Speeches

The next item is the report by Davor Ivo Stier, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the EU Political Strategy for Latin America (2025/2083(INI)) (A10-0171/2025).

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, two years after the horror of 7 October, the pain remains alive. Hamas terrorism has targeted innocent civilians, wiping out lives and injuring the conscience of the free world forever. And today we cannot but turn from here a thought to the hostages and their families and hope that they will soon be able to return home. Along with this recent memory, we cannot even forget October 9, 1982, when a terrorist commando assaulted the synagogue in Rome, killing little Stefano Gaj Taché, just two years old. They are open wounds that remind us that, yesterday as today, fighting all forms of anti-Semitism is not only a moral duty, it is the condition for defending democracy, freedom and our civil conscience. For this reason there can be no room for those who minimize, justify or exalt the pogrom of October 7 or the terror of October 9. Hate can only be born of hate, always.

The next item is the report by Antonio Decaro on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: Simplification and reinforcement (COM(2025)0087- C10-0035/2025 - 2025/0039(COD)) (A10-0085/2025) I would remind the honourable Members that only one round of speeches by speakers from the political groups will be held for this debate, so there is no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue card speeches will be accepted.

The next item is the European citizens' initiative "Cohesion policy for the equality of regions and the sustainability of regional cultures" (2025/2665(RSP)).

The next item is the European citizens' initiative "Cohesion policy for the equality of regions and the sustainability of regional cultures" (2025/2665(RSP)).

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, we naturally welcome with relief the release of Sergei Tikhanovsky and other Belarusian political prisoners, but we know that their marked bodies tell of the brutality of prison repression, isolation, ill-treatment, deprivation. And we know that for every person released, dozens remain locked up in inhumane conditions. I too would like to add my voice to those in this House who have today called for their immediate unconditional release. We know that the UN is talking about crimes against humanity and that is why the sanctions against Belarus must be firm, aligned with those against Russia. But we know we need more. This Parliament and the Commission must step up support for the Belarusian resistance in exile, give voice, give instruments, give protection to those who fight for freedom. The freedom of Belarus is also defended from here, firmly, truthfully and without looking away.

We are waiting for Commissioner Roswall. We have to wait for the Commissioner to arrive. No, Commissioner Roswall is replacing Commissioner Hoekstra, please.

I would like to inform you that the President has received three separate requests from Renew, S&D and the Greens for an urgent procedure pursuant to Rule 170(5) on the European Climate Law. The vote will be taken tomorrow. If adopted, the vote will be added to the draft agenda for a future part session.

The next item is the statement by the Commission on the revision of the European Climate Law (2025/2802(RSP)). I would remind the honourable Members that only one round of speeches by speakers from political groups will be held for this debate. There is no "Catch the eye" procedure and blue cards will not be accepted.

The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the texts adopted have been distributed. Are there any comments? There are no comments. The minutes were approved.

The debate is closed. The sitting is suspended and will resume in a few minutes with the address of His Majesty King Abdullah II, ruler of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Thanks to all of you.

Colleagues, we're not at the stadium. So I would ask you to be respectful of those who intervene. When it is your turn, then, you will have the opportunity to express your thoughts. Let us avoid stadium typhus, which is not really of this House. Thank you very much.