Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, Prime Minister, the presidency of the Council comes with both great opportunity and great responsibility. Prime Minister, you say that you want to discuss the political priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. For example, you say that you want to reinforce European defence, you want to regain control of the external border. I welcome these priorities. The problem is that you and your government act in the opposite way. Instead of focusing on strengthening the defence of Europe, you went to Moscow to shake hands with Putin, the man who wants nothing else than to destroy Europe. He is the man who has launched a war of aggression against your own neighbour, Ukraine. Instead of ensuring a strong external border and increasing the internal security of the Schengen Area, your government have decided to make it easier for potential Russian spies and saboteurs to access the Union. That is the truth of what is happening. We have no problem to discuss your priorities, but I would argue that the citizens of Hungary and Europe deserve better. Trust me: change is coming, also to Hungary with the Tisza Party. Get ready.

Madam President, Commissioner, the protection of Schengen and our external borders is a top priority for the EPP Group. It is key to ensure freedom, prosperity and security for our citizens. Schengen is crucial for the functioning of the single market, and it brings major benefits for our people and economy. But this only works if we have proper control over our external borders. The recent developments in Germany have put a spotlight on this issue, with the terrible attack in Solingen highlighting the need for decisive and effective action against irregular migration. For the EPP, this means concrete measures. Firstly, to ensure swift and full implementation of the migration pact in order to take back control and reduce migration pressure towards the European Union. Secondly, to adopt new measures to increase returns of illegal migrants, because if you don't have the right to be in Europe, you should not be in Europe. Thirdly, we also need to strengthen Frontex to ensure better protection of the external border. And we count on all constructive, pro-European forces in this House. We have had good cooperation with the current Commissioner. We have tried to work with political groups in this House. Because I want to be very clear: if we don't have effective border protections, Member States cannot exclude controls at internal borders. And I'm talking about S&D governments and EPP governments. This is what it will take to truly protect Schengen, and make Europe safe and thriving again.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Court ruling came just a couple of days ago, on Friday. I think it is too early to have a proper plenary debate. The EPP will instead ask for a proper assessment in the relevant committee –the LIBE Committee. The judgment of the Court could have quite an impact, but it's yet too early to foresee and I don't think we should draw any far-reaching conclusions already now. So I think we will reject it from the EPP today and we will wait for the assessment in the LIBE Committee. That's our proposal.

Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, Russia and Belarus pose a serious threat to our European security. They are hostile state actors responsible for countless hybrid attacks, and the only aim is to destabilise and undermine the security of Europe. And of course, we have the awful and horrific war of aggression against Ukraine from Russia. Against this background, it is deeply concerning and unacceptable that the Hungarian Government has decided to extend the national card scheme to Russian and Belarusian citizens. I must say that it fits very well into the patterns that we have seen from the Hungarian Government. Even the former Trump administration limited their visa-waiver programme due to security reasons against Hungary. That says a lot, I would say. In the presidency from the Hungarian Government, it is made clear that the objective is to strengthen the security of the European Union and the citizens. And I must say I support that. But that must also lead that you actually act in that way. And I think it is clear for the Hungarian citizens' security, for Europeans' security, that we make sure that we defend our interests, not the interests of Russia.

Madam President, Commission, colleagues, organised crime is a major threat to the internal security of the European Union. In fact, Europol has underlined that it has never posed such a threat to our citizens and societies as it does today. More than 70 % of the criminal networks are active in more than three Member States at the same time. In my home country, the police have just identified around 600, 600!, gang criminals that are engaged in organised crime from other Member States. This epidemic of cross-border organised crime requires a European response, and this is exactly what the EPP Group is calling for. Concretely, we have to strengthen Europol's mandate and make it a truly operational police agency. This requires us to provide the agency with the necessary tools and resources to crack down on criminal networks. We also have to enhance the capabilities of Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor's Office to dismantle criminal networks. Criminals need to be brought to justice. Furthermore, a crucial measure to combat organised crime is to disrupt the business models of criminal networks. This will require a 'follow the money approach', to freeze and confiscate assets and target the leaderships of such networks. We have to ensure that crime never pays. The political guidelines for the next Commission are very clear in this regard, and this is exactly what the EPP Group has been calling for. Widespread organised crime damages citizens trust in public institutions. It hinders honest people's everyday life. It is a threat to our business and to our European economy as a whole. The top priority for this coming Commission will have to be to deliver on these promises. We have to make sure that Europe is safe and that citizens can trust that we do all we can to make sure that crime never pays, and criminals should be where they belong ‑ in jail.

(Start of speech off mic) ... prevent security threats across Europe, like the terrible attack in Solingen, where three people were killed and several were injured. It is crucial that we re-establish control over our common external borders and ensure effective return of illegal migrants. And let me be clear, from the EPP Group: if you don't have the right to be in Europe, you should not be in Europe. The adoption of the migration pact is a crucial step forward towards a more controlled migration policy. Our focus now is to ensure a swift and full implementation of all parts of the pact. However, this will not be enough. The horrific attack in Solingen has again put the spotlight on the need for an effective return policy. The EPP Group, therefore, fully supports the clear commitments in the political guidelines for the next Commission to put forward a new common approach on returns, to speed up and simplify the process, and the Commission needs to move quickly and present this proposal. We have to deliver on this. Citizens in Europe should know that we do all we can to keep them safe, and the EPP is ready to do just that.

Madam President, colleagues, today is a choice between political stability or division. Between leadership or political chaos. Today, I’m urging all colleagues of this House to vote in favour of Madam von der Leyen as President of the Commission because, seriously, we face grave challenges ahead. There is a war on our continent. There are great uncertainties about the possibility of a new administration in the US, and at home we still have to face issues such as migration, climate and competitiveness. To overcome these challenges, we need political stability. Any other outcome of the vote today would mean the opposite. It would be a gift for Putin and for Orbán. We cannot waste any time. We have to get to work. From the EPP Group, I would especially like to highlight that we are pleased to see that we will finally deliver on a common European response in the fight against organised crime. This must be a top priority in the coming five years. Most importantly, we have to continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, and on that I know that Ukraine, Sweden and the EPP know that we can count on you, Ursula.

Madam President, Commissioner, I think it is clear for everyone that is watching what is happening on the ground today, and they understand that we need to have a new European migration policy. We have horrific numbers of people dying in the Mediterranean Sea. We still see that the majority of people coming to Europe are irregular migrants. We see that we have a lack of trust between Member States, and we also see that we have a lack of trust also from citizens towards governments, towards European politicians. Now, finally, we have something on the table. We have something that is truly negotiated, and we have an opportunity now to find a constructive majority in this House to vote in favour of this migration pact. For years, this House has criticised the Council for not making up their mind, for not being ready to negotiate. Now, finally, we have the Council ready to adopt this and move forward towards a true European migration policy. Should it then be this House who rejects it? Who shows that we are not mature enough to take decisions that would actually mean that we will stick to our European values? Yes, we will have a more controlled migration policy than we have today, but we will also make a choice that we will prioritise the people in need of protection and we will decrease irregular migration. Finally, we will also open up to cooperate more within the Union and together with countries outside of Europe. This is the right path forward and I do hope, colleagues, you will please be responsible today. Please vote in favour of the Migration Pact.

Mr President, Commissioners, today, we have an historic opportunity to finally put in place a common European migration policy. After migration crisis after migration crisis, after political failure after political failure, we can finally deliver to the European citizens. Most of us understand that if we have a common external border, we also need more common migration policy. The EPP Group will support the migration pact. We think that it is crucial that we start to take back control from the smugglers, because we need to decide who will actually enter the European Union. We need to strengthen our common border, because only so can we also ensure that we move towards a policy when we can give protection to those in need and not to irregular migrants. We also, in the migration pact, finally acknowledge that we need to cooperate also with third countries if we want to manage migration in a better way in the future. Finally, and perhaps even more important: in the migration pact, we make it clear that we need to cooperate better within the Union. It cannot be so that this comes to responsibility for a few Member States, where we try to find different ad hoc solutions. Now we make it clear that it is a responsibility for everyone to contribute. This is basically about building trust: building trust between the Member States, but also building trust from the citizens that the European politicians actually can deliver also when it comes to migration. Yes, the negotiations have been long – and let’s be honest, they have been hard, even within this House and together with the Council. But from the EPP Group, I would like to thank for the cooperation with the S&D Group and the Renew Group, and also with some responsible delegations in the ECR Group. But I still hear many colleagues in this House now that are ready to do whatever it takes to stop the migration pact. And I would like to turn to The Left Group and the Greens Group. You very often give speeches about the far right, but the truth is today you want to stop the migration pact together with Le Pen and AfD. That is the truth. You should instead vote in favour of the migration pact because then we could put a stop to the horrific numbers of deaths on the Mediterranean Sea. Don’t leave this in the hands of the smugglers. Colleagues, today we have an opportunity to send a clear message: Europe can agree also on divisive issues. Let’s move away from the political deadlock. Let’s move forward to a migration policy that actually works for everyone and that will, for certain, work better than what we have today. Vote in favour of the migration pact. Vote in favour for Europe.

Madam President, thank you very much. Prime Minister Orpo Petteri. Finland is and will remain Sweden's closest partner. A partnership that is now getting even stronger as both our countries are now finally members of NATO. I would like to thank you and Finland from the bottom of my heart for the support during this trip. Kiitos. Unfortunately, we are in a situation in Europe where we have war and both our countries have a central role now in not only providing military and financial support to Ukraine, but also, I think, in being crystal clear in these times that it is not Ukraine that should show the white flag, it is not Ukraine that should be forced into negotiations, but it is Putin that should be out of Ukraine and Europe that should be defended.

Madam President, thank you very much. High road safety is important and it is good that driving licences are harmonised in the EU. But we moderates will not accept that the EU makes it more difficult for so-called A-tractors, also known as EPA tractors. I regret that no more Swedish colleagues are here in this House today when we are debating this. But I would urge you to vote in favour of what we moderates have now gathered our EPP group behind. That is, the age limit for EPA tractors should not be changed. Now make sure, when we vote, to stand up for Swedish young people's opportunity to run the EPA, and not unnecessary detailed regulation from EU bureaucrats.

Madam President, thank you very much. In Sweden, we see how organised crime and gang wars are plaguing our entire society. Last year, 53 people were killed. We had 363 shootings. The Swedish government has now launched a very important and welcome offensive against the gangs. Crime is cross-border. Seven out of ten criminal networks are active in more than three countries simultaneously. I therefore welcome the fact that the Belgian Presidency has identified the fight against organised crime as one of its top priorities. I am absolutely convinced that more needs to be done. In the next mandate, a whole new deal is needed for safety and security in Europe: a more operational European police force, that we pick up the assets of criminals and that we strengthen border controls so that weapons and drugs cannot flow freely into Europe.

Mr President, thank you very much. The day before yesterday, we were reached by the news that terror had once again struck in Brussels. Swedes were selected as terrorist targets and shot to death. We also saw the utter ruthlessness of Islamist terrorism on 7 October when Hamas attacked Israel in barbarism. It's an evil hard to take in. Israel has the right to defend itself. The Socialist Party is talking about peace. Yes, we want peace. Choose to stand up for the Middle East's only democracy in its defense against the terrorist organization Hamas. Then choose to stand up because right now we have 200 Israelis who have been kidnapped: children, women, men who are in Gaza. They are the ones who need the support of the European Parliament today.

Mr President, thank you very much. Yesterday, terror struck again with full force. Swedes were selected in an Islamist terrorist attack. Sweden, Belgium and Europe now need to increase security to increase security. But what also terrorises European citizens is organised crime. In Sweden today we live with shootings, explosions, children who shoot children, innocent people who are affected. But gang crime is everywhere. The criminal networks, 70% of the criminal networks, operate in at least three Member States at the same time. Commissioner Schinas, do we not need a more powerful Europol? Do we not need a Europol that is more operational in order to stop drugs and weapons from entering Europe and that really makes sure that we hunt down the criminals so that they do not have power over our societies?

President, colleagues! I will speak in Swedish, with a heavy heart. Vi kommer aldrig glömma det som hände i Bryssel igår. Svenskar som väljs ut som terrormål bara på grund av att de är svenskar. Mina tankar idag är med dem som har dödats och skadats och deras familjer. Detta är en attack mot Sverige, Belgien och Europa. Det är ett fegt försök att ge sig på vårt fria och öppna samhälle, men vi kommer aldrig att ge efter för islamistisk terror. Ni kommer aldrig att lyckas. Tvärtom ska vi ännu starkare stå upp för frihet, demokrati och våra värderingar. Stort tack till belgisk polis för ert arbete. Jag älskar Sverige! Jag älskar Europa! Kollegor, idag och framåt behöver vi ert stöd.

Mr President, Europe has faced migration crisis after migration crisis. The situation in Lampedusa shows this again. Colleagues, we really are at a crossroad now. Either we continue down this road where Member States act independently and we try to meet the situation with ad hoc solutions or we build common European solutions and actions where we can have control of the borders, where we can make a bigger difference between people who have the right to protection in Europe and irregular migrants and where we work with cooperation in Europe and with third countries. We cannot have this situation where only a few Member States shall bear the big responsibility of the migration policy. I really would like to urge colleagues; we have an opportunity to really do something. Of course, I put my trust in the centre-right, but I would also like to acknowledge that parts of the ECR Group also voted in favour of going into negotiations. I welcome that because I really think that we need to make sure that we have a broad support for the new migration policy. With the migration pact hopefully adopted, of course, we also need to do more about the smugglers. We cannot have a situation where it is smugglers who actually decide who has the right to enter European territory. In my book, you need cooperation with third countries. Of course, it is not easy with Tunisia; of course, it is not even easy with Turkey. But what is the alternative? The EPP Group is here to deliver, to again build trust amongst our citizens and make sure that we have a European migration policy that actually works.

Madam President, thank you very much. On 24 February 2022, we were all greeted by the news that Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has been and continues to be brutal. Women, men and children lose their lives and families break up in the wake of war. The EU has imposed sanctions, delivered ammunition, medical supplies and financial means to Ukraine. We have managed to transform large parts of our trade chains in order not to support the Russian war fund. It has to go on. We are now taking another important step with Edirpa. Joint procurement of defence equipment will create better conditions for the European defence industry and for our ability to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs. We also need to review our own stocks and increase production in Europe. In fact, it makes me proud that the European Union is tirelessly standing up for Ukraine, for democracy and for freedom. But we all know that there is only one solution, and that is that Russia must leave Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!

Madam President, let me start as chair of the Development Committee to thank our co-rapporteurs for a work well done. And also point out that we are halfway to 2030 and we are seriously off track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This is extremely concerning. In my view, I think it is crucial that the European Union now works together, especially with developing countries, our partner countries, to get back on track. I would like to highlight three points to consider. Firstly, we need to improve the effectiveness and maximise the impact of our development cooperation. And secondly, we need to recognise that the private sector will play a critical role in achieving the SDGs. In this regard, the Global Gateway Initiative is a step in the right direction. And thirdly, and lastly, we need to strengthen partnership for the goals. The EU is uniquely placed to do this, given its proven record as a champion of multilateralism. Thereby, we also protect and strengthen the reputation as a credible and reliable partner, which is of crucial importance in the current year political context. I hope that plenary will approve this important report because we need to step up our game.

Mr President, Vice-President, Minister, Europe needs migration policy that works, where we have control of the external border, where we can reduce irregular migration, where we can cooperate more with third countries, but also where we cooperate more within the European Union. Only then can we also manage to provide protection to those in need. We need to move away from the order where only a few Member States have to bear the entire burden. President, we now have a strong majority in this House to move forward with negotiations on the migration pact. And thanks to the leadership of the Swedish presidency, we now also have a strong majority in the Council to move forward. This is historic. It is an historic opportunity, finally, for Europe to create an achieve a migration policy that could work. And I want to be clear from the European Parliament that for us, the adoption of the whole migration pact is crucial. Every part of this legislation is needed. And I also want to be clear from the EPP Group to all citizens and to all our colleagues in this House, we will be constructive, because there is no time to lose to achieve this. And I also want to be clear to the Council that we will also be constructive with you, because we finally now see an achievement and an historic opportunity and we will not waste it. Europe needs a migration policy that works.

Madam President, colleagues, Europe has faced migration crisis after migration crisis, and after years of political deadlock we now have a historic possibility to move forward. Most of us understand that if we have a common border, we also need more common migration policy. We need to build trust between the Member States and also among citizens in Europe. I would like to thank the Shadows for what we have achieved, and I would like to urge all colleagues from all political groups – also within ECR and ID – to support this mandate so we can send a strong signal to the Council that we are ready.

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, the extreme anti-LGBTI legislation adopted by the Parliament of Uganda is unacceptable. It is horrible, and the European Union must do more than simply express its deep concern and condemn these types of laws. For Uganda in particular, we need to be ready to take concrete action if the law is signed into force. I have three concrete questions for the Commission from the EPP Group: firstly, will the Commission make further development aid conditional upon Uganda upholding fundamental freedom and human rights? Secondly, is the Commission considering imposing any other measures if the anti—LGBTI legislation is signed into force? And thirdly, what measures is the Commission taking through its development cooperation to better protect LGBTI people and decriminalise homosexuality around the globe? You need to make it absolutely clear that the European Union will never, never accept anti—LGBTI legislation, or any type of legislation that violates human rights and fundamental freedoms for that matter. Let there be no doubt: action must have consequences.

Madam President, the pandemic has shown the critical need to strengthen our global health architecture. The adoption of the EU global health strategy is an important step forward in this regard, and I as DEVE Chair strongly welcome it. There are, however, three crucial points to consider in order to ensure effective implementation of the strategy. Firstly, the EU needs to take the lead in strengthening international cooperation in health and ensure that the issue remains at the top of the international agenda. Secondly, it is crucial that the European Union effectively supports partner countries in strengthening their own health systems. We should pay particular attention to this in the mid-term review on the NDICI Global Europe Instrument. And thirdly, we will need more effective funding and sustainable investments in health infrastructure, both from public and private sector. The rapid rollout of the Global Gateway Initiative is crucial in this regard. I welcome the ambition of the Swedish Presidency to adopt Council conclusions on the strategy. This will take us one step closer to making this strategy a reality, which is in the interest of the citizen and the world as a whole.

Mr President, thank you very much. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have been told in black and white that energy policy no longer exists in a vacuum, that energy policy decisions taken at national and Union level also matter a lot for our security, our growth, our competitiveness and our standard of living. Energy storage will be an important part of the work to enable us to benefit from all the benefits of the expansion of renewable energy sources in the future. We need to be able to meet our energy needs even when the sun is not shining and the wind has slowed down. We therefore need to enable further technological developments in batteries and smart systems, and we need to ensure that the price of electricity is lowered for all citizens. Let's be clear: This will be the crucial issue in the near future. I cannot therefore stand in this pulpit and talk about energy policy without mentioning the betrayal of European consumers that took place this weekend. Germany has shut down its last nuclear reactors. This is nothing more than a disaster. Instead of fossil-free cheap energy, Germany is now increasing its emissions and risks pushing up prices again. This is a historic mistake – Europe needs more nuclear power, not less.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, Minister! Criminal networks and organised crime are present and active in several Member States simultaneously across Europe. This threatens people's safety. Europol now points out that organised crime has never posed as great a threat to people's security as it does now. Unfortunately, in Sweden we know this very well. We're in big trouble. We now have a new, moderate-led government that completely rethinks our criminal policy. We have a Swedish Presidency that is now finally prioritising these issues. However, on behalf of the EPP Group, I would like to say to both the Swedish Presidency and the Commission: All the measures and initiatives now under discussion are good and welcome, but more will have to be done. We need to strengthen Europol. We need to make Europol more operational. We must confiscate the assets of criminals. We must more effectively stop the smuggling of weapons and drugs into our Union. We need to control our external borders. If we do this and continue to take initiatives, then we can once again make both Sweden and Europe safer.

Madam President, thank you very much. We are at a crossroads now. Either we continue with the policy of people dying in the Mediterranean, that we see very many people coming to Europe without grounds for asylum, where we see that there will be a few Member States that bear the great responsibility. Or we choose a path where we realise that we have more of a common European migration policy. I am absolutely convinced that here in the European Parliament, but also in the Council, we can come together around a policy of controlling our external borders. That we ensure that people who have grounds for asylum receive protection in Europe. But people who do not have grounds for asylum also need to leave. And that we need to work with third countries to make this policy work. This is an opportunity that lies ahead of us now. For seven years, the European Parliament has been calling for the changes that are now needed. Now we are on our way back into the crisis that we had last 2016. It no longer works to believe that national policies can solve this. We are part of a common Union and have common borders. Now is the time to adopt the Pact on Migration and ensure that we can start trialogue negotiations.