Speeches

Madam President, colleagues, while the first feminist revolution in the Middle East and the world continues to demand what should be a fact in Iran – democracy and human rights – while the brave women, girls and allies shout enough is enough, there are still many actions to demand from the international community. Sanction the murderous regime in Iran, including their families. Expel their so-called diplomats and let us all call things for what it is: the IRGC is a terrorist organisation. The feminist revolution is, however, a part of a long, ongoing democratic revolution. Ask the Kurds in Iran, they know it unfortunately too well. Right now they are under severe attack by the IRGC. The regime bombs have even been falling down on them in the city of Koya, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, where the Kurdish-Iranian opposition KDPI has its base. Simultaneously, Turkey bombed the Kurdish PYD, YPG, YPJ in the Rojava region of Syria. Remember those fighting for our freedom and sacrificing their lives in the fight against the terrorist organisation ISIS? Unfortunately, it doesn’t even stop here. Turkey also bombed different parts of the Kurdistan region of Iraq. All across the world people are shouting Jin, Jiyan, Azadi – Women, Life, Freedom. Let me remind us all of where the cradle of this slogan started – Kurdistan. Colleagues, let us show that human rights and security also means Kurdish rights and security.

Mr President, colleagues, our Union and our Member States are not a desert island. So the development in one part of the world affects other parts of the world. In a time of global challenges, we therefore must ensure EU global leadership, an EU that not only take talks the talk about peace, human rights, freedom and security, but also walks the talk. Feminist economic policy is imperative for a gender-equal world. Colleagues, as the Committee of Foreign Affairs standing rapporteur for the relations with Palestine, I also want to remind everyone in here on our responsibility towards the Palestinian people. Generations of Palestinians are living as refugees. We must ensure political support to end the Israeli occupation and pave the way for a two-state solution, as well as ensure financial support for them to live as decent a life as possible under a currently abnormal situation. Yes, occupation is abnormal, inhuman and it’s a violation of international law. I am glad, however, that in 2023 budget we are clear on the importance to continue our support to UNRAM, including increased support since the needs have grown. I must say that I have been I have been very disappointed and ashamed of this Parliament about the ongoing debates and discussions that have taken place the last two years on trying to undermine the important work that UNWRA is doing.

Mr President, I’m not surprised that the far right here in the Parliament gave their intervention and just left this room. This shows what they stand for, and I’m not surprised that the far right are talking against this important report that demands action to end the human rights violations, to end racism that still exists in 2022 in our Union. It is actually their horrific ideology we are talking about today, an ideology that must be consigned to the dustbin of history. In Hungary, in July, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made an abhorrent speech criticising the mixing of European and non-European races. Last week, in France, a far right MP was temporarily suspended from the Assemblée nationale after shouting go back to Africa when a black MP was speaking during the debate on migration. The leader of the Sweden Democrats in Sweden has said that Muslims are our biggest foreign threat. This shows that racism is here and now and present. The EU was built to prevent these kinds of views from winning ground. The EU was built to prevent these people from repeating history. Colleagues, I expected the far right not to be here today or that they would only have their interactions and leave, but I didn’t expect that the Council wouldn’t be here with us today, and that is very shameful. I want, however, to thank Commissioner Helena Dalli for being with us today and showing leadership in the Commission against these heinous violations of human rights and crimes that are taking place in our Union. I’m happy that we have the first ever anti-racism action plan in place in the EU. However, it needs to reach or be prolonged to post—2025 and it right now lacks proper follow-up mechanisms and measurable targets. We need to strengthen it. It is a shame that only 12 Member States in the European Union have national action plans against racism in place. They are to be in place before the end of 2022, but only 12 have until now adopted them. And I also want to recall the long-standing call by the EP for the adoption of a horizontal anti-discrimination directive that has been blocked in the EU since 2008. And finally, colleagues, structural problems require a structural solution. Let’s now move from words to actions. Let’s implement the motto of the European Union – United in diversity – fully.

Mr President, colleagues, first and foremost I want to thank all the shadow rapporteurs for the very fruitful and successful discussions and agreements reached. I am happy that we will be able to say to all the people of our Union that they matter and that democratic political groups here in this parliament care. I am proud to be able to say that we are on the right side of history and that we do not look away when people are facing human rights violations because racism is not an opinion: it is a crime; it is a human rights violation. Colleagues, exactly 84 years ago, the night between 9 and 10 November 1938 embodies racism in its worst form, anti-Semitism. If we close our eyes and listen very carefully, we still hear echoes from a dark chapter in our European history, a period of our history that we must do everything in our power to ensure never repeats itself. We owe the victims of the horrific Holocaust to never forget. We are obliged to act. The EU is built on the notion that nobody is free before everybody is free. Our Union exists as a counter force against hate and all those striving for polarisation and trying to divide our communities. To those undemocratic forces I want to say we will do everything to ensure you are forever consigned to the dustbin of history. Friends, the former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme’s words from 1965 are still relevant today. He said: ‘We like to think of ourselves as open minded and tolerant, but it is yet not that simple. Prejudice does not need to be anchored in some hideous theories. It has much simpler origins. Prejudice always has its roots in everyday life. It grows in the workplace and in the neighbourhood. It is an expression of one’s own failure and disappointments. It is, above all, an expression of ignorance and fear: ignorance of other people’s uniqueness; fear of losing a position, a social privilege, a pre-emptive right. A person’s skin colour, race, language and place of birth have nothing to do with human qualities. Grading people with such standards is in stark contrast to the principle of the equal value of people.’ Friends, we still face a reality today in the EU where our people are victims of racism, discrimination and harassment. Reports of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights highlight that discrimination and harassment is a daily reality all over the European Union. Minorities face racism in the EU every day. In the five years preceding the respective surveys, 41% of Roma, 45% of persons with a North African background, 39% of sub-Saharan Africans, 60% of Roma and travellers and 25% of Jews felt discriminated against because of their ethnic or immigrant backgrounds. Harassment due to ethnic or immigrant backgrounds was common for one in four Muslim respondents. Of these individuals, nearly half suffered six or more incidents during the year prior to the study. Racism is a threat to our European democracy and violates human rights. Racism and discrimination kills, deprives people of their fundamental rights, and deprives society from fully enjoying the competence and experience of all our citizens. It is time to go from words to actions. It is time to implement the motto of the European Union: ‘United in Diversity’. It’s not only about uniting the states and countries: it is about uniting our people to ensure that we end all the discrimination, hatred and violence that they are facing every year, every month, every week, every day.

Madam President, thank you very much. Threats, horror, blows, murder. It'll never end. Year after year, decade after decade, century after century, in all societies, in all classes of society. Gender-based violence should have been relegated to history in a modern age like ours, but patriarchy is here and now and it wants something different. In the home, even in politics, in school, in the streets and squares, in war, but also in peace, women and girls are subjected to violence: sexually, physically, psychologically, financially and digitally. whereas one in three women in the EU is estimated to have suffered violence, more than one in five women have suffered domestic violence; Many of us women, even here in our Parliament, have lived or are living in this reality. It happens both offline and online. Terrible violence is not a natural phenomenon. Girls are not born under pink quilts and boys are not born under blue quilts. It's something we're forced to do. The inequality that stems from patriarchy can be relegated to history, but it requires both courage and will on the part of each of us in here: The courage to stand up against injustice and the desire to achieve a gender-equal society. We women, girls, LGBTIQ people and everyone else who lives with hatred, threats and violence on a daily basis have had enough. Change is no longer a possibility – it is a must. It is painful that the EU still has six countries, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and Slovakia, which have not yet ratified the Istanbul Convention, which is the first legally binding regional instrument on violence against women in Europe. Now, for the first time, we in the EU have taken a holistic approach through concrete measures to tackle one of the greatest problems of our time. The fact that the EU is advancing such a sharp and comprehensive legislative proposal, such as the directive to combat men's violence against women and domestic violence, is historic. In my capacity as co-rapporteur, together with my colleague Mr Fitzgerald, I will do what I can to strengthen it further. It is our duty to women and girls to put an end to violence, to put an end to murder. We must work preventively by starting at an early age. We must support the victims and we must put an end to the impunity that prevails.

Mr President, colleagues, anti-democratic and anti-European extreme—right forces are being normalised by conservatives and liberals. The latest examples are in Sweden and Italy. We live in an era of access to information, but some seem to have forgotten their history. The history that we were supposed to prevent from repeating itself; the same history that led to the creation of the European Union. Our Union is supposed to be a counterforce against all those forces trying to play Machiavelli through dividing and conquering. Something rotten has happened in the EU and the Member States the last years. The keys to the governments are by conservatives and liberals being handed out to those shouting ‘Jews are not a problem as long as they are few. Muslims are our biggest foreign threat and those seeing the rainbow flag as a threat’. Yes, this is a reality in my country, Sweden. In a time of increased hatred, we should roll up our sleeves and raise our voices against it, not normalise it. As the children’s book author Astrid Lindgren wrote in her book The Brothers Lionheart, there were things that had to be done, even if it was dangerous. Otherwise, you are not a human being. You are just a piece of dirt. Colleagues, let’s raise our voice against fascism and Nazism, not normalise it.

Madam President, Madam Commissioner, colleagues, the Devil can only play God if we do not dare to call him the Devil. Well, we have a duty towards all people that have got their homes destroyed and all people that have been killed at the hands of Putin to call him out. Yes, through actions, but also through words, because words pave the way for actions. The Putin Russian regime is a terrorist state and is a state sponsor of terrorism. If the aggression on Ukraine, violation of other states’ territorial integrity and sovereignty and the cold blooded killing of dissenters are not grounds enough to be called out for state sponsored terrorism and being a terrorist state, I do not know what would be. Putin and his allies as Khomeini in Iran have oppressed and killed for decades. And maybe have they never, ever thought that they will meet counter forces. But the people of Ukraine and people of whole Iran have shown that they are stronger than the oppressors. People power is stronger than devil power. Let’s call Putin’s regime for what it is – a state terror and state sponsor of terrorism.

Madam President, as the S&D shadow rapporteur for the AFET and DEVE opinions, I would like to stress the importance of continuing to be a strong voice for democracy, human rights, rule of law and equality, especially in these times of backlash in the EU and beyond. It is important that the EU enhances its financial support for international partner organisations and ensure contribution is also made in core resources. It is important we step up our struggle to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. We have only eight years left until 2030. The Agenda 2030, with its 17 SDGs, contains our tools to save humanity. We need to conduct a feminist foreign and development policy in defence and support of women and girls worldwide. The bravery women and girls have shown, among other places, in Iran, in Afghanistan, and different parts of Kurdistan demands our full support. The Middle East and North Africa are regions in need of extra support in order to turn backlash into progress. Therefore, the support for UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority is imperative. Putin’s heinous aggression in Ukraine is a hard reminder of that. We can’t take respect for international law and our multilateral systems for granted. We must defend it everywhere and at all times.

Mr President, this was racism embodied – racist when it goes from words to actions not by one person or a group, but structural and institutionalised. The Dutch childcare benefit scandal is a frightening example that reveals deep—rooted prejudice in our Union. The enormous consequence that the Dutch tax authority’s illegal, artificial intelligence—driven racial profiling had on them and how it impacted their lives is terrifying. Families ended up in poverty. Some lost their homes and some lost their jobs because of prejudice. This is not George Orwell’s Animal Farm, even though one may think so since some seem to be more equal than others in our Union. But some of the affected are not any more with us to witness today, as this scandal has led to suicides. Racism deprives people of their possibility to live a decent life, and society of the possibility to take good advantage of every and each citizen’s competence. In its worst form, racism kills. I am standing here today as the rapporteur for the report on racial justice, non—discrimination and anti—racism in the EU, which will be voted on in the LIBE Committee on Monday. In the report, we call on the EU to urgently move from words to actions in the fight against racism. We also highlight the importance of ensuring that necessary safeguards for fundamental rights and freedoms of data are in place for the use of AI tools. Every corner in our Union must be a safe space for all our people. The colour of our skin, our birthplace, our name, our hair colour – none of it should ever shape our possibility to fulfil our dreams and should never, ever deprive us of becoming full and respected citizens in our Member States and of our Union.

Her name was Jina Mahsa Amini. A young Kurdish girl in Iran with her whole life ahead of her, deprived of her life by men and a regime who thinks they have the right to control women. For over 40 years, women, girls, minorities and opposition groups have lived in horror. The Iranian feminist revolution is a democratic revolution that is taking place right now. The autocratic regime might think that they can suffocate and silence the people, but what they do is to fuel the anger. Right now, Iranian, Kurdish, Baluch and many other groups – especially women and young people – are leveraging their righteous wrath and shouting, ‘The days of the regime are numbered!’ The cruel morality police and all those in the government behind the oppression of the people must be sanctioned. The discrimination laws that constitute the basis of the gender apartheid in the country must be abolished. The murderers of Jina and all those freely demonstrating and protesting must be brought to justice. We need to end impunity! To be silent is to be compliant. Compliance can’t be the way forward for the international community if we truly stand for what we preach – democracy, human rights, equality and justice. The cause of all women and people in Iran is our cause. Their freedom is our freedom. (the speaker used a slogan in a non-official language) Women, life, freedom!

Madam President, racism, discrimination in the labour market, forced evictions, marginalisation, hate speech – even by elected officials in this Parliament, even by Prime Ministers in our Union – racially motivated attacks, deprived of education. The list can be made long on the inhuman and degrading treatment of Roma people. According to the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, an estimated 80% of Roma families and their children in our Union live below our respective national at-risk-of-poverty thresholds. There is a lot in the EU I am proud of, but the treatment of Roma people is not one of them. If you really want to know a society in depth, you should look at how it treats its people. We claim that our Union is built on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities. That we in modern times have settlements in the EU is a big failure for all of us. It is a big failure of our commitments to the Roma people. We continue to fail to respect the fundamental rights of the Roma people while children are being deprived of their possibility to fulfil their dreams and grown-ups are having their lives crushed. Support to the Roma community, ending impunity for those committing crimes against Roma people, and infringement proceedings against Member States that on purpose continuously deprive the Roma community of their human rights are a few of the many things we must do. There is an immediate need for action in the EU and in the Member States.

Madam President, thank you very much. It hurts when history is repeated in front of our eyes. Tools used by the dictatorships of communism and Nazism are being used today by Putin's regime against the Ukrainian people. Last week, we were reached by horrific reports that Russia forcibly adopted thousands of innocent Ukrainian children after stealing many of them from the arms of their parents, as a demographic weapon against the Ukrainian population. Since April, we have learned that Russia has forcibly deported over one million Ukrainian citizens and forced them into ‘filtering camps’ where civilians are interrogated for hours to clean up so-called nationalists. This is nothing more than the cleansing of a people. It is also a war crime and a crime against humanity. The dark chapters of our common human history would not be repeated, but only if we chose to remember it and act hard against anti-democratic forces. It is therefore important that we jointly call for an end to Russia's ongoing human rights violations and for the European Commission and the Member States to act to ensure that our history does not repeat itself in Ukraine or anywhere else on this planet. Those behind these vile deportations and forced adoptions must be sanctioned immediately. Putin must be stopped. The rise of far-right forces in Europe and in the world as well. The extremists in Russia, Hungary, Italy and even in my country, Sweden, are strengthened by each other's successes. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is one of the most vile violations of international law. Our entire credibility and international cooperation are at stake. The Ukrainian people have suffered enough and the consequences of the aggression against Ukraine are felt in every part of the world. Slava Ukraini.

Mr President, thank you very much. It goes downhill as extremists grow stronger and even faster as they sniff power. Then they are no longer afraid to show their true colors: women's rights, LGBTIQ rights, minority rights, free and independent judiciary and media freedom are some of the many things that smoke. After Sunday's election, my country, Sweden, is now leaning towards a mandate overweight for a right-wing conservative/liberal and far-right government. Representatives of the far-right Sweden Democrats, who both have Nazi roots and still today wear Nazi brown stripes, have already stepped up their attacks on free and independent media and journalists. The current second vice-speaker of the Swedish parliament, belonging to the Sweden Democrats, and their chief of staff have both threatened in recent days that public service should indeed be reported and so-called reformed, and that they are now prepared to "push journalists" and "run a journalist rugby". In other words: If you don't jump after their pipe, you disappear. The statements testify to a contempt for free, independent media and journalists, which are the cornerstone of a democracy. Hungary, Poland, Italy, Germany and my beautiful Sweden are some of the countries affected by the pandemic of extremism, which we must fight with full force. I am ashamed, however, that parties that claim to stand up for democracy and human rights normalise these parties and their views only for the sake of power. In Sweden, both the EPP parties, M and KD, and the Liberals have become the extremists' useful idiots by actively cooperating with them. The report today is extremely important. It is time to act for our democracy, for our freedom.

Mr President, thank you very much. The fundamental values of the EU must never be negotiable. Safeguarding our fundamental rights is more important now than ever as we move towards tougher times – times that, with history behind us, we know increase the risk of extreme and anti-democratic forces. Hungary has become the EU's first non-democratic member state, and it is only getting worse and worse and worse. Now the European Commission and the Council must seriously use all the tools in the toolbox and put their hands on it. The rogue government in Hungary should not receive a single penny of our taxpayers' money, and the infringement procedure must move forward. The aid must go to the people of Hungary instead. This is not how it can continue in our Union. The Hungarian people deserve us to act – and now. Last summer, the racist Orbán mentioned that Hungarians are not mixed, that they do not want to be mixed, and that countries where Europeans and non-Europeans are mixed are no longer nations. In Sweden, we have ‘our own Orbán’: Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson, who demanded an end to all immigration that constitutes a social, cultural or economic burden to demonize foreign-born people and other groups. His party colleague expressed that he wants to liberate Sweden from alien enemies. These are the people we are talking about – women and children fleeing for their lives. It is about me and my family and many other foreign-born Swedes and Europeans. These statements are reminiscent of a time we must never forget so that it will never be repeated again. It's serious. What happens in Hungary can happen elsewhere if we don't put our feet down now.

Madam President, thank you very much. First of all, if you’re going to accuse me of something, you need to accuse me of something that I have said. What I said – and this is evident – is that there is clear evidence that far—right movements, far—right parties in this Parliament have had financial support. Nevertheless, I didn’t say that the Swedish Democrats had financial support, but it is evident and there is evidence that there have been direct links. They have had party members who haven’t even been able to get a job in the Parliament structures just because of links to Russia, because they are seen as a security risk. This is a fact.

–Madam President, the everyday action of the Chinese communist regime speaks its own language: it is ruthless and it is cruel. There are no limits as regards attacks on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief. The unlawful arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen, one of the strongest advocates of this city’s pro-democracy movement, and the other trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund is an attack on fundamental freedoms, and the regime continues to step up its efforts to undermine Hong Kong’s strong autonomy. In practice, they have abolished the autonomy. All charges against all political prisoners, including Cardinal Zen and the trustees, must be dropped immediately. The national security law must be renounced immediately. And the autonomy of Hong Kong must be respected by the communist regime of China. Nothing less is acceptable. The EU must, at the same time, offer all needed support to the human rights activists in Hong Kong and to help protect their rights and freedoms. The EU should also, through the EU global human rights sanctions regime, introduce sanctions against those in Hong Kong and those in China that are responsible for the human rights violations.

Mr President, colleagues, in a time of polarisation globally, and when our multilateral corporations are under tremendous pressure, we need more cooperation, cohesion and trust—building. We have in the last month become fully aware that global threat requires joint actions, but it is also time to understand that global prosperity requires joint actions as well. The post—Cotonou Agreement is essential part of the continued strengthening of the cooperation between EU and the countries in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific. At the basis of trade and development cooperation must always be common values, democratic rights and a feminist approach, ensuring inclusion of women and girls and their rights. It is essential that we together fight climate change and put equality in the centre. I totally agree with the rapporteur, Tomas Tobé, that it is disappointing – I would even say shameful – that we have a Member State that blocks important agreements. It is important that the Council swiftly sign it so that it can enter into force. Global prosperity requires joint actions. The failure of one EU Member State to understand it shouldn’t deprive the progress of basic human rights; it’s unacceptable.

Madam President, colleagues, that the populist movements in the EU are puppets of Putin is unfortunately nothing surprising, but it is horrific. Russia has long been a cash machine for the far—right political forces in our Union – even for the Sweden Democrats who were here just a couple of minutes ago in claiming that they were voting in a certain way, but at the same time they were revealed to have direct connections to the Kremlin! It is not enough to say that you are voting in a certain way. You also need to cut the umbilical cord to the Kremlin. Russia and the anti-democratic movements in the EU and beyond meet in their mission of hate towards everything that we democratic forces believe in: women’s rights; LGBTI rights; migrants’ rights. These are basically democratic rights and the same rights that are a central part of the multilateral system we put in place after the Second World War, which Putin now wants to shatter. We promised ourselves that the horrific history of Europe would not repeat itself, but yet it has and it is. We need a truth commission that reveals the connections between the Kremlin and the populists, extremists and undemocratic EU forces in this Parliament and the whole EU. Thriving on war crimes must at no time or at any place be accepted. (The speaker declined to respond to a blue-card speech by Charlie Weimers)

Madam President, colleagues, it has been almost 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we are witnessing serious human rights backlashes worldwide. The ruling Chinese communist regime is one of the biggest abusers in the world. Uyghurs have been suffering for long through persecution and detention in internment camps. One of the worst despicable acts in wars and used by oppressing regimes towards minorities is gender-based violence against women and girls. Women and girls are being raped, forcibly married, tortured and killed. We receive horrendous reports of Uyghur women and girls in the camps being subjected to systematic rape, forced sterilisation and separation from their children. I am glad for the urgency, but would have wanted to see stronger and specific calls on independent investigation into these unspeakable crimes of gender-based violence. Almost 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but yet still, there is a lot to do to ensure we stand up for the basic rights of women and girls globally.

Madam President, I have myself experienced war and have seen the brutal consequences of its indiscriminate violence against civilians, which has brought me to the EU. In European history there is and always will be a before and after of 24 February 2022. The after is the time when the EU must stand up to preserve peace and international security. Never bow to the imperialist Putin Russia. The after is the time when the EU must step up its struggle in defence of the rule-based international order and the principle of multilateral cooperation. I therefore welcome the Parliament’s new recommendations on the EU Foreign Security and Defence Policy, because in this new world order created by Putin and his men, our main responsibility is to stick together. I am therefore ashamed of the Orbán government in Hungary that is acting disgracefully. The EU has an important global role to play. For that, we need a stronger strategic autonomy and we need to act with allies. I also would like to join the call of our Finnish colleague for a swift approval of the Swedish and Finnish NATO membership. And finally, for me, the EU is synonymous with peace. I was once forced to flee to the EU for its peace. We can and we must stand up for it globally.

Mr President, colleagues, what kind of a world we want to leave behind for the future generation through our actions or inactions says a lot about what kind of humanity that exists today. The carbon border adjustment mechanism is one of the most important tools for us in the EU to reduce gas emissions in non-EU countries. The one—billion—dollar question is how to spend the estimated EUR 1 billion per year in CBAM revenues 2026 to 2030. We can decide to continue as business as usual through adding it to the Next Generation EU loans, or we can try to be revolutionary through investing it in the Next Generation EU and Global Citizen through new climate protection measures in developing countries. The reinvestment of revenues in climate resilience would set a precedent for the future CBAM systems. It is in the interest of our planet, vulnerable communities and the EU that revenues from such systems are used for climate actions rather than for continued public expenditures reductions. It is in the interest of us all. We need a just transition guided by solidarity that sees beyond national borders because we are not isolated islands.

Madam President, I want to start with thanking the Turkey rapporteur, Nacho Sánchez Amor, for the good work. Dialogue is important, but it must always be based on respect for international law and progress of democracy to ensure a cohesive world and respect for human rights. As the rapporteur clearly stated and rightly stated, we see enormous regression of democracy in Turkey. In the struggle for international law and democracy must also lie the battle against disinformation. I am therefore worried when, as a female legislator in this European Parliament, together with other Swedish—Kurdish female politicians in my country needing to face disinformation and baseless allegations by far—right Turkish media with ridiculous claims that I have been a part of an armed struggle in Turkey and been sent to this Parliament by PKK. These lies are unacceptable and are a direct attack on our European democracy. The even more ridiculous thing is that it is being echoed by Swedish far—right media as well. Olof Palme once said, ‘For us, democracy is a question of human dignity, and human dignity is political freedom’. Putting those words in the context of today, the spread of disinformation by far—right Turkish media are attacks on European democracy... (The President cut off the speaker)

Mr President, I also want to thank the rapporteur for this very comprehensive and important report. The EU enlargement process is a matter of the future of EU and trust in our Union. We must therefore ensure a clear pathway for those countries aiming to join our Union. When progress is made, appreciation must be shown. Albania is one of those countries that have shown most progress on their commitment to European integration and democratic transformation, and have clearly shown alignment with the EU foreign policy – not least when it comes to joint actions with the EU Member States after the horrific Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is time to advance on Albania’s accession process. One way of showing the country it is on the right path is by opening the accession negotiations with that country, and to schedule the first intergovernmental conference. With this said, the Albanian political parties must overcome political disputes to strengthen democracy and the economy further. Every stone must also be turned to fight organised crime and corruption. But it is clear that the Albanian Government and citizens see the European Union as their home. It is therefore time for us to open up the doors!

Mr President, colleagues, at the same time as we see backlash on our fundamental rights in some of our own Member States, we see progress on our European values in countries aspiring for EU membership. Moldova has in recent years taken important steps towards more democracy and respect for the rule of law, even though a lot remains to be done and needs to be intensified as regards judiciary reform and the end of corruption. Moldova has also taken a big responsibility for people in need, being the country receiving most Ukrainian refugees per capita and showing deep solidarity. As hard as we must be towards our Member States that take negative steps backwards, we need to salute those wanting to join our Union that take positive steps forward. We need to continue supporting the Moldovan people that has clearly shown that they want to be a part of our Union. My message to all our friends in Moldova is: we stand by you, we support you and we hope to see you represented here in this Parliament soon.