What Hilde spoke about.

13 Sep

2023

NL Speech

Reviewing the protection status of wolves and other large carnivores in the EU (topical debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, after a debate about the State of the Union all morning and then here after noon about the wolf, I must tell you that you feel here in the hemisphere that the debate about the wolf is very disturbing. You feel it very clearly: You have the proponents, you have the lovers, and then you have the opponents. And yes, since 1992 the wolf has been protected with a very hig…

12 Sep

2023

NL Speech

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, in today's debate I have not actually heard anyone exuberantly positive about this agreement. Lots of critics. I must tell you that Europe has not really made a good turn for me here. Why? We didn't speak with one voice, that's for sure. The President of the Commission and two Heads of Government are not Team Europe. We have also completely sidelined Parliament and, aft…

12 Jul

2023

NL Speech

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular the recent developments in the war against Ukraine and in Russia (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, almost all of us have been saying the same thing here for 1.5 years: Ukraine must not lose this war. Where would Putin stop if he won this war? We must therefore work towards compliance with these sanctions, but we should do so more quickly. We need to rebuild Ukraine. We also need to do this faster. We must ensure that the war criminals are brought to justice. But do y…

14 Jun

2023

NL Speech

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular in the light of recent steps towards concluding the Migration Pact (debate)

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Mr President, with a year to go until the European elections, two-thirds of Europeans say they will go to the polls. That was more than five years ago. We found that the EU is seen as relevant, but that citizens in many Member States intend to vote anti-EU. Real breakthroughs must therefore be made at this summit to convince citizens that the EU matters. For example, I expect a strict 11th package…

13 Jun

2023

NL 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, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam is yet another inhuman war crime committed by the Russian army. For me, it shows once again that we need to do more and faster. I think this moment should make the following clear: First, provide urgent emergency assistance now. This is, I think, the worst human environmental disaster since Chernobyl. So ple…

12 Jun

2023

NL Speech

Marking the World Day against Child Labour (debate)

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Mr President, today is the International Day against Child Labour and we must seize this day more than ever. Worldwide, one hundred and sixty million children are employed in child labour. I once saw it with my own eyes: children who have to sell coca-cola on the corner of the street, children who have to assemble shoes in dark factories and, worse, children who have to sit down to see if they are…

10 May

2023

NL Speech

The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector (continuation of debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, wake up! Can I tell you that? Wake up. Look at the figures: We've lost 5.1 million farmers in the last 15 years. One third of our European farms. That's a thousand a day, a thousand farmers a day disappearing in our Europe. And for the farmers who still want to farm, it is made almost impossible. One obligation follows the other. We too, Mrs de Lan…

8 May

2023

NL Speech

Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner Breton, the European defence industry needs to move – very urgently – to a higher gear, because we have not been able to supply Ukraine for months at the pace needed in this war of exhaustion. And colleagues, we must keep in mind: Ukraine must not lose this war. That would be catastrophic for Ukraine, but also for Europe. Where would Putin stop, do you think, if he wins …

19 Apr

2023

EN Speech

Children forcibly deported from Ukraine and the ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear Minister, children are the most vulnerable in wartime. But what we now see is madness. Russia has deported over 20 000 innocent children from Ukraine. As a mother of two, I wonder, what if it was my son? What if it was my daughter taken away from me? And we know the brutal facts of Russian officials forcing young children in re-education camps to ratify them. …

18 Apr

2023

NL Speech

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

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Mr President, Mrs von der Leyen, Mr Borrell, ladies and gentlemen, the last few weeks have not been the epitome of a strong and united Europe. It's been years since Kissinger wondered: ‘To whom should I call if I want to talk to Europe?’ And now citizens – and probably also the Chinese – are wondering who is speaking on behalf of Europe. Just take a look at the visits of the past six months: Olaf …

15 Mar

2023

NL Speech

Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 (debate)

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Mr President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Vice-President of the Commission, it is very clear to me. There are three priorities for this European Council: Ukraine, Ukraine and Ukraine. First of all, Ukraine. Give me those guns. I think President Zelenskyy was very clear. Deliver ammunition, deliver planes, deliver long-range missiles. I think that if we want Ukraine to win this war, w…

14 Mar

2023

NL Speech

Question Time (VPC/HR) - Strengthening the Trans-Atlantic ties in an ever challenging multilateral world

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Well, I actually want to join my colleague Bütikofer, because I have to say honestly, Mr Borrell, it is indeed about transatlantic relations and I also use this – just like my colleague Bütikofer – to cite this. Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen was in the United States. We are now reading that there is a conflict in attitude between Mrs von der Leyen and Charles Michel regarding China's vision. We have v…

15 Feb

2023

NL Speech

One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

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Mr President, Mr von der Leyen, the war in Ukraine has been raging for almost a year, resulting in much human drama and suffering. We too are suffering the consequences. I think we can all agree that this war must end, with the exception of a few speakers, who may be paid for by authoritarian regimes and whom I will not mention by name. The only solution is a victory for Ukraine and a Europe with …

14 Feb

2023

FR Speech

Tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)

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Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the war waged by the armed group M23, supported by Rwanda, in the east of the DRC requires our attention. Indeed, the humanitarian situation is alarming. We are witnessing a host of evils that accompany this war: Insecurity, forced recruitment and displacement of civilians, summary executions and massacres have become part of the backdrop of eastern DRC. This in…

13 Feb

2023

NL Speech

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the moving image of Mesut, the Turkish man who refuses to let go of the hand of his deceased daughter, is on my mind. The photos of baby Aya, who was born under the rubble in Syria and her parents are lost, do not let me go. The devastation is enormous and the need is high. The first European emergency aid was quickly on the ground. I would therefore like to thank all t…

13 Dec

2022

NL Speech

Prospects for the two-State solution for Israel and Palestine (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we have been negotiating for hours this morning. When we talk about Israel and Palestine, they are always fierce discussions with a lot of emotions, I must not tell you that. I would like to thank my shadow rapporteurs very much. It was a very difficult, very intense debate, and we tried to make a good resolution together. We agree that the two-sta…

13 Dec

2022

NL Speech

Suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions (debate) (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, with today's decision to end Eva Kaili's Vice-Presidency, we have sent a strong signal. Europe is not for sale, never. That was also a necessary signal, because this corruption scandal touches the heart of our European Parliament, of our European project. Everything about Qatar – and I think everyone has already said it here – should be back on the table, starting with …

22 Nov

2022

NL Speech

EU response to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran (debate)

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Mr President, we have already heard about the brutal crackdown on demonstrators in Iran with many ordinary people being arrested, children being killed. As Mrs Ries said: It doesn't really stop, and we have to be honest: There is nothing to justify the Iranian regime's actions. Because women can stand up for their freedom, women can protest against oppression, everyone has the right to take to the…

22 Nov

2022

NL Speech

EU-China relations (debate)

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Mr President, after the October European Summit, I was relieved. I thought, Mr. Borrell: Our leaders have finally understood. They finally understood that the friendship between China and Russia would have consequences for our relations with China. They have finally understood that we need to be united and that we need to reduce certain dependencies. But then, a few days after the summit and almos…

10 Nov

2022

NL Speech

Racial justice, non-discrimination and anti-racism in the EU (debate)

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Mr President, racism and discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin are a daily reality for millions of Europeans. There are so many people who are treated badly because of their skin color or religion. So do my children and husband, because of their dark skin tone. As a mother and a politician, I am very concerned about the rise of the far right in Europe. She reminds me of how deeply r…

6 Oct

2022

NL Speech

The urgent need for an EU strategy on fertilisers to ensure food security in Europe (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the income of our farmers is at an absolute low and a sector that was already in crisis is sinking even deeper into the red. The price increases, colleagues, I have to tell you, are not normal. Fertiliser prices have doubled, tripled, energy prices more than doubled and feed costs have also increased enormously. And the proceeds? Proceeds remain the same. This week, Com…

5 Oct

2022

NL Speech

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

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Mr President, High Representative, colleagues, after seven months of war, the threat of an escalation, even a military escalation, a nuclear escalation, is greater than ever. Everything shows Putin's despair because his war failed. But, colleagues, a desperate Putin is a danger to the world. He will continue to use all means to destabilize us, to scare us, and above all to divide us. Do we allow t…

4 Oct

2022

EN Speech

The death of Mahsa Amini and the repression of women's rights protesters in Iran (debate)

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Dear President, thank you very much and good evening, dear High Representative, dear colleagues, over 100 deaths and still counting, we all know the brutal story. Public protests in Iran broke out after Amini died in custody after she was arrested for not wearing the hijab correctly. We cannot close our eyes to these atrocities. We must pursue a clear strategy in which we put women’s rights on the…

4 Oct

2022

NL Speech

Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices (debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, I would finally say! Finally, after our first call in 2020, we are here today to give the green light to that necessary universal charger. We all know and you all said it: it is good for the consumer, good for the consumer's wallet and good for our environment. Done with drawers full of cables. And if you're looking for one, you'll never find the right one. You have …

14 Sep

2022

NL Speech

State of the Union (debate)

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Madam President, Mrs von der Leyen, thank you for your speech. Today you have once again given the European Union a human face. You spoke courageously about Ukraine. You were very firm about these Russian sanctions. And when it comes to energy, you were actually completely on our line: revenue skimming, price cap. I would have liked to have had a better schedule. A very strict and very concrete ti…