Speeches

Mr President, Minister, Commissioner, in the first 100 days, we can indeed say that Europe has been well off the ground. But frankly, if the Commission moves forward by 100 kilometres per hour, then world politics will move forward by 200 kilometres per hour. As far as I'm concerned, Trump and Putin have once again taken a lead. What interests me most now is the next 100 days. I am going to call on the Council, the Commission and ourselves to do so. Let's increase the pace. Two very clear things: Speed up and be radical enough in the choices we make. Radical in four areas: 1) Complete the internal market, throw it open. No more brakes. (2) Deregulation. Fewer rules, more freedom for entrepreneurs. 3) Radically go for that roadmap, for that European defence and that European army. 4) Radical pro-Europe. Turn away from the extreme right, which will destroy Europe at all times. Focus on those who want to move forward. And please, stop Orbán from blackmailing us.

Mr President, Commissioner Kubilius, this is the most important debate in history, because we currently have 27 armies, 27 defence budgets and 27 different purchasing strategies. Now we're all saying together that we're going to spend more on defense. I've been saying that here for ten years. So I say: Yes, spending more, but not more of the same. It will have to be different, it will have to be together and it will have to be European. Secondly, Commissioner, you are using Article 122 of the Treaty to sideline Parliament. I like it, but that's not going to improve the quality. A good European defence policy cannot be put in the back rooms. Thirdly, Commissioner, you will be presenting a white paper next week. I hope it is clearer and more concrete than you have been today. It needs really big European programmes and a roadmap for a European army. I've been saying this here for ten years. You want to go down in history? Well, Commissioner, make that roadmap for that European army, or you're missing the deal with history.

Mr President, it is a very important proposal that we have debated here this afternoon. You said it yourself: It's actually the capstone. This was missing. National return systems are too fragmented and you mentioned it: We must make sure that if someone is expelled from a European country, he does leave the Union and does not try elsewhere. So I think that is an absolutely necessary step. We, as liberals, are in favour of a strict but fair asylum policy, and that includes rapid expulsion. But I have to take it from my heart: The nonsense, the lies, the stigmatization of the extreme right here in this hemisphere defy all imagination. I'm gonna ask on that side. One: Look in the mirror. If you're born in a country at war and chemically bombed, aren't you going to flee? And two: You are lucky to have been born in Europe, in a country in peace.

Mr President, Mrs Ursula von der Leyen has done her job. It provided €800 billion in additional budgets in the short term and Member States approved it and went home. But I turn to you now, for now the real work begins. I urge you not to just do more of the same. We'll have to do things differently. I'm counting on you to enter into a "coalition of the buying". Buy together. We know what is needed: a European anti-aircraft system and a European nuclear umbrella. I have heard Mr Merz and Mr Macron. France and Germany are participating and if they participate, other countries will join in anyway. Just do this. Bring the Norwegians and the British to the table. We all know why. Let's not just do more of the same, just form a "coalition of the willing". There is one more major step that you need to take together with the Commission – and I have only heard this a few times today – namely the step towards a European army. That's what we need.

Mr President, Commissioner, we debated the long to-do list of the European Commission here all morning. I want to focus on four things that citizens expect from us. First, of course, safety. Without security, we will do nothing. Second, lower energy costs. Thirdly, less paperwork and, finally, easier capital, so that young entrepreneurs can also start their businesses in Europe. Commissioner, it is vitally important to me that we work on this very quickly. I think everyone said it here: Time is running out. Europeans no longer want to be spectators, they want to play. That is why I really want to urge you: Make sure that speed gets there. Mr Gerbrandy made it very clear. Also, make sure that you reform the Union, that we can move forward at the pace of the fastest and not at the pace of the Patriots and of others who will always be on the brakes if Europe wants to move forward.

Mr President, just to say, I'm very sorry because we are debating here now more than an hour, all parties with a very strong resolution. Neither the Commission nor the Council can pronounce that Rwanda is making a big mistake in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I am very sorry – we will vote a very strong resolution on Thursday, and I really hope, Commissioner and Council, that you can clearly state that Rwanda is making mistakes and crimes over in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the dead in Congo are no longer waiting for reports, but for deeds. For more than thirty years now, the Congolese people have been massacred, raped and displaced. This people has nothing to do with our speeches or our timid condemnations. When Russia invaded Ukraine, we reacted immediately and we were right. But today, as the Congo is under attack, where is our reaction? Why this indifference? What is happening in eastern Congo is a direct war of occupation waged by Rwanda and its accomplices. The evidence is overwhelming, and yet we, Europe, continue to delay, to seek hollow diplomatic solutions while the Congolese fall like flies. We have the means to act. We have to do it now. Instead of rewarding Kagame with hundreds of millions of euros, we need to adopt sanctions that hit where it hurts: immediately suspend the memorandum of understanding on raw materials with Rwanda, expand sanctions against senior Rwandan and M23 officials, block all European assistance to Kigali. Finally, we must guarantee humanitarian access and the protection of Panzi Hospital, its teams and patients. How naive can we be? Any other response will be a betrayal of our own European interests and fundamental values. Europe must stop being complicit in its inaction. Let us be on the right side of history, because our descendants will judge us by our actions today and not by our speeches and intentions.

Mr President, Europe must take its responsibility in this conflict. In 1948, the Jewish people – rightly so – were given their own state. Today, however, the Palestinian people are threatened with extermination. There is a threat of genocide in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people are expelled. This is no longer a war against Hamas, this is ethnic cleansing. Now Trump even talks about ‘buying Gaza’. As if Palestinians are not people, but a problem that you solve with money. Constructions financed by Europe, by us, are being destroyed. Where are we? Europe cannot remain on the sidelines. We must ensure the implementation of the agreement and the release of all hostages. Trade with the illegally occupied territories must be effectively stopped. We need to review the association agreement with Israel. The arrest warrants against Hamas and Israeli leaders must be respected and executed. We need to make sure that the necessary humanitarian aid can really get in. Show what Europe and our principles are worth!

Mr President, many have already said it here: Today marks three years since Russia's horrific war against Ukraine began. We supported Ukraine for three years. Unanimous, thankfully. But let's be honest: half-hearted and with the foot on the brake. We have sanctioned Russia. Unified, but also half-hearted. We are now on the 15th package of sanctions. In doing so, we have not only stretched the misery of the Ukrainians, but also our own pain. Today, gas prices are at their highest level in two years. We pay the price. The war is too long. Let's agree today that this war is coming to an end this year. There are three ways to achieve peace: 1. Deliver those weapons now and completely. 2. Introduce sanctions against everyone. 3. Make Europe stronger.

Mr President, in March the Commission will present a White Paper on defence. I am confident that the Commission is doing this very well and ambitiously. However, I have less confidence in the Council and the Member States because of their previous short-sightedness. Since the adoption of the first European Defence Plan in 1954, the Member States have done nothing but obstruction. European defence has been discussed for more than 70 years. If we don't do this now, when will we? We must fight for our collective security. We can no longer count on the Americans to come to our aid. This won't just blow over: President Trump is a symptom of a changing American society. Our citizens expect us to invest in defence and security and spend their taxpayers' money efficiently. We need to create jobs and work on industry. I therefore hope that the Commission's plan is very ambitious and includes a European army. Spending more resources in the same way will get us nowhere. The Commission should lobby the Member States and ensure that together they spend more than just their own 5% and spend these funds differently. It is now or never for the survival of our continent.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it has been about Trump for days and weeks now, but yesterday Trump did not say a word about Europe. And that's not a good sign. We know what he's up to. One: He's going to impose new tariffs, supposedly to protect the U.S. economy, but which will affect our companies. Two: He will suffocate us, his European NATO allies. Three: He will, of course, make deals with as many autocrats as possible, starting with Putin. And hold on if he makes a deal with China, against Europe. All three against us, against Europe. And what is our strategy? Well, I'll tell you what to do. One: strengthen our alliance with democracies; Make a block against the bullies. Two: To build our own European defence, together with NATO if we can, against Trump if we have to. Giving teeth to our competitive legislation. Make sure we bite back when they impose import duties. Trump has shown a tremendous fighting spirit for America. Let us show the same fighting spirit for Europe.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, after 471 days of horrific violence, the agreement is finally a step in the right direction. But it's only a first small step, and you feel on all sides that Prime Minister Netanyahu will revert to violence as soon as he can. He admitted it in so many words yesterday. So it is not the time for Europe to sit back and say from the sidelines, "We welcome the ceasefire. We thank the US, Egypt and Qatar. Now is the time to increase the pressure. I hear in the corridors that Europe has already made promises about strengthening the association agreement with Israel. Are these rumors true, colleagues? I sincerely hope not, because that would greatly reduce the pressure. We are counting on the High Representative to respond forcefully and clearly to this. I know that the Commission is not here today, but I have three very specific requests for the Commission: First, send European observers. Both sides, colleagues, must abide by the agreement. Secondly, make sure that all European countries execute the international arrest warrants, and thirdly, make sure that the "EU blocking" statute is activated, so that Europeans are immune to any attacks by Trump. Trump is now taking his oath. He has only one interest in mind: America's. We must put the European interest first. In this case, that means the two-state solution.

Mr President, we must dare to say frankly that we are facing a leadership crisis in Europe. Not with you, the Commission, but with the Council. As Mr Gerbrandy said. And our European citizens today have real fears: on Europe's military weakness, on a possible nuclear attack and on their savings. It is safe in our banks. And what will be the advice of the Member States? In the Netherlands, people are called upon to withdraw cash from the bank. In Sweden, war brochures are printed and in Belgium, the Minister of the Interior calls for a flashlight to be brought into the house. It is very good, ladies and gentlemen, that we want to prepare people for a possible war. But flashlights are not preparation. Brochures are not preparation. Those are silly oddities. I ask and I trust Ursula von der Leyen – I hope you give her this message – that she will convince the Council to take the following actions: 1. certainty that our citizens' money is safe at the banks; 2. an accelerated plan for that European Defence Union and for that European army. Honestly, ladies and gentlemen, my wish under the Christmas tree is a decisive Europe with a European Defence Union and a European army. That will protect our citizens.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, we can no longer turn a blind eye to sexual violence as a weapon of war. In North Kivu alone, more than 17 000 women and girls have been raped in the last five months. This is a shocking, brutal reality that can no longer be ignored. Like today, in 2014, we awarded the Sakharov Prize here to Dr Mukwege for treating, or rather repairing, raped women. Today, he repairs the girls and granddaughters of the children from these horrific rapes. And I visited his hospital. I spoke with these girls. Their bodies were destroyed, but not their dreams. I asked them what they dreamed of. And you know what one of them said to me? This little girl, just 12 years old, said to me: ‘Madame, I dream of having a man and children.’ Yet she had been raped for weeks by soldiers. It was completely destroyed. So, Mrs Kallas, it is high time for Europe to restore the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement to its full potential. You have certainly seen that, this weekend, the Luanda process has once again failed. You know very well that strategic minerals are the driving force behind these conflicts. So, sanction all the actors and accomplices involved. History will judge us by our actions today. Amani Kwenu. To live up to its role, Europe must condition its economic relations with Rwanda.

Well, honestly, I think you didn't listen to my speech – because that was exactly what I'm saying. Europe cannot wait. We have to take the lead. We have to engage with the new people who are in power there and talk to them at the highest political level.

Mr President, colleagues, the West has failed to prevent the Syrian tragedy. The West has failed to protect itself and create security for the Europeans. Since the outbreak of the Arab Spring, neither we nor the Americans have done anything substantial to support the Syrian people or to oust Bashar al-Assad. The horrifying images of the Sednaya prison will remain etched in everyone's memory. We must not make the same mistake again and show some backbone. What we do or fail to do can make an enormous difference – the difference between stability or chaos; the difference between Syrian refugees returning home or even more Syrian refugees coming to Europe. My proposal is that you do two very concrete actions. One, engage in dialogue with the new power brokers, no hesitation, at the highest level, Kaja. Not like the Council said. Do it at your level. Only political pressure can prevent them to radicalise. And secondly, organise a global donor conference for the reconstruction of Syria. Take the lead. Because, let's be honest, we did nothing when the Syrian revolution broke out on 15 March 2011. We did nothing to support the democratic opposition. We left the field to ISIS, Iran and Russia, to murderers and terrorists. Do the opposite of what the Orbán regime is asking you, and you will be on the right side of history.

Mr President, you have before you a convinced liberal European who is very happy today, Mrs von der Leyen. You have highlighted two points that we have been asking for for a long time. One: you have put the focus on jobs and the economy, and put the emphasis on keeping the jobs in Europe. Two: The focus on safety. Finally, a European Commissioner for Defence and an incredibly strong woman as our High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. As liberals, we are very pleased with this. I just have to be honest with you: you have shown yourself here – and I welcome that – as a true European leader, a leader. You were looking for broad support. You are making sure that Europe is united. And that's what we're gonna have to be. If we look at the threats that are coming at us, there may be one small downside: You didn't talk about a European army. You know, I'll keep repeating that here until we can work towards that. I think you are aware of the urgency. Make sure these words become deeds. You have our support.

Madam President, I really want to make a point of order because we are really debating here a very, very important topic. The rule of this Parliament is that we can have a blue card. If people from the extreme right are really putting the words of Putin forward here all the time, we should have the right to react. Now you say, yes, I have I do not know how many interventions, yet that is why this Parliament is elected for, to do interventions here. But it is also elected to have a debate. And what you said is that I am sitting here all day hearing and that I cannot react when people are putting forward the words of Putin. Then there was no use of this Parliament. Let's have a real debate and let us have that intervention and the blue cards.

Madam President, colleagues, Europe always had a love-hate relationship with the United States. Under Biden there was a lot of love on defence, on Ukraine, and a lot of hate and irritation on trade because of our European trade surplus. Under Trump, we need to enforce this. We need a fundamental shift. Trump is like a godfather, so let's make him an offer he cannot refuse. We need to tell him 'we don't need your American love on defence. We will do our own homework.' Europe must stand on its own military legs. And on trade, we need the opposite. We have to say stop the hate. We are not your enemy. Europe is your biggest trade ally. Let's form a trade bloc against China and other autocracies. Colleagues, let's stop analysing Trump. He's a man of action. Let's show him a Europe of action.

Madam President, I think the question raised is a very important topic. We are not against this Parliament talking about it, but I don't think we can do it tomorrow morning. I don't think we have a majority on the proposed title. So, what I want to propose is to let us find a majority on the title and let us have the debate in Strasbourg next session.

Colleague, I have heard your speech here and I think it is a real disgrace. It's clear you're a man. You say here that the policy in Poland is an example for the whole of Europe. I don't agree with that. I'd like to tell you one thing: Suppose you are a woman, you are brutally raped and you then have to bear a child for nine months, give birth and raise it in love. How are you going to do that? I think your speech here is a real disgrace to Europe.

Mr President, a correct approach to migration is crucial for Europe. We call for a strict but fair migration policy. We must decide who enters Europe, not the smugglers. We also know what to do: strengthen the external borders, which are now a cheese with holes, implement the migration pact and implement a European return policy, humane and humane. That's what needs to be done. We do not need internal border controls. Then we have free movement of goods and people, to which we Europeans are so attached. This is crucial for our economy. Because, ladies and gentlemen, you know: With these internal controls, we are not catching any illegal ones, but we are thwarting our economy. Then we don't need any ill-conceived ideas of surrogate prisons. On the right, I would like to say one thing: Do not forget, ladies and gentlemen, that you are lucky enough to have been born in a country in peace.

Mr President, Mr Borrell, ladies and gentlemen, we have already heard it here: There is so much suffering and sadness in every corner of the region. And remember: There should never be accustomation or acquiescence to conflict or suffering. I am very concerned about what is happening in Lebanon. Mr Borrell, you said it: 20% displaced people, both sides shoot thousands of missiles back and forth, there are already more than 500 dead on the Lebanese side and meanwhile Israel is sending more troops north. A new front is emerging there. There are also the Iranian attacks on Israel and the retaliation for that is still awaited. It's going from bad to worse. We also heard it yesterday in this debate here: In fact, we here in Parliament are asking for Europe to try to play a greater role, however difficult it may be. First of all: now Europe can and must play a role in repatriating European citizens. Tomorrow there will be a flight from Belgium. It will also bring other Europeans. That is what Europe must now commit to. Two: an immediate ceasefire. Three: Release the hostages – I'll see family members later. Four – perhaps most importantly: More humanitarian aid. Open those borders, let that help come in. Now, from Europe, let us make that fist once and for all and do what Europe has to do. You have our support.