Speeches

Mr President, I would like to thank you very much. Dear Commissioner, It is my pleasure to speak my own language for the first time. Georgia belongs to Europe, but we are losing Georgia. What is happening there is worrying. The democratic principles that Georgia was on its way to respecting are under serious threat from aggressive Russian influence. The parliamentary elections, which were supposed to confirm the will of the people and Georgia's pro-European course, have unfortunately exacerbated the country's withdrawal from this path. We cannot ignore such a situation. We must ask whether the European Union should continue its support for Georgia in a situation where democratic values are collapsing. Restoring the visa requirement must be considered and we should do so selectively – targeting sanctions against oligarchs and abusers of power, but not punishing ordinary citizens. The European Union must not leave the Georgian people alone, but we must not allow our support to go to those who abuse power and turn Georgia away from European values. For the same reason, we must suspend all development cooperation with the Georgian authorities, but continue to support, for example, independent media.

Madam President, dear colleagues, recently the need to improve Europe's competitiveness has been a central topic. Even Draghi's report has highlighted the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its position in the global economy. If we are serious about this goal, we must prioritise investment in research, innovation and technological development. The EU budget for 2025 must reflect this commitment. Our ability to keep pace with global leaders like the United States and China depends on it. The counterproposal to reduce research funding by EUR 450 million is not sustainable. It threatens our innovative capacity and also weakens our competitiveness. By investing in science, we can provide our industries the opportunity to take the lead in high-value sectors and create new jobs. I believe we should support the increase in research and development funding to 3 % of GDP.

Mr President, honourable Members, dear colleagues, in 2022, Moldova took the important step of becoming a candidate country for EU membership. It was a bold move by a nation that has long-faced manipulation and pressure from Russia, with parts of its territory still under occupation. Moldova's European path is not just a political choice, but a commitment to freedom and democracy. The EU has a crucial role in supporting Moldova's path. The war in Ukraine also directly affects democratic and independent Moldova and its road to EU accession. What Moldova is facing right now is not an isolated attack. It is a threat to all nations striving for democracy and peace. As we approach Moldova's presidential elections and referendum, we can be certain that Russia escalates hybrid warfare tactics. Russian propaganda, disinformation campaigns and attempts to disrupt democratic processes will increase in the coming weeks. The responsibility also lies with Moldova itself to ensure that the upcoming elections and referendum are free, fair and democratic. As Moldova navigates a crucial period, we must be more ambitious with our assistance.