Speeches

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. Let’s be crystal clear. Deporting children of war is a war crime. And I therefore welcome the arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court against Putin. I also welcome the initiative of President von der Leyen to organise a conference on this tragedy, and as Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Children’s Rights, I can only say ‘you have our full support’. Organise it – we will help you. Colleagues, the most important thing we have to say here today, as the European Parliament: we know where a lot of children are so bring them home. Take them back to their families. That’s our duty.

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 Scholz, Charles Michel, Pedro Sánchez, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen. And you too, Mr. Borrell, would go. Everyone with their specific message. Instead of going to China one by one with those specific messages, we'd better determine what our message is right now, and then go together. Only then, Mrs von der Leyen, will Europe be strong enough to stand up to China. We know very clearly what that message should be. We have approved here in this House my report on a renewed China strategy. And you too, Mr Borrell, were actually very clear in your speech. I thought they were very academic – because now we will have to do it politically – but you were actually very clear about the four priorities. I think there is a consensus on the content. We will not accept Chinese military support to Russia. We will not accept the use of force in the Taiwan Strait. And we will not close our eyes to systematic human rights violations. But, of course, we remain open to working with China on crucial challenges, such as climate change. Now we must act together and not let ourselves be played out by China's divide-and-rule strategy. Mr Weber, you are just getting into that! Stop that. Don't let us break up. This is what China wants. We must, of course, focus on strategic autonomy. We need to send this message to China. The truth is very simple, colleagues: We cannot afford the luxury of being divided over China. We have way too much to lose.

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, we really need to focus on those weapons, and we are going to have to buy them together at European level. We need to increase defence production, strengthen the defence sector. And for me, Mr Michel – I see you nodding – this is also the beginning of a European army. Buy those weapons in common and have the political courage to decide on the creation of a European army. That is a very clear objective for me. Secondly, Ukraine. Second priority: Ukraine and sanctions. We will continue to murmur in this House until those 6 000 names are on that list of sanctions. We have Guy Verhofstadt with Navalny. We will continue to strive for this. The third priority: Ukraine and the future. What is the future of Ukraine? I think, ladies and gentlemen, that only Ukraine will decide that. Russia will not determine this. China will not determine this. We need to help build Ukraine's European future. Because it is important – I think – that Ukraine wins that war. Not only for the future of Ukraine, but also for us as a European Union. And colleagues, Europe must not be the playing field of the other great powers. Europe must play its part as a great power and that requires unity. And Mr Michel, I was a little worried yesterday when I read the rumors that there was a difference in vision around China policy. I really don't think we should make the mistake of looking at China in a divided way. Mrs. von der Leyen is no longer here, but pass on that message. I certainly hope that you will be on the same page as far as China is concerned, and that we will not make the mistake we made with Russia. This legislation on critical materials is really necessary. We have to bet on that. And finally, we must take control of our own destiny. So I make a real appeal, Mr Michel, for the Council to come up with unanimity and firm decisions. Renew Europe supports you in this.

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 voted broadly in favour of an excellent report by me on China, in which we said: “For China policies, we need to engage with equal partners.” Now I ask you the question, Mr Borrell: Was there an exchange of data? Have the United States, as a good partner, exchanged data with us, Europe, as if China were supplying weapons to Russia in the conflict that exists there? That's a question about transatlantic relations. And at: You were actually shared between the Council and the Commission, were you not? What is your position now? Are you following Mrs von der Leyen or are you following Charles Michel on China policy? Are you influenced by the attitude of the United States towards China? That is clearly a question about transatlantic relations.

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 its teeth. We must ensure that Ukraine gets the resources it needs without delay, including fighter jets, tanks and ammunition. We also need to create a Europe that has hair on its teeth. Several Member States are currently questioning how to better organise their defence. However, this issue needs to be addressed at EU level. Mrs von der Leyen, we must immediately establish a defence union and a European armed force. Finally, we are now on the tenth package of sanctions. We have a list of six thousand names, but we add only a few banks and names to each new package. We need to add these six thousand names. Let's say to Putin together: ‘Putin, you will never win the war!’

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 information stems from the reports of Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Human Rights Commission, which are clear evidence of this. As we have just mentioned, these problems are known, as are the solutions. Unfortunately, unlike problems, solutions remain on paper. Europe, Commissioner, Commissioner, Europe must exert its full weight to facilitate the implementation of these solutions, such as the implementation of the Luanda Roadmap or the Nairobi process. The suffering has lasted long enough in this powder magazine, which risks causing the whole region to flare up if nothing is done. Martin Luther King said: ‘I am not afraid of the wickedness of the bad, but of the silence of honest people.’ So let’s break this silence and denounce this barbarism in order to put an end to it. And to the Congolese people, I say: you are on the path of democracy, with a great challenge, that of organising elections. Do not let the enemies of democracy make you deviate from this path, because they have never tasted it. Amani tuenu!

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 those who work very hard in difficult circumstances. I would ask the Commissioner to do more for Mesut, Aya and all affected families. There needs to be a Marshall Plan with shelter in the region. Moreover, we must not close our eyes to Erdoğan's mismanagement and must condemn the censorship of this autocrat. Finally, we must not forget Syria and we must ensure that everyone is helped. In many areas where there is no help, one has to fight for survival. Humanitarian aid should never be part of a political game.

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-state solution is the only way forward. Commissioner, we believe that Europe should play a role in this, contribute to that two-state solution, no matter how difficult the situation. That is why we ask you very clearly – to the Commission – to launch a European peace initiative. Organize an international conference as a first step. Make it clear to the next Israeli government that the occupation of the Palestinian territories must stop. Make it clear to the Palestinian Authority that it needs to get its own house in order. And resolutely condemn the violence on both sides. In 2022, the world – and we know this – has not become safer. But this conflict deserves our continued attention. That's our job. This Parliament is counting on you.

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 visa-free travel. We must cooperate fully with the judicial investigation, in which the Belgian services have done an excellent job. But this is just the beginning. We need to give full transparency to all lobbying contacts in and around the European Parliament and see how the other European institutions deal with them. And it's wider. We must rigorously follow the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on foreign interference. We're a target, we need to realize that. This calls for a coordinated European approach and a genuine committee of inquiry. Colleagues, interventions should be done on the basis of vision, on the basis of conviction, and not on the basis of money in your bank account. Let this be a turning point.

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 streets against that oppression. I have to say: I am very proud of the measures taken by our President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to say: no more official meetings of the European Parliament with the Iranian authorities. But we also expect very clear actions from you, Commissioner. We ask that you clearly support an independent investigation. I think that's where it all starts. And also ensure that those who co-direct repression are subject to targeted sanctions. As a woman, it breaks my heart to see that in many countries it is still very dangerous to be born as a woman, as a girl. That it's dangerous to take to the streets just because you want freedom. We have to turn the tide.

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 almost immediately after the Chinese party congress, the German Chancellor decides to go to China on a business trip. And he goes alone. On the purchase, he does not see why the sale of part of the port of Hamburg to China can be problematic. Is this what Chancellor Scholz meant after Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Are these the lessons we learn? If we do not want to make the same mistake as with our relations with Russia, we must start implementing a more united and assertive policy towards China. That is the strategy, Mr Borrell, which this Parliament called for in my report last year. I'm closing. (Mr Borrell has also been allowed to go far beyond his speaking time.) We can only be a Europe with a voice in the world if we are united. Do the same with China.

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 rooted racism and discrimination are in our society, how it dehumanises individuals, how it turns people into monsters and how deadly hatred can be. We must stand up and take urgent action. There is no place for racism in Europe. It is not our origin that counts, but our future.

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, Commissioner, the Flemish figures of our Flemish farmers were published. This shows that operating costs have increased by 25 % across all sectors of the farm stockpile and that 93 % of turnover actually goes to costs. You told me a while ago, Commissioner, how many farmers are disappearing in Europe every day. Do you remember that number? That was a thousand per day, colleagues, a thousand farmers per day disappearing in Europe. I ask you now, Commissioner, do you know the current figures? Mr President, I shall conclude, because it is an important issue here. I want to make a call here. Let's ... (the President took the floor)

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 that? Or do we remain one determined European bloc as at the start of the war? The cold winter should not break our unity. Why does the Commission continue to refuse to introduce a European gas price cap? Why does the Council continue to allow Hungary to determine the strength of our sanctions? And why is the engine of our economy still playing soloslim instead of opting for European solutions? On Friday, European leaders will meet at an informal Council. Informally or not, important, big decisions have to be made. The most important thing for me is that European response to the energy crisis. We must make full use of our European strength. Or as our Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo put it: We can't use a loner now. It is time to recognize the urgency of this crisis.

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 top of the agenda. As Madeleine Albright once said: “there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help women”. Therefore, Mr Borrell, if you don’t want to go to hell – and I think you don’t want to go to hell – I really urge you: provide access to our European universities, support civil society in their fight for women’s rights, protect human rights defenders and target directly the leaders and people who are responsible for these crimes. Let’s never give up on women, the life and the liberty in Iran. They need our help.

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 them all lying there, you put them in the air again, because it really is a tangle of chargers that we finally get rid of! That is much needed, because do you know that no less than 311 million smartphones were sold in the first quarter of this year, each with its own charger? That will be done by now. Consumers will be able to decide: Yes, I'm buying a cable, or no, I'm not buying a cable. Moreover, the benefit to the environment is enormous. I think Sara said it too: 13 000 tonnes of electronic waste from unused cables that we can actually avoid. I just need this from the heart: It's too slow for me. It will start in 2024. For me, it can go into effect today. I think another colleague has already asked the question: Is it too much power from industry or too little power from Europe? I can only say, Commissioner, that I am still trying to push it so that it will go faster and so that we have that much-needed universal charger in our closet very quickly!

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 timetable, that is what the citizens are asking of us. So I hope you can come up with that very strict timetable in the coming days. And you would not blame me, but I was surprised – as I know you very well – that you did not say anything here about the European Defence Union and, as far as I am concerned, about that European army. So maybe you can give us some hope right away, because we need this. And a second point, Mrs von der Leyen: We had that convention. We've had those citizens' panels. They have put forward great proposals. Make the convention work now! If we are to give Europe a place in the world, we must abolish that unanimity. Just do that! You have our support.

Mr President, High Representative, we have known for a very long time that China has its eyes on Taiwan, and yet the situation has never been so alarming. China’s threats following Nancy Pelosi’s visit, its military exercises, and unprecedented crossings of the median line are unacceptable. Experts even say China’s actions are a dress rehearsal for an invasion. Dear High Representative, the US warned us over Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine and we refused to see reality. We must not make the same mistake again. We now have two options: either we continue our ‘wait and see’ strategy, as we did for too long with Russia, or we decide to act. And my choice is very clear. Therefore, I really ask you today to show our support to Taiwan by working on that investment agreement. Work on a contingency plan, together with like-minded partners, in the event of an escalation and make European defence a reality. It’s the only way to have a say in this geopolitical area.

I have one last question, Mr. Borrell. Last night we had a meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. We discussed an opinion of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. This was mainly about how Europe should function now. Because actually – and it is perhaps naughty what I am going to say now – the biggest problem Europe has now is how it is functioning at the moment. We had the Conference on the Future of Europe. We have had all those citizens' panels that have made excellent proposals. My question to you is: Do you agree to implement these proposals? I'll call them you: to move very quickly towards the abolition of unanimity, start a convention, creating that European army – I keep repeating it, every week – and finally Strengthen your own role: Make sure that we have a real foreign minister of the European Union in the future.

Mr Borrell, a lot of questions have been asked in the meantime, which shows that we are very concerned. I think that Europe has clearly shown its teeth thanks to the unity in its response to Russia in response to the crisis with Ukraine. My question is how we're going to preserve that unity. We all know that we need to expand the sanctions list. How will you deal with maintaining unity in expanding the sanctions list? And what are we going to do about Russian disinformation? Because it is problematic. A second question. You know my views on the European Defence Union. If this is not the time when we are taking mega-steps forward, then I don't know when that will happen. You just said you're not the defence minister of Europe. I wish I'd had it. I would have liked you to be Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence. But what steps are you going to push through or coordinate? Call it what you want, but we will have to go to that European army very quickly. And a third question. Very briefly: nuclear safety. You say: “Yes, we need to talk and act diplomatically.” As a citizen, I am really concerned about nuclear safety. Your answer is a little vague. Could that be more concrete?

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the summer of 2022 was marked by extreme drought, the worst drought in 500 years. Once again, our farmers are among the hardest hit, while the agricultural sector was already in crisis. Between 2005 and 2016, as many as a thousand farms per day disappeared in Europe. A thousand, colleagues, because farmers are the weakest link in the chain and there was a crisis: high production costs, low prices, the war in Ukraine, and now that extreme drought is added. I want to express the voice of the farmers here today. I want to call you: Have an emergency plan with: increased agricultural support for risk prevention and management, increased support for water management; Increased resources for research and innovation. Thereafter, colleagues, there should be a structural agricultural plan. We must tackle all problems together, ensure that farmers are a strong link in the chain, ensure that they are strong at the global level and ensure that production costs are reduced. We really need to defend the place of farmers in Europe. Mr President, I am a farmer's daughter and I will continue to fight here in Parliament for the survival of farming in Europe.

Mr President, the decision taken by the Council to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova was actually the only right decision. Great promises were also made to the Balkans. But what surprises me is that not a single word was actually spoken about how the Union should function with 30 or 35 members. Leaders took note of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe, while we all know that some things need to change in Europe. We still know how Orbán used that unanimity at the last summit. We know that this unanimity is a godsend for the autocrats in the Union and outside the Union. Here in Parliament, we have been debating a number of shortcomings in the Union for years. That is why we – and we as liberals have pushed for that – pushed at that conference, pushed for the conclusions, pushed for that convention. That is why – but he is already gone – I would very much like to ask our Charles Michel: Please promise me that you will fight for that convention and that you will fight for the abolition of unanimity. You have my support.

Madam President, it was a lively debate, I think we can say, this evening. An overturn of the Roe v. Wade would be a tragedy – I think everybody said that already. Not just for women in the US but also for women in Europe. The ones who make women suffer in the US are also active here, and they are successful in their repression. We even heard some today here in this Parliament. In Poland, there is a near—total ban on abortion and the PiS will even introduce a pregnancy register to control women. In several EU Member States, abortion is a crime. Anti-abortion activists claim that they are saving lives but the results, colleagues, are unsafe abortions and maternal deaths. They force women to have an abortion even when they are victims of a rape. Can you imagine? Colleagues, the anti—abortionists don’t save lives. So we have to make sure that the right to abortion becomes a fundamental right. Let us work to decriminalise abortion in our Member States and let us fight for the inclusion of the right to abortion in the EU Charter for Fundamental Rights. My body, my rights – are you with me?

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, today I want to talk about two issues, namely sanctions and European defence. It is good, Mr Michel, that we finally have an agreement on that sixth package of sanctions. But let us be honest, it was a little too late for us in Parliament. And on sale – I think it was Mr Weber who said it: “I actually succumbed to Mr Orbán’s blackmail.” – twice actually succumbed! I know, our unity is important, but isn't it high time we took power from those autocrats and stopped that unanimity? It is really high time for me, and I hope that we will continue to record this here in Parliament on Thursday. And then the good news, and then I turn more to Ursula von der Leyen. The good news is European defence. Leaders have finally said: ‘We are going for a true European defence.’ Parliament has very often said about this: “Let’s stop the fragmentation, stop the waste of those resources.” We spend as much on defence as China, four times more than Russia, and yet we are actually a military dwarf. So, let us now turn Europe into a military industrial bloc, and as far as I am concerned, Mrs von der Leyen, a true European army. You have my support. Go for that.

Mr President, there is no place in Europe for this Turkey where journalists are attacked, opposition members are suppressed and violence against women seems to be accepted, and which disregards binding rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. Not membership, but partnership. Turkey is an important strategic partner; This became even clearer during the war in Ukraine. However, this does not mean that Europe must deny its values. I sometimes wonder why Erdoğan still wants to join the European Union. He fools Europe every day. Think of his blackmail during the migration crisis or, more recently, as a partner within NATO, where he opposes the accession of Sweden and Finland. Can someone like him be called a partner? I am therefore very pleased that Parliament is taking a very clear position today: Turkey cannot join.