What Giorgos spoke about.

22

Nov

2023

EL Speech

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Cyprus Confidential - need to curb enablers of sanctions-evasion and money-laundering rules in the EU (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, we are tired of hearing big words. Fortunately, there are honest journalists - and I congratulate them, of course - to reveal to us the depth of a system of corruption and collusion. It is this system that, by their inaction and their addiction to opacity, the institutions of the European Union, tax havens and the protection of thefts in the name of the free market are …

21

Nov

2023

EL Speech

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Proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties (debate)

Mr President, gentlemen, you invoke the political deadlocks of the Union and the fear of the far right to change the Treaties and abolish unanimity in decision-making. You're pretending you don't see the elephant in the room. He is neoliberal and feeds on austerity policies, authoritarianism in decision-making, climate change, tax evasion, free-market arbitrariness, inhumane immigration policy, vi…

3

Oct

2023

EL Speech

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Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, these days we are witnessing an ongoing history of crime against a long-suffering people, the Armenians. They are again victims of ethnic cleansing by Mr Aliyev, a close associate of Mr Erdoğan – but unfortunately also a close associate of the European Union itself. Ms von der Leyen only recently shook hands with Mr Aliyev. Azeri gas, I wonder, comes before people's …

12

Sep

2023

EL Speech

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2022 Report on Türkiye (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, we are well aware of Turkey and Erdogan, as well as the hypocritical attitude of the European Union, in order to serve its commercial, economic and geopolitical purposes. In Turkey, the rule of law and human rights are being violated, prisons are being filled with political prisoners, electoral processes are being rigged, the Kurdish community is being brutally represse…

14

Jun

2023

EL Speech

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Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware - Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (draft recommendation) (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, I would like to warmly thank journalists, including Cypriots, whistleblowers and non-governmental organisations, for bringing Pegasus and Predator to the fore to start this huge effort of consolidation and transparency. I would also like to thank the rapporteur and the chairman of the committee very much. The issue has a pan-European dimension. It is about democracy and…

13

Jun

2023

EL Speech

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This is Europe - Debate with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides (debate)

Madam President, Mr President, I would like to welcome you on behalf of the European United Left in Strasbourg. We will be strict, but fair with you, as my party, AKEL, always behaves. Besides, there are some things we can talk about at home. You are right to call for the European Union to be more actively involved by appointing a high-ranking EU official in the Cyprus issue. To be honest, I don't…

15

Feb

2023

EL Speech

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The erosion of the rule of law in Greece: the wiretapping scandal and media freedom (topical debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the reality is roaring. It is all accepted now through the transmission of the virus from Cyprus to Greece and through Predator, but also through the Greek Intelligence Service, in the knowledge of the Greek Prime Minister, Greek MPs, ministers, journalists and parties were monitored. Mr Mitsotakis should not be held accountable for all this. Greece, of course, does …

13

Dec

2022

EL Speech

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Renewable Energy, Energy Performance of Buildings and Energy Efficiency Directives: amendments (REPowerEU) (continuation of debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the planet is sending out a distress signal. The destruction of the environment due to the misuse of natural resources and the reckless use and action of multinationals is enormous. At the same time, energy poverty, energy poverty, is afflicting one in four of our fellow Europeans. For the Group of the European United Left, it is clear that new …

18

Oct

2022

EL Speech

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General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023 - all sections (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the recession is breaking bones. The whole of Europe is saved by the mobilizations of the workers. Accuracy, energy and a nightmarish inflation that wipes out labour income. You are, of course, giving through the budget some crumbs for poor households. The truth is, however, that the lion's share is shared by the pharmaceutical and energy multinationals. We want anot…

12

Sep

2022

EL Speech

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Surveillance and predator spyware systems in Greece (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, under the pretext of fighting terrorism and defending national security, citizens across Europe are being monitored through Pegasus, Predator and other similar software, and in this way, obviously, democracy itself and the rule of law are being undermined. Israeli and European companies sell their illegal and expensive software undisturbed. First was Hungary, Poland and…

6

Jun

2022

EL Speech

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2021 Report on Turkey (debate)

Madam President, I would like to thank Mr Sánchez Amor for his effort to bring forward a balanced report on progress in the Union's relations with Turkey. I do not know, of course, whether there has ever been a light in the tunnel of Euro-Turkish relations. Some Europeans, of course, blatantly pretend to see it in order to serve the so-called "common interest" and place Turkey, in the midst of the…

4

May

2022

EL Speech

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Use of the Pegasus Software by EU Member States against individuals including MEPs and the violation of fundamental rights (topical debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, even if I turn off my mobile phone, Pegasus can see me, listen to me and know where I am. Pegasus and software of this type are killing democracy, undermining its basic pillars, such as freedom of expression, freedom of privacy, freedom of the press, the right to organise. Do you know what tragedy is? whereas these freedoms are not limited to authoritarian regimes; Even…

7

Mar

2022

EL Speech

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Citizenship and residence by investment schemes (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, investment programmes that could boost the development of society have finally been transformed into a passport production and production plant. A billion-dollar feast for circuits and middlemen. They squeezed the hen with the golden eggs for many years and finally slaughtered her. Of course, the cost is being paid by the people again. We warned and said that arbitrarin…

16

Feb

2022

EL Speech

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EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, Commissioners, the CIA was predicting war today. There was no war. Did anyone want him? Do some people need him? That's a lot of money from gun sales, gas sales, trade. The US speaks of aggression by others, when it spends 800 billion on military spending, it has 800 bases around the world and thousands of soldiers in Europe. Mrs von der Leyen is threatening massive sanctions agai…

15

Feb

2022

EL Speech

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Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer(debate)

Madam President, Mrs Trillet-Lenoir, I would like to thank you for your contribution to the creation of the report. Commissioner, when we talk about cancer, the numbers are frightening. Every nine seconds, a new cancer is diagnosed. Enough of the excuses. Public health should take precedence over private profits. Inequities and inequalities in prevention, early diagnosis and quality patient care s…

6

Oct

2021

EL Speech

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Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, he opened Pandora's box - Pandora's jar, better - and justified the title of a book I read: It's capitalism, you idiot. It all came to light and – I cannot hide, of course – unfortunately Cyprus and its president are mentioned again in Pandora’s box. Cyprus should not be targeted. My place isn't what it looks like on the lists. My land, my island, is inhabited by honest…

6

Oct

2021

EL Speech

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European solutions to the rise of energy prices for businesses and consumers: the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy and the need to tackle energy poverty (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the numbers are frightening. Millions of people in Europe will not be able to heat their homes in the coming winter. Already 60% of the population suffers from energy poverty. In Cyprus, my country, energy poverty plagues one in five of our fellow human beings. A reform of the energy market is needed to drastically reduce prices permanently. The European Union must b…

14

Sep

2021

EL Speech

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Natural disasters during the summer 2021 - Impacts of natural disasters in Europe due to climate change (debate)

Mr President, unfortunately, this year too, in the midst of the pandemic, we have experienced images of biblical destruction throughout Europe. The dangerous side effects of the climate crisis and austerity policies can no longer be ignored. It has been shown in practice that the Rescue EU mechanism cannot respond adequately and that it perpetuates shortages between states by recycling shortages o…