Speeches

Mr President, a few days ago we commemorated 11 September. The memory of this event still gives me an immense sense of solidarity with the victims. This solidarity has brought us as allies of the United States to Afghanistan, which ended in a debacle. However, we need to learn from it. Since 11 September, threats in the world have increased markedly. However, this has not yet led to the necessary progress on the European Union's military self-reliance. Our solidarity with the US is and remains crucial to our security policy and is an indispensable lever for our common values and multiculturalism. However, solidarity does not equate to blind obedience. We therefore urgently need to work towards a fully-fledged defence of our own. At the same time, we must continue to focus on our NATO cooperation and, when it comes time for new agreements, give it priority as allies.

Mr President, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Our values as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty are fundamental to the policies of the European Union, both for ourselves within that European Union and for our relations with other countries. And rightly so. We also have great ambitions in the area of human rights and the rule of law. This can be seen in the launch of an effective system of sanctions against serious human rights violations worldwide. Our resolution today on Dr Djalali's extremely precarious situation testifies to the seriousness with which we are doing so. The motivated way in which we demand his immediate and unconditional release and the threat of sanctions that we pronounce in unmistakable words are for me a very clear illustration of how the European Parliament wants to give credibility to the stated ambitions of the EU. Dr. Djalali worked as a valued academic at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. That is why his dossier is being followed with particular interest in my country, as in Sweden and in other Member States. With fear, but also with hope. For years, Flemish universities have ceased their cooperation with academic institutions in Iran and made their resumption dependent on dignified treatment with medical care and legal aid, and on a fair trial and non-application of the death penalty. I strongly and firmly support the call of our universities – and of course the call of his family and many others – to do everything possible at all levels of policy for the release of Dr. Djalali. We, as the European Union, have the means to make a difference, including sanctions, like no other. We, as the European Union, can and must make a difference here.

Mr President, we must manage Europe's external borders effectively. This is the only way to ensure a robust internal system based on trust, solidarity and responsibility, which is crucial in the fight against illegal migration, terrorism and serious crime, whether politically driven or not. We also need a harmonised approach to visas so that we can exploit the full potential of the Schengen area without compromising the integrity and internal security of citizens. I am pleased that today we are adopting the instrument for financial support for border management and visa policy, which aims to help Member States facing challenges at their external borders. The funds should accelerate digitalisation with a view to establishing fast, correct and high-quality procedures. Let us take this opportunity, in particular, to call once again on the Member States to work towards closer European cooperation. Controlled management of migration flows can only succeed if we work together.

Mr President, if the European Union, as a global actor, wants to mean something and be credible with regard to its own policies, it must urgently act more decisively in Tigray, before the local population and against those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity that took place there and are still taking place. Unfortunately, in my view, the unilaterally declared ceasefire is more of a military, tactical calculation than a step towards lasting peace or a solution to the humanitarian crisis. The international community can no longer remain detached from what is happening in Tigray. First of all, I am looking at the United Nations and the European Union, which, because of its belief in the multilateral approach to regional conflicts and humanitarian crises, can play a leading role within the UN. I therefore urge the Council to show more decisiveness and to make real decisions. The humanitarian crisis must be tackled immediately, but the international community must also invest in ending the conflict, in returning to stability and rebuilding the destroyed society, and in an international investigation and proper trial of crimes committed against the population.