Speeches

Mr President! The bestial attack on Ukraine, commanded by the Kremlin, leads to an escape movement of incredible proportions. We are holding this debate in the European Parliament on this refugee movement precisely on International Women's Day. It is therefore particularly appropriate to point out that once again the refugees are mainly women and children, also to point out that once again in world history it is women who take on enormous responsibility to get through these times with children. And it is also an occasion for us to say today – because it is true – that there would be less violence, less brute violence and armed conflicts if women had more to talk about. I strongly believe that it takes men and women to complement each other. But if women had a say in the Kremlin, perhaps this bestial attack would have been if these war crimes had not come about. I would also like to point out that this moment of solidarity in Europe, this historic unity must not only be there now in isolation, as a one-day fly, in a sense, but must be sustainable. Europe must come to a new level of civilization. And I would like to point out what Boris Johnson pointed out yesterday: The UK is still a partner for us. Perhaps the current situation also reminds us that there must be no witch-hunting of Russian people if we impose sanctions that are supposed to be effective because they are supposed to help build peace. But all people are worth the same.

Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, ladies and gentlemen! What do citizens want in the Western Balkans and also in Bosnia-Herzegovina? That should be in the foreground for us. Many from this House, who hold talks and conferences with citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, know this: They want European integration, as the Balkans Barometer shows, year after year. That is why I want to share with the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina that it is here in the European Parliament after 10 p.m. and that we care about the Balkans, the Western Balkans, and that Bosnia-Herzegovina is close to our hearts. This message is important to me. It is also important to me to direct all phantasists, all ideologues, especially Mr. Dodik: Citizens want European integration. They trust European integration. They do not trust the Russian leadership, they do not trust the Chinese leadership, nor do they trust the Turkish leadership – say others in the Western Balkans; They trust European integration. That's what we stand for. Irrational conflicts based on national affiliation, ethnicity, even religion, must belong to history, are not European and will not serve the Western Balkans, will not serve Bosnia-Herzegovina, have set Europe on the right track – and the Western Balkans will succeed.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, this House! I would like to point out two aspects that seem to me to be underexposed in the public debate and, frankly, also in the debate here in the European Parliament. One is that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenka brings together criminal activity and political illegitimate pressure against Europe to take action against our borders: on the one hand, the criminal activity of smuggling, organised smuggling, and on the other hand, the pressure on Europe that the Turkish leadership has actually invented. The other aspect is the one that deserves more attention, especially in this House: Namely, that there is a freedom movement in Belarus, which we should support to the best of our ability, which is colorful, which is diverse and which should give the citizens of Belarus their civil right to democracy and the rule of law in their hands.

Madam President, Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, ladies and gentlemen! There are parts of the world that seek confrontation with Europe. The European model of life does not suit them. The motives for this are very, very different. These can be ideological motives, political motives. They can also be economic motives. They are always very, very short-sighted. And yet this confrontation is sought – by state actors and by non-state actors. We as the European Union consistently defend ourselves against this confrontation, which is expressed in disinformation and which is expressed in the influence of our liberal democracies in Europe from outside Europe, but which is often supported by within Europe. And we need to see that today, by raising awareness, we are creating an understanding of what it means to sow hatred and discord on social media channels, to sow discord between institutions that are democratically legitimate and rule of law, and that Europe is weakening. Because it is the division that is sought by those who are trying to confront Europe. Because the unity of Europe is a great strength, division is the means to weaken Europe. We won't let that happen! And one last point: We are not looking for confrontation. The European way is the way of cooperation. We know inwardly that this ensures prosperity and peace, and we know it geopolitically. In the long term, it is cooperation.