Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity is one of the most important commitments presented as a part of the Strategic Compass in March last year. After our experiences in Afghanistan, it was clear that there is a need for EU capacity for crisis response in various operational scenarios, including evacuation, initial entry and phased stabilisation operations. This flagship initiative will offer a quick and effective response to the immediate crisis. We need to ensure that this new capacity is designed to reflect the new geopolitical context with its permanent operational headquarters, adequate funding, personnel, infrastructure and integrated secure communications. In that regard, I welcome the findings of the first annual progress report on the implementation of the Strategic Compass that stated that the conceptual development of the Rapid Deployment Capacity has progressed. Once operational, it will allow us not only to be a stronger ally within our EU-NATO cooperation framework, but it will also be an important step towards becoming a real and a credible actor in the world.

Madam President, Commissioner, the European Union and Iraq have a long-standing partnership that has helped promote stability and security in the region. The European Union has been one of the largest donors to Iraq, providing significant financial and technical assistance worth over EUR 1 billion since 2003. This aid has been instrumental in supporting Iraq, in addressing the complex challenges it faces, including security threats, economic recovery and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. This includes the European Union Advisory Mission, which still plays a key role in assisting the Iraqi authorities in implementing the civilian security sector reform. I welcome the recent third meeting of the Cooperation Council of the European Union and Iraq, which reaffirmed our commitment to support Iraq’s efforts towards political reform and economic rehabilitation. Iraq now stands at a political and economic crossroads. We are ready to deepen our cooperation and to work with Iraq on ensuring peace, stability and the development of the country.

Mr President, dear High Representative, dear colleagues, the recent events in Peru have demonstrated that democracy is fragile and can be threatened at any moment. Last year, the constitutional transition of power has helped to protect Peru’s democracy and the rule of law. But the country still faces significant challenges. The political crisis caused months’ long protests that are destabilising the country and having a negative impact on Peru’s already struggling economy. I strongly urge all parties to respect and safeguard the right to peaceful protest and condemn any use of violence or excessive force. It is now essential that all actors engage in inclusive national dialogue in order to find a compromise that ensures political stability and addresses the social and political issues that have led to this crisis. Peru is a close partner of the EU and we remain committed to supporting the rule of law and constitutional order in the country. We are ready to offer our assistance and to be an honest broker in order to help Peru overcome the crisis.

Dear President, dear colleagues, today we are at a crucial juncture in our relations with China. While we acknowledge China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival, our bilateral relations have become increasingly challenging in recent years. China’s recent assertive actions in the Strait of Taiwan and its ambiguous stance on the Russian aggression in Ukraine have further affected our relations. In this geopolitically volatile world, the European Union must take a unified position on China while working closely with our transatlantic and Pacific allies. I welcome the recent visit of President von der Leyen to China as it underscores our commitment to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with China. Nevertheless, even as we seek to build stronger relations with China, we must remain steadfast in highlighting human rights abuses, maintaining a rules—based international order, and promoting fair trade and investment practices. The economy is important, but above all it is crucial that we stand behind our values.

Madam President, thank you very much, and thank you very much once again Commissioner. I took on board all the speeches by my colleagues. Once again, thanks very much to the shadows and for their, once again, constructive speech. I think this is a very critical report. This is a report that deals with Azerbaijan as a whole, as a country, and what needs to be improved. The European Union should work on human rights and respect for media freedoms, and respect for women – that’s the most important thing. Women are the ones who will change that society. That society will change either way, but women are the force that will change it, regardless of whether they prevent the marches on International Women’s Day. Tomorrow, we have a very important speech on that, really, most important celebration. So, thank you. It’s not easy: the European Union can play a really honest broker in this, in the South Caucasus; if we don’t play it here – where we need both countries on board and we need to take both countries from malign influence, from Russia, from Türkiye, from Iran and from all these countries that will never contribute to the democratisation of the societies – then we will not succeed anywhere else. So this report is a first step on this. Thank you once again, and I hope that you will support the report tomorrow at the plenary vote.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, this is the first comprehensive European Parliament report on EU-Azerbaijan relations since 2018, and it comes at a crucial time for our mutual relations. Given the current geopolitical uncertainty, the report sheds light on the state of relations between the EU and Azerbaijan. As Azerbaijan is a strategic supplier of fossil fuel energy, it is essential that EU and Azerbaijan work on enhanced cooperation outside the energy sector. It is in the EU interest to build on the strategic cooperation and economic integration with Azerbaijan, but we should also continue to promote human rights and democratic standards in the country. Respecting freedom of speech and the rights of minorities also contributes to the peaceful coexistence and security of everyone in the South Caucasus. The current negotiations on the new bilateral comprehensive EU-Azerbaijan Agreement should follow this approach. I welcome the increased diplomatic activity of the EU in the region and encourage the EU to prioritise preventive diplomacy as an honest broker in the region, including through promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue. The EU should not repeat the mistakes of the past, when other malign actors took advantage of our passivity to gain influence in this region, which is crucial for European security and stability. It is vital that Azerbaijan and Armenia come to a timely agreement on a sustainable peace treaty while respecting the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The report also highlights the importance of the rights and security of the Armenian population residing in Nagorno-Karabakh and the prompt and safe return of all refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. We call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to address all concerns relating to the functioning of the Lachin corridor through dialogue and consultations. Therefore, plenary amendments welcome the recent talks between Karabakh Armenians’ and Azerbaijani representatives. Border demarcation and delineation are also critical components covered in the report. The report denounces the destruction of cultural, religious and historical heritage since the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Urgent action is required and we call for a UNESCO mission to the region. Building strong relations with our neighbours is crucial, and this report can serve as a framework for future cooperation. Finally, let me thank you, the shadow rapporteurs, for an excellent cooperation.

Madam President, it’s very strange, after so many years being a student in the UK and after Erasmus also, to discuss this famous agreement that has been reached, the Windsor Agreement. Well done, Commissioner Šefčovič, to you and your team, and I hope that we will continue on this path with the other files that we have on microstates, because everyone is looking to what we are doing with the UK. After so many years, it’s quite sad that we are also discussing the peace agreement, the Good Friday Agreement, and well done to all those who contributed so that we no longer have to fear a hard border. I lived in London during the years when this instability caused many fears, and I think this is the greatest achievement that President von der Leyen has achieved with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This is something that we should praise at the European Parliament after the sad fact that the UK has left us. So, on behalf of the Cult Committee, we will be doing and assessing the damage that has left on all those who are not privileged and who were beneficiaries of Erasmus exchanges. And we need to build bridges in the future with the UK, with their students and also with our young people. These damages in the future can be enormous if we don’t return to Erasmus. That’s something to be discussed in the future.

Mr President, High Commissioner, Israel has been a democracy in the last 75 years. Actually they are having many elections, they had three elections in last four years and they have quite a heated debate. And as we gather today to discuss the recent protest in Israel, my sincere hope is that the Israeli society will come together to find a compromise on this debate. I would like to take a moment as well to address the ongoing escalating wave of violence not seen in the last 15 years. With the greatest sadness, we are continuing to witness the loss of innocent lives in both Israel and Palestine. We need an active diplomacy and it’s quite urgent, and dialogue to end this conflict. I commend the effort of the US, Jordan and Egypt in trying to de-escalate the situation through the Aqaba Communique of 26 February 2023. The EU can also play an important role as an honest broker in this process. Countries in the region and the conflicting parties should continue to work towards de-escalation to achieve long-lasting peace and prevent more unnecessary deaths. Please. That’s the task for the EU and we can really play a constructive role in this.

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, over the last year and a half, the political-economic situation to Tunisia has deteriorated. After shutting down the parliament in 2021, the president has changed the constitution, seized control of the independent electoral commission and the judiciary, and held elections with a historically low turnout of only 11 %. Tunisia is a key country for the European Union in the southern neighbourhood, especially in terms of cooperation in the area of migration. We are committed to supporting the people in Tunisia in overcoming the financial and economic crisis, but stand firm on the need to improve the respect for the rule of law, democracy and human rights. I call on President Saied to start an inclusive national dialogue to overcome the crisis and return to the path Tunisians set in 2011.

Yes, could I just ask Mr Commissioner, are you aware of the knowledge of the constitutional framework of the people who are representing citizens here in this building? And that without cutting the funds – if we cut funds for one part of the country, Bosnia Herzegovina will not receive anything. So can you just let us know is there any pedagogy that the Commission will try to use in the future?

Thank you very much. Dear Commissioner, thank you once again for your really good and compassionate behaviour when we were negotiating IPA III. In my last legislature, I was really worried why all this money that was used for migration waves was taken away from Bosnia and Herzegovina, because Bosnia and Herzegovina, at that time, I got the answer, didn’t have the absorption capacity to use the money. Bosnia and Herzegovina got candidate status. Thank you for that. But I recently had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina; he’s a good guy, who will side with European affairs, with European policies, and not with Iran, like the last minister. So I want you to support the new government. I want you to help Bosnia and Herzegovina get this absorption capacity and not lag behind all the other countries in the Western Balkans. Because now we have Ukraine, we have Georgia, we have Moldova, but we do not have a bigger IPA. So until that time, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be like an orphan left alone and be a political tool in this Parliament for the people who do not have a clue what people need in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They need the young people to use this money and to get the country away from the interference of third countries and into the European Union.

Madam President, Madam Commissioner, we should not close our eyes after our retreat from Afghanistan and forget about the peacebuilding efforts of the last decades. We should not let apartheid against women flourish. With the takeover by the Taliban, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has severely deteriorated, and I deeply deplore the recent ban by the Taliban of all the activities of female aid workers. In a humanitarian crisis, women and children are the most vulnerable, and it is often female aid workers that can deliver the highly—needed assistance to these groups and reach the most remote communities. I call on the EU diplomatic service therefore to work on the removal of these restrictions and to make further humanitarian aid conditional on lifting this ban. Furthermore, more needs to be done against the threat posed by terrorist groups that reside, train and operate in Afghanistan. While the international engagement in Afghanistan was exactly to fight against terrorism, these groups are getting stronger again. They form a danger for Afghani people, their neighbouring countries and the wider world. Mistakes from the past should not be repeated. Security should be safeguarded.

Madam President, High Commissioner, I would like to congratulate the rapporteurs for the CFSP and CSDP reports, Mr McAllister and Mr Vandenkendelaere, for their excellent work. They managed to cover a very challenging year from a foreign and security perspective. Our security has been directly challenged. A new war has emerged in our neighbourhood. China continues to play an assertive role in the Pacific. As the report rightly states, we need stronger EU-NATO cooperation and updated European Peace Facility and a boost for our relations with international partners. Regarding the Western Balkans, the EU stepped up its engagement on the enlargement agenda and I very warmly welcome the decision to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a peace and security decision as well. However, this candidate status is not the end of the ride, but should stimulate the domestic leaders to speed up the reform process. Because even after the welcome change of the electoral law last October, Croats still don’t have their elected representative with the Presidency – and that affects the voting. Don’t forget the voting in the UN when they abstained on a crucial European security issue and the vote against Iran, damaging policy. As mentioned in the CSFP report, it is time to show the principles of equality and non-discrimination for all citizens and constituent people as enshrined in the country’s constitution. That is a major security issue, Mr High Representative.

Madam President, the EPP has decided to withdraw from a debate on the urgencies and negotiations. But after a meeting of the Conference of Presidents, an agreement was reached on all the urgencies: the procedure will go through your office to check that the rule of 500 words is being respected. We understand that we reached the agreement on this issue, but unfortunately we have not tabled our proposals for these plenary sessions. And it’s quite sad and strange that, as a rapporteur for Azerbaijan who is preparing a report that will be voted in AFET in forthcoming sessions, we will reduce the serious issue of the Lachin corridor only to 500 words. And I think it’s these urgencies that will be debated and discussed this session. I ask all our colleagues to be a bit more serious about the issue and ask for a full debate. I do not know if this can be changed, but this issue requires a full debate at these plenary sessions because the humanitarian situation there is dire.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, in the light of the ongoing criminal investigations into a corrupt network of some individual Members, former MEPs and assistants in the European Parliament, the EPP Group is extremely concerned about the integrity of the foreign policy positions of the European Parliament, as expressed in the urgency resolutions and procedures as foreseen in Rule 144 of the House. Before we can establish with certainty that the integrity of the procedure and the network does not remain compromised by third countries like Qatar, we should stop all work on the urgency resolutions. We simply cannot continue with our business as usual. We must take bold and radical decisions to stop the damage of this corrupt network of individual Members, former MEPs, and assistants from spreading further into our parliamentary work. The EPP Group has therefore decided that it will not sign any urgency resolution, not take part in any preparation, negotiations or plenary debates in the context of the urgency resolutions.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, I fully subscribe to the conclusion of the Commission’s 2022 report on the rule of law that states that independent and free media are the watchdogs of democracy and are key for the rule of law. Free media is helping to inform and empower citizens and allow them to contribute to the democratic debate. Therefore, I underline the importance that both local and national media reflect the cultural, linguistic and social diversity of our societies. Unfortunately, journalists and other media actors continue to face violence, threats and harassment in the European Union. Recent legislative reforms have limited these abuses in our Member States, and I welcome supportive action by the Commission in this regard. But more needs to be done. We need to safeguard transparency of ownership and funding of media providers. We should establish actions that help in the fight against disinformation and provide measures for the prevention of corruption. Journalists deserve to operate with a free mind and without external pressure.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, I had a speech prepared but I was shocked with the speeches here. I think it was Churchill who said that if you don’t want to solve a problem, you create a commission – and we have a huge problem here and a new commission will not resolve this problem, which is the problem of democracy and the truth. The Foreign Affairs Committee has all these sub—committees that are dealing with the truth – the DROI Committee, and we are now shocked at what is going on there. Our urgency resolutions – in two days, via civil societies, they are trying to change the order of the truth and the facts and none of us here is able to fight this I would say closed circle of friends who are still unable to face the truth. 15 years ago in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they introduced a law to stop this NGO being financed by foreign interference, and the European Union with its own democracy is not able to face the truth and see that NGOs – doubtful NGOs – that are using the names and reputation of some honourable persons are being used as laundromats and that we are being here influenced by these people. It doesn’t matter which autocracy, it is still not a democracy. So we should face the truth and finally start dealing with it, because without that we will lose our reputation and our credibility forever.

–Mr President, tomorrow’s Council meeting promises to be a historic one. Today is a historic date: 27 years ago the Dayton Paris Peace Accord was signed in Paris. If the leaders of the Member States follow the recommendation of the Commission and their own ministers on European affairs, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be granted a candidate status. That means Bosnia and Herzegovina is sailing towards permanent peace and stability. We forgot this country, but we were awakened with the terrible war in Ukraine and we have to really take care of Bosnia and Herzegovina to find permanent peace and stability, in changing electoral law and giving all their people chances to live and to be an anchor of stability for the Western Balkans. This also takes us back with the discussion that the Council will tomorrow have on EU security and defence policy and the implementation of the strategic compass. The current security challenges and the ongoing conflicts in our wider neighbourhood are reminders that we need a more proactive and preventive diplomacy. We can learn from the EU actions in the South Caucasus and avoid the mistakes made in conflict areas such as the Sahel and Afghanistan. Member States need to step away from their individual interests and start building a joint capacity in external security policy.

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, I wholeheartedly support the idea of a negotiated two-State solution. It would bring an end to a long-lasting conflict in the Middle East and allow the states of Israel and Palestine to live side by side with guarantees for the region’s peace and security. Unfortunately, we have witnessed the continuation of the political stalemate and an increase of escalation with the use of military power, incitement to violence and terrorist attacks against security forces and citizens. These actions are incompatible with the peaceful resolution to the conflict and also further settlements would undermine the process. With the Abraham Accords, Israel has shown its wish to better its relations with the other Arab states. It also recently settled the maritime dispute with Lebanon. Based on these improvements with the region, parties can build the support to resume the negotiations, which did not take place since 2014. Peace in the Middle East is a key priority for the EU and we have to continue investing in the trust building and reconciliation process. I urge the External Action Service and EU Member States to enhance their cooperation with the parties involved and work towards the normalisation of relations and to oppose any acts that undermine the prospect of a two-State solution.

Mr President, Commissioner, I deeply deplore the recent attacks against the educational institutions in Afghanistan and call on the authorities to hold those responsible accountable. The deteriorating situation for women and girls in Afghanistan continues to be of grave concern. Since the Taliban took power, they have undone women’s position in society, removed them from public life, closed secondary schools for girls, and restricted women’s right to freedom of movement, employment and political participation. I strongly condemn this systematic rollback. With our resolution, we send a strong message of support to all those women and girls that are affected. We demand respect for and protection of their rights. We urge to ensure that broad education is equally accessible for all, for boys and girls, and in line with UNESCO’s standards and principles. In the end, I was in Peshawar five years ago, where they repatriated these women. I still remember the sad eyes of the girl who spoke to me and who said that the only thing she wants in her life is to get an education, but her father doesn’t allow her that. She is in Afghanistan somewhere now. I wish her well and I wish that her situation changes.

Dear Chairman, Dear Commissioner Várhelyi, (Please I will speak Croatian.) in one minute it is difficult to say what this strategy should mean for the Western Balkans, but here, the focus is as always on what has not been done and what needs to be done. My message for Bosnia and Herzegovina is congratulations, I see that coalitions are being formed. I want the future coalition to finally amend the electoral law and make constitutional changes that will put Bosnia and Herzegovina at the forefront of the Western Balkans in the European Union. There's no time. We lost time. This is the last moment when people can reason and instead of emigrating what Bosnia and Herzegovina has best, leave it to build a country, a country of peace, a country of stability, a country that will expand and that will pull the Western Balkans forward. And for everyone else, respect the minorities, respect all those who are not different and who are smaller and weaker than you, because this alone will lead you to Europe. Congratulations.

Dear President, Honourable Vice-President of the Commission, Honourable Commissioner Schinas, Honourable Ambassador Andrassy, first of all I would like to congratulate here and my colleagues and all those who are here with us to celebrate Croatia's entry into the Schengen zone. The most responsible for tonight's celebration is here and our rapporteur Mr. Rangel, I congratulate you for all the commitment you have made to emphasize the importance and everything that the Croatian police, the Croatian Government has done in the past period once again to show that Croatia is the best student of all countries, who have tried, and after one difficult and painstaking effort achieved, to get such a satisfactory assessment for entering the Schengen. Croatia is a country that has defended its territory without anyone's help, Croatia is a country that helps the Western Balkans, Croatia is a country that pulls Bosnia and Herzegovina forward and Croatia is a country that will justify all your expectations and I thank all colleagues, from the left to the right spectrum of this house that I will support massively tomorrow and show that Croatia should celebrate the entry into the eurozone and the entry into the Schengen area in December. Congratulations again and thank you and good luck.

Madam President, I would like to congratulate the Commissioner on the enlargement package. The biggest news of this year’s enlargement package is the welcoming recommendation to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status. I appreciate the call in the report that it is an utmost priority to conclude the electoral reform according to the Constitutional and International Court’s decision, and to accommodate all three constituent people, namely Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs and other minorities in its joint European future. Since the terrible war of aggression against Ukraine started, the EU showed that it will not leave its eastern borders unprotected and it granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. Candidate status for Bosnia and Herzegovina means that we also care for the security on our southern border. Enlargement was, is and will be more than anything else a peace and security project. Therefore, I call on all the countries in the Western Balkans to carefully read these reports as constructive criticism from a friend, from family, and to do the necessary homework to catch up on this momentum. At this moment, all European capitals are focusing on enlargement. Hesitation would be detrimental for the future of Western Balkan countries. Our doors are open and it is cold out there for those who are not part of the family.

Madam President, Vice-President Šefčovič, Minister Bek, ahead of the Council summit. I would like to praise the mediation efforts of President Michel between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is a good example where the European Council plays a role in providing a platform for warring parties and supports the dialogue towards sustainable peace. Unfortunately, similar European efforts of preventive diplomacy are lacking in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Actions such as high-level mediation are needed to stabilise the situation and conclude the final agreement on the necessary electoral reform. The recent Commission recommendation labelled it as the ‘utmost priority’, and so it is for EU Member State Croatia and for European peace and security in general. We need to find to find this just solution for the electoral law that will take into account all three communities and other citizens of a country that went through a terrible war and is still the living consequences of this tragedy. We should not let our transatlantic partners do our job. Let us take our responsibilities and not leave this country up to an experiment and too cold winter for all of those who are left beyond the borders of European Union.

Mr President, High Representative, I deeply regret the death of Mahsa Amini. She was arrested for improperly wearing the hijab, a symbol of faith. She had to experience an inexplicable amount of violence by the Iranian morality police, which led to her death. And it’s as if the faith can come from the force. God is not in beating, but in loving. I strongly condemn the excessive actions by the Iranian authorities against the nationwide protests that have erupted after the incidents. The Iranian people are gathering in the streets to call for freedom – freedom of religion, freedom to exercise their basic human rights. Iran is a party to several international human rights treaties, but they fail to implement the binding principles enshrined in these legal documents. I call on our European diplomatic services and the international community to monitor this process and to push for objective investigation of all other arrests and incidents related to the protests.