What Ilhan spoke about.

13 Jun

2023

EN Speech

Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioner, Minister, colleagues, illegal occupation, annexation, full-scale invasion, terrorist acts and now ecocide is a small part of daily life of innocent Ukrainian citizens. The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam would disrupt the lives of thousands of people, leading force displacements, loss of homes and the breakdown of essential infrastructure. The environmental im…

31 May

2023

BG Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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Mr President, "Another scandal in Bulgaria: Ursula von der Leyen - could she have avoided it?” This is today’s headline of the authoritative French publication Le Monde. No, he could not avoid it, because the scandal happened between the former Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Kiril Petkov, the current leader, one of the leaders of ‘Continuing the Change’, and Ursula von der Leyen. Let me just read you…

9 May

2023

EN Speech

2022 Report on Kosovo (debate)

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Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the European Parliament progress report on Kosovo is an encouraging and positive reflection of the country’s commitment to the Euro-Atlantic community and its efforts towards reform. And thank you, Viola von Cramon, for your very balanced and accurate report. Over the past years, Kosovo has made significant progress in implementing its reform ag…

19 Apr

2023

EN Speech

Repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny

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Madam President, dear colleagues, on Monday this week, Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced for 25 years in prison for alleged treason. His crime for this absurd sentence: speaking out and speaking for millions who disagree with Putin’s war in Ukraine and the escalating repression in the country he loved. Let me remind you what Vladimir had told us already back in 2017: ‘however strong the dictatorsh…

19 Apr

2023

EN Speech

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel (debate)

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Madam President, as I promised, I will stick to my two minutes, and Prime Minister, great to be here with you and to discuss Europe’s issues and I want to thank you for your great leadership. Finally you will have the opportunity to speak in front of the full plenary in a couple of minutes and we will hear your final conclusions. The think tank of the Liberals – ‘Overview’ – this month is entitled…

18 Apr

2023

EN Speech

The need for a coherent strategy for EU-China Relations (debate)

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Mr President, dear Mr Borrell, dear Vice—President of the European Commission, colleagues, this debate is certainly not about two things: this debate is not about playing the blaming game and it is not about choosing sides, because we know our sides. We know our partners, we know our friends and we are working together with them. But this debate is certainly about the topic, the need, for a cohere…

14 Mar

2023

EN Speech

EU-Azerbaijan relations (debate)

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Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, first of all, I would like to thank Ms Zovko for her constructive work on this very important report, and let’s have a realistic approach on EU-Azerbaijan relations. Having said that, I think we should start by respecting each other. Respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty is a vital precondition for future peaceful relations between A…

14 Feb

2023

EN Speech

Question Time (Commission) - Strengthened EU enlargement policy to the Western Balkans

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Dear Commissioner, I want to thank you once again for putting in place an economic and investment plan; I think it is the right medicine for political, but also for other, reasons in the Western Balkans. You took the approach for being more optimistic about the future of the region, and rightly so, because you represent the European Commission, which is called geopolitical, the European Commission…

13 Feb

2023

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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Madam President, it’s a matter of humanism that we provide strong support to Türkiye and Syria in these difficult times. And I would like to particularly thank Commissioner Lenarčič for his decisive work and great support coming from his people, his team, through a civil protection mechanism. I would like also to applaud and thank the thousands of EU rescuers and the volunteers that are fighting f…

17 Jan

2023

EN Speech

Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (debate)

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Mr President, dear High Representative, dear colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr McAllister for his comprehensive approach on this report on the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy. It is of paramount importance and it is of paramount importance in preserving peace and reinforcing international security. It is clear that EU has learned from its previous geostrategic…

17 Jan

2023

BG Speech

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Swedish Presidency (debate)

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Madam President, good luck and congratulations on the priorities of the Swedish Presidency! Many topics, important topics, the war in Ukraine. Undoubtedly, Europe must be united in this battle against the evil of the 21st century. Energy issues, consolidation on many geopolitical topics, all this is important. Mr Prime Minister, two topics do not find their place in the Swedish Presidency. One top…

13 Dec

2022

BG Speech

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, thank you for all your efforts. It was important not only for Bulgaria and Romania, but above all for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens that the Commission be very clear in its assessment, namely that Bulgaria and Romania should be part of the Schengen area. Colleagues, it's been 11 years. Over these 11 years, much has changed in the European Union and beyond. World polit…

23 Nov

2022

EN Speech

The need for a European solution on asylum and migration including search and rescue (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioners, Dear representative of the Council, Dear colleagues, we have been discussing the need for a European solution on an asylum and migration for years now. The need for a common solution has, meanwhile, become an imperative. First and foremost, we need to find a clear system of rules that corresponds to the current realities. This is why the commitment of the European…

22 Nov

2022

BG Speech

New EU strategy for enlargement (debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, congratulations to Mr Picula, who is making an attempt to modernise a very important policy of the European Union, namely enlargement policy. I believe that this policy has reasons to be called the most successful foreign policy of the European Union, but at the same time it must be taken much more seriously, both as an approach and as an attitude. The Commission is …

18 Oct

2022

EN Speech

Impact of Russian invasion of Ukraine on migration flows to the EU (debate)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, Commissioner, I think Europe’s answer to this devastating humanitarian crisis was quick and decisive. This was unprecedented and the overwhelming support coming mainly from the citizens of the European Union and I would like to thank them once more. It seems that we have learned our lessons. At least I hope that we have learned our lessons from previous crises. And w…

5 Oct

2022

BG Speech

The accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area (debate)

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Member of the Commission. - Madam President, honourable Members, we have been hearing different arguments for years. First of all, the border must be well guarded. Time has shown that borders are well guarded. Secondly, the Schengen area needs to be reformed. Yes, and there has been tremendous progress. Thirdly, there must be a geopolitical situation. New, fundamental. There is a fundamentally new…

5 Oct

2022

EN Speech

Russia’s escalation of its war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

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Mr President, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, Europe has done a tremendous job. Europe has done a lot of things, including military support, financial support, but it is not a time for self-celebration. We must continue our support for the brave Ukrainians who are fighting not only for their designation, for their identity and belonging, but they are fighting for us, for Europeans, for European …

14 Sep

2022

BG Speech

Illegal detention of the opposition leader in Bulgaria (topical debate)

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Mr President, honourable Commissioner, honourable Minister, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, we are discussing today a specific case, yes, an important case of the arrest of one of the opposition leaders, Boyko Borisov. But let me tell you, abuse of law doesn't start with this case. He culminated with it, but violation of the constitution and laws has become the norm in the last few months. Let me…

14 Sep

2022

BG Speech

State of the Union (debate)

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Madam President, Mrs von der Leyen, thank you for all the efforts that you are making, and today Europe must be united, both internally not to allow division, which third external factors expect, and externally Europe to have the moral, political authority to build new partnerships and uphold its values. You're talking about a political community. I really like the idea of a political community, c…

13 Sep

2022

BG Speech

EU response to the increase in energy prices in Europe (debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, thank you for all the efforts you have made so far. There are many things that can be done and will probably be done. But besides the energy manifestations we see, it is very important to make sure that the European Union is united. Against the backdrop of what is happening, the unity of the Union remains my number one priority. Secondly, it is very important that, i…

12 Sep

2022

BG Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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Mr President, honourable Members, I would like to draw your attention to a report which is in an apocryphal form but which is funded by the European Commission. The report was prepared by the International Press Institute. The report contains extremely disturbing circumstances regarding the media environment in my country, the Republic of Bulgaria. Dangerous precedents are created using distorted …

6 Jul

2022

EN Speech

The Three Seas Initiative: challenges and opportunities (topical debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine makes the security, development and sustainability of Central and Eastern Europe even more strategic. I would like to highlight that the Initiative brings high importance, taking the economic potential of the region. But also I am very glad to see that the Three Seas Initiative is developing. The investme…

5 Jul

2022

EN Speech

2021 Report on Kosovo (debate)

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Madam President, I will try not to repeat what was said already, but also I will try to avoid my frustration and to focus on positive developments for Kosovo. But before that, let me start by thanking our rapporteur for bringing such a balanced report in front of the European Parliament. Indeed, Kosovo is among the countries in the region where the EU integration process enjoys strong support amon…

22 Jun

2022

BG Speech

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 June 2022, including the meeting with Western Balkan leaders on 23 June - Candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, it is of course right to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Georgia. This is in the geopolitical interest of the European Union. Moreover, these countries have proven over the years, especially Ukraine, that it defends its right to self-determination, its right to dignity and its right to be part of this European Union. But let us look a little more seriously a…

18 May

2022

EN Speech

2021 Report on Albania (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, dear Isabel, congratulations for your constructive approach, but also congratulations you for your knowledge and dedication, which is very well reflected in the Albania Progress Report. We certainly should recognise Albania’s role for regional stability, and its full alignment with the relevant foreign and defence commitments towards NATO and the European Union. I must …