanistan without the participation of Afghan women. We must maintain the policy of non-recognition of the Taliban and prevent this regime from becoming an international partner and a dictator of social regression.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, Russia is ready to continue its aggression against Ukraine, mobilising all possible resources and securing the support of its allies. Western support for Ukraine is an essential condition and option for its survival. We made the right choice in the David and Goliath struggle and we must keep our promise. I call on the EU Member States not only to continue their support for Ukraine, but also to increase it to the level of 0.25 % of GDP. This is the way to victory for Ukraine and lasting peace in the region. Yes, we need peace, but not by Putin's one, as Russia can dictate and decide destinies of others. Colleagues, using this opportunity, let me express my criticism of the IMF when its head, Ms Georgieva, decided to visit the capital of the aggressor state. The IMF must also be concerned about world security and the future of Ukraine.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, let me first of all thank Guy Verhofstadt for his great contribution during his years in the European Parliament and even beyond for building a more united, better Union which embraces everybody in the European Union. Thank you, Guy. You will remain for me a great example of a European-level statesman. Deepening and widening of the European Union integration are two important and interrelated aspects of the Union’s development. A reformed and well-functioning European Union responding to the expectations and reforms of its new members is a stronger European Union, better able to cope with global competition while building comprehensive security. The EU’s openness to enlargement, a clear enlargement strategy and fulfilment of commitments by new members are essential conditions for achieving the goals of our united Union. It is necessary to take into account the time frame, which is a very much mobilising element. The next European Parliament will have to devote more time for these issues. And finally, dear colleagues, I invite the European Commission to prepare for the inter-governmental conference with Ukraine and Moldova under the Belgian Presidency, giving a fresh start to the accession negotiations. Time matters.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, internationally renowned economist Gubad Ibadoghlu spent nine months in prison and was only released to house arrest at the start of this European Parliament session. Interesting. Today, his daughter Zhala is visiting the European Parliament to ask for our continued support to enable Dr Gubad to receive a life-saving operation in Germany. Thank you, Zhala, for your commitment, thank you. Human rights activist Ilhamiz Guliyev could spend 12 years in prison after revealing how police plant incriminating evidence against government critics. Mass persecution of independent media, such as Abzas Media, and members of civil society continues. Last week, Meclis.info – the Azerbaijani parliamentary monitoring platform – was targeted. The Azerbaijani authorities have chosen a model of a controlled society, dominated by the institution of the presidency and benefiting, highly by the way, from a power of energy resources. I call on the European Commission to take immediate steps to protect human and political rights in Azerbaijan, and definitely our so-called strategic partnership with Azerbaijan must be reviewed.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, let me, on behalf of all of us, welcome present in this House, Nika Gvaramia, one of the opposition leaders in Georgia. Thank you, Nika, for your dedication and your fight for a better future for Georgia. Colleagues, the repeated attempts by the ruling party in Georgia to pass a law on foreign influence are an example of its intent to control civil society, to influence media and the forthcoming parliamentary elections. All of this runs against Georgia’s status as an EU candidate country, its commitment and the spirit of political reforms. Attempts to justify the oppressing law by applying so-called ‘western practice’ are simply pathetic. Such law is the key to return to Russian authoritarianism. At the same time, I warmly welcome the Georgian people in their opposition to such a move. The civic activism defends the country’s Western future. Colleagues, taking this opportunity, I call on EU institutions to apply targeted sanctions on Georgian individuals undermining democratic processes and organising the persecution of peaceful demonstrators, in particular Zviad Kharazishvili and Vazha Siradze – those people are acting against the will of Georgian people.

Madam President, the aggressor must pay and suffer significant financial damage, and the attacked party is entitled to fair compensation. This is a principle of international law that must fully apply to Russia, which brutally attacked Ukraine. So full confiscation of state assets must come. The delay in using Russian state assets to rebuild Ukraine is incomprehensible, unjustified and even risky. It gives no hope of justice and does not send a strong message to the aggressor side. We must stop hesitating about the volatility of the decision and take very concrete steps. Even the expropriation of the annual interest would be in Ukraine’s advantage, and, if continued for at least a decade, would represent a significant financial burden for Russia. Given the scale of the losses and destruction caused by military aggression in Ukraine, we must mobilise all possible financial resources for the future reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine now.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, for decades, Russia has devoted enormous resources and efforts to weakening Europe, our democracy and our resilience. The time has come to realise that Russkiy Mir, the Kremlin’s ideological concept, is incompatible with our European values. Therefore, according to Kremlin, the latter must be weakened and finally eradicated. All the recent evidence of Russian interference in European political processes must be taken seriously and followed by our concrete action. The European Parliament’s latest resolution on this issue was adopted just in February, but we need to go well beyond declarations. Firstly, EU rules on the financing of the political parties and associations must be harmonised. Secondly, the European Media Freedom Act must be fully implemented – now and forever. We must realise that Moscow’s voice and hand will continue to try to imprison us in a false narrative and distorted reality, if we do not build a solid firewall.

Madam President, animal welfare-related policy area is the one where Europeans are well ahead of their governments and the European Union in general. The recent European Citizens’ Initiative with 1.4 million signatures is the best example of that, while the European Commission is lagging behind with promised legislation. Colleagues, we need a Schengen-like companion animals free movement area with a proper electronically checked identification and registration system. Good for animals, good for people. Secondly, there must be Union-level established standards for pets breeding and breeders’ responsibility and registration rules. I invite the European Commission to react to European citizens’ expectations as soon as possible, inviting many non-governmental animal welfare organisations who did a good job and still do a good job, hand in hand for common cause for animal welfare.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the Taliban regime has turned Afghanistan into a closed country that discriminates against women, kills critics in public and prosecutes ethnic and religious minorities. Women’s futures and opportunities are being sacrificed in the name of radicalised Sharia law. We must condemn loudly and clearly every crime committed by the Taliban against Afghan society and give hope for a different future. I call on Afghanistan’s regional neighbours, the Arab League and other cooperating states to influence the Taliban leadership to demand changes in women’s rights, education and participation in public life. The European Union must, has supported, and will continue to support those human rights and educational activities who continue their work in Afghanistan and abroad, providing the necessary services to an Afghan society that deserves a different set of opportunities and prospects for the country.

Thank you very much for your question, we not only can, we must do much more. And we have to oppose the Putin’s regime by all means. For your information, just yesterday, a close associate of Navalny, Leonid Volkov, was attacked in Vilnius, Lithuania. I mean, they have long hands. They try to impose an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, to shake us, to make us not moving, not being united. This Sunday will be a sham election in Russia. Let’s call these elections illegitimate. Let’s not recognise those results. And we will start from the very beginning, opposing the regime, from very painful place we have. So let’s be united and let’s not be afraid of making clear and sound decisions.

Madam President, minister, Commissioner, just minutes ago, we have been reminded that Russian infiltration into this House is real and clear. We have to withstand all those pressures and to fight propaganda and disinformation of Russian lifestyle as much as we can. Otherwise we will fail. We will fail miserably. Colleagues, why do the Russian occupiers separate and deport Ukrainian people? What are the reasons? First of all, it’s a part of the systematic destruction of the Ukrainian nation. It’s Putin’s plan: a Ukraine without Ukrainians. Secondly, the Russian occupiers are trying to compensate for their human losses in Ukraine, and they suffer greatly because of their aggression they started against Ukraine. This week, it was reported that there is a special programme in Russia to ‘Russify’ and indoctrinate deported Ukrainian children at schools who are prevented from returning to their homeland. The West must continue to raise the issue of deported Ukrainian children in all international forums. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)