Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, respect for human rights and the rule of law are non-negotiable values for all and – of course – also for Cuba. But this supposed sensitivity of the anti-Cuban lobby that we have heard here tonight about democracy and freedoms in Cuba is hypocritical. Is there a greater violation of human rights than the illegal imposition of the barbaric US embargo against the Cuban people? If the Cuban people are in a dramatic situation, it is for this very reason. Why don't you talk about it? They have literally drowned Cuba and its proud people for 65 years because they chose to take their fate into their own hands. You don't say a word about it. Here, even UN resolutions on the need to lift the embargo against Cuba are violated. Leave the Americans and cheap anti-communism. The European Union – after Draghi says it wants to become autonomous – should develop a dialogue with Cuba on the basis of honesty, equality and reciprocity. Let this proud people live freely on the path they have chosen.

Madam President, Commissioner, history is well known. Listen to her. When the Germans went to Paris, a Nazi officer visited Picasso in his laboratory. Seeing Guernica, the painting of this small Spanish town flattened by Franco with his fascist allies, he asked him: Did you do that? "No," he said, "you." Gaza is the new Guernica these days. When questioned in the future by another Picasso, he will answer that these atrocities and this genocide were committed by the arch-murderer Netanyahu together with his allies; the United States, NATO and the European Union. Gaza is the great disgrace of the Western capitalist world. Already in its ruins were buried the last examples of humanity and sensitivity of the European Union. I ask: How much more blood do you have to shed to get excited? How many deaths will you respond to? Why do you continue to support Netanyahu, a war criminal?

Madam President, Commissioner, let us speak frankly. In Ukraine, it is not only Zelenskyy who is fighting against Putin. In Ukraine, NATO and the European Union are fighting against Russia. And don't tell us we're pro-Putin now to get it over with, because we're not. That's the truth. We defend peace. But you also have to tell your own truth. That you don't care at all about the thousands of young Ukrainians and Russians milled by the war meat grinder in a war waged over fossil fuels, energy, pipelines and to serve imperialist geopolitical rivalries. You're already preparing us for war. Draghi said so; EUR 500 billion for the defence industry over the next ten years. That is, public money to speculate on the war industries. This will dismantle the welfare state, health and education in Europe. And - I say - stop sending weapons at last. Ukraine and Europe need peace, not war.

Madam President, thank you for mentioning this sad anniversary. Fifty years is a long time. Fifty years since the double crime against the Cypriot people. A coup d'état was carried out after it was first organized by NATO. It was carried out by the junta of Athens and the fascist EOKA B in our country. This was followed, unfortunately, by the barbaric Turkish invasion five days later, with tragic consequences. Thousands of dead, missing and a settlement that threatens to diversify my country demographically. We ask you for practical help. Not in words; with projects. I understand that for many, for the Union itself, Turkey is valuable. But it is more valuable – if we want Europe to rise to the occasion – for Europe to uphold international law, to contribute to peace in the region, for talks to resume from where they were left in Crans Montana and for our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to pacify with a bizonal bicommunal federation solution. It would be a blessing for us if in practice you contributed in this direction.

Mr President, Commissioner, Members of the European Parliament are being monitored again with illegal software. This story must finally end. The PEGA Committee worked very hard and gave you everything: Facts, "sinful" companies, names and addresses, guilty states. We also made recommendations. What don't you understand? Aren't you tired of hiding behind inexpensive rhetoric? And here you are, verbally condemning. Words, words, words. Even the Americans imposed sanctions on NSO and Intellexa. Your committee's reaction is deplorable. You caress the Israelis – so much love for them now? –, you cover up the illegalities of European governments, you undermine democracy, you violate our human rights. Now, I'm sure. You do it consciously. But you know that toleration of a crime is considered complicity. Ban these devilish illegal software at last. Or am I asking too much?

Madam President, Commissioner, all of Europe, but also my country, Cyprus, is facing a housing crisis. Rising energy prices, high inflation, austerity policies and stagnant wages make home ownership an elusive dream. One million European citizens are homeless, 40 million people are over-indebted. Poor and middle-class households spend 40% of their income on rent. Single-parent families are mercilessly affected. Young workers and students are paying huge costs. With the new Stability Pact and, so called, Growth, fiscal policies are being implemented leading to a new wave of austerity. If we really want to reduce the problem, there are solutions: new quality jobs, ensuring a minimum and decent income, financial assistance to young people and students, freezing and setting a ceiling on rent, financing new apartments by the State at affordable prices. Let some of them be.

Mr President, Mr Reynders, when you say that we should do and have things, who do you say them to? To us? And what's your job, then? The PEGA Committee worked very hard for fifteen months. We gave you everything: Facts, sinful corporations, names and addresses, guilty states. We also made recommendations, because the problem is very serious. No one was touched. Neither did the government of Cyprus, of course, of my own country, which had too much to do. The reaction of your Committee, if you will excuse me, is deplorable. You are not legislating. You refer us to the national authorities. They are infringing on the grounds of national security and the public interest. The surveillance scandals have no end. Software production and export companies are hoarding. You whistle indifferently. Democracy, whatever democracy you have, is on its way. So much indifference now? Finally, do something. Preserve your prestige.

Mr President, last June, Mrs von der Leyen said that Ukrainians are ready to sacrifice themselves for the European perspective. Previously, with the outbreak of the war, they were arbitrarily and emotionally granted the status of acceding country. I wonder if these are considered criteria for enlargement. Madam Vice-President, you said that criteria must be respected. Recently, the European Court of Auditors stated that there are insufficient anti-corruption safeguards in Ukraine, while also talking about systemic risk from oligarchs and vested interests. Where does the rule of law test go? The issue I am raising concerns neither Ukraine, nor Moldova, nor any other accession country. If they want it and deserve it, let them take it. But are we lowering the standards too low through any enlargement, serving other expediencies? Do the peoples and their interests, their democratisation and prosperity, or the service of geopolitical expediencies by powerful states of the Union ultimately matter?

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 safeguarding themselves. Presidents, prime ministers and other national officials are occasionally involved in scandals. Unfortunately, the former president of my own country, Mr. Anastasiades, along with a handful of clever people. Our people, however, the people of Cyprus, you know, are not a thief. They are honest people who are hard to deal with and angry at what they hear. Because they know that nothing will happen here or in my country. Let me remind you of the Panama Papers. Did you do something? You will talk to us and you have already told us about various legislations, as if that is the problem, while at the same time some people are cunningly closing their eyes to corruption and collusion. Because the problem is systemic. Because a proverb says: One hand washes the other and both the face. That's as simple as that.

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, violence against women and non-defence of peace. And I wonder if you can sleep at night. Let's be honest. It is simply not about overcoming the political deadlocks of the Union or the far right. The far right, after all, you need it once in a while and you invoke and instrumentalize it. You just want to silence the voice of small states, to strengthen powerful states too. In this way, however, this very democracy will be greatly undermined. Your beautiful proclamations do not convince us. Change policies together with the Treaties, but in the opposite direction. But I guess you don't want to and you can't.

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 lives and hypocritical declarations of democracy and human rights? Through intense geopolitical confrontations over control of its energy sources and transport, traditional friends – we know who they are – but also late Armenian allies – the United States, NATO, the European Union – have left Armenians at Aliyev’s mercy. This is how the hypocrisy of those who speak today of an international legal order emerges, and what remains in the end are the double standards and the tragedies of the peoples. These days are days of grief and pain.

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 repressed. A classic definition of an authoritarian state. In addition, Turkey's provocative and illegal actions abroad continue. Syria, Libya, migration, continued occupation of Cyprus, settlement of Varosha, violation of the buffer zone in Pyla, demand for two states, persecution of our progressive Turkish Cypriot compatriots. I would remind you, Commissioner, that if there are two sides in Cyprus, these are the Republic of Cyprus on the one hand and the occupying power on the other. So what do you guys do? What does Europe do? Are you cutting him off for membership? He doesn't want it, and neither do you, to be honest. But you are falling at Erdogan's feet to enlarge NATO, to get away from Putin, to align with the Union's foreign policy. And you offer him gifts, gifts that are expensive. A special relationship of upgrading the customs union without respecting the existing, visa liberalization, gold trading. Things unacceptable, as it will have no obligation neither the Cyprus problem to resolve, nor democracy to build, nor to stop behaving like a pirate in the Mediterranean. But we feel that we have obligations towards European citizens and you towards your history. Is that what you want? Is this a principled policy? I don't think so.

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 safeguarding the privacy of our fellow citizens. Ladies and gentlemen, we are formally faced with a European framework that covers our rights. However, at a time when legislation needs to be implemented in practice, it begins to be dismantled, relying either on national security or on the protection of the public interest. The gold-bearing industry producing and exporting surveillance software continues its work unchecked. The future is likely to be bleak, given the indifferent and even negative attitude shown to our committee by the European Commission and the Council. Unfortunately, the scandal also concerns my country, Cyprus. The recommendations are rigorous and should be taken seriously by both the European institutions and the Member States. After fifteen months of hard work, the issue of surveillance does not end with our vote tomorrow. On the contrary, it's only just beginning.

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 see them here getting very excited about this proposal, perhaps because they know some things from the past. They probably leave aside the clinically dead process of Turkey's accession and are oriented towards a special relationship. This is how the pressure lever is lost. Turkey, despite the threats and only yesterday Mr. Erdogan, receives gifts of customs union and visa liberalisation, just to not fall into the arms of Russia, to remain a strategic partner of NATO and to serve Europeans on migration. Is it time to finally take advantage of AKEL's proposal? In other words, should energy serve as a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem, as your Minister for Energy recently said? I come back to the immigration issue you raised, to say that this is another mockery after the recent agreement of the Home Affairs Ministers on the issue. They copy the notorious EU-Turkey agreement and do not replace the Dublin Regulation with a binding system for allocating refugees to all Member States of the European Union, according to the capabilities of each state. They are pricing asylum-seekers in an immoral way, with countries in the wealthy North paying 20,000 euros each and countries in the South becoming warehouses for people. This is how international and European conventions go. Mr President, Cyprus is once again on the stool with the issue of the illegal Pegasus software, as a country of its production and export. It's also the result of the black van. I welcome your commitment to take action and take account of the Commission's recommendations. You are well aware of the consequences of the banking crisis. Mr Weber has left, and I would like to tell him that if Cyprus was on the verge of an economic crisis, it is not because previous governments made mistakes - it is because the banking crisis, as a result of the great capitalist crisis and the barbaric imposition of the haircut accepted by his friend, Mr Anastasiades, brought us to where we were. The pandemic and the war in Ukraine are creating a big problem with the foreclosures, and there I expect you to respect some European Union directives and avoid a major social tragedy, which is coming. Lead a small country, know that you have great difficulties here with geopolitical, economic and other interests. I solemnly and responsibly declare that we, Madam President, Mr President, will be by your side if you act bravely and boldly, as you said.

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 not have a dictatorship. But is this the rule of law? The recommendations of the Pegasus Commission report that you, but also you as the Council and the Commission, are discrediting, show the way forward. Restoring and strengthening legal and institutional safeguards. Urgently remove all export licences for surveillance software. Ensure free and unhindered investigation of all allegations of spyware crises. Restoring the full independence of the judiciary and all relevant supervisory bodies. Protection of whistleblowers. Ensure the independence of the leadership of the National Transparency Authority. Urgent police investigation for misuse of spyware and seizure of physical data of all those associated with it. What about all this, Mr. Mitchell? Will you do something?

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 policies are needed with a view to sustainable development for the benefit of the peoples. Green capitalism, which rewards the main polluters as green monopolies with a pile of money, cannot continue. There is an urgent need to promote a comprehensive strategy for the development of renewable energy sources. We welcome, Commissioner, the report's attempt to promote Europe-wide general permitting rules for renewable energy projects and installations, calling for accelerated procedures, public planning and priority in deprived areas. We are, of course, concerned about the risk of reducing the requirements in terms of environmental impact and the protection of Natura 2000 sites. Taking advantage of the European directive, we expect that Cyprus will also proceed with future competitions to ensure cheap electricity for our people.

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 another budget. a budget that in practice protects the well-being of citizens, protects wages and labour rights and takes into account the needs created, the new needs in education, health, food, housing. Because – to be honest – not everyone has the same problems. Because some people are gaining from the war, which you finally have to stop. No more militarization of Ukraine. No to new austerity policies. And, finally, Commissioner, tax the super-profits of multinationals. Dare once – can you?

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 Spain. Now a huge scandal has erupted in Greece, where political parties, politicians and journalists are being monitored at the behest of Mr. Mitsotakis himself and his people. Some people, of course – not unjustly – associate this scandal with Cyprus. And all this, as has been said, because there is also a dark European institutional framework that allows it; a framework that only formally protects personal data and privacy. In the relentless questions of the PEGA Committee, the European Union throws the ball at the States, but they also throw it out of the court. In other words, we have before us a cover-up of illegalities and little hope that at some point we will end this fairy tale about real democracy and human rights in the European Union.

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 Russian invasion of Ukraine, on the right side of history. These are shameful things. Is that how we read history? For a Turkey that has done for 48 years in Cyprus what Russia is doing today in Ukraine, that continues to illegally occupy European territory, that is acting in a revisionist way against Greece, that is invading neighbouring countries, that is behaving like a pirate in the Eastern Mediterranean, that is invading the Cypriot EEZ, that is colonising Famagusta, that is deleting the resolutions of the UN and the European Parliament? You want more? It does not respect the decisions of the Council of Europe, imprisons Kavalas and Demirtas and thousands of other Turkish citizens, violates the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in the country, alienates the will of our compatriots Turkish Cypriots, instrumentalizes migration and threatens Europe. Now it is also threatening NATO, and some are putting it on the right side of history. They continue to give her weapons and large sums of money and to pay her back. How will you upgrade the Customs Union when it does not comply with the existing one and does not apply the Supplementary Protocol? Tell us the truth at last. The truth is one: Geopolitical interests and antagonisms override values and law at the expense of peoples. It is a pity, a real pity for the Union.

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 so-called or real democracies chase political opponents, trade unionists, activist journalists. Obviously, we are facing a new evil digital war. These software must be banned or, at best, regulated under strict operating conditions. Commissioner, we as a committee are counting on reaching the end of the matter. But you have an obligation to protect us from modern cyber-insurers. Should someone start worrying or not?

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 arbitrariness and abuses would turn programmes into hotbeds of corruption and collusion, for circuits that market European citizenship. Unfortunately, as a Cypriot, I know this very well. My government may have stopped examining pending applications, but the damage done to Cyprus and to our people is great. We therefore demand transparency and the fight against corruption at every level. We demand that tax havens be closed. Commissioner, I tell you, and you know it very well: Russian, Ukrainian and other oligarchs did not exist only in Cyprus and Malta; They are scattered all over Europe and there is something else: Too many uncollected taxes from the performance of golden passports. Money belongs to society. They should also be demanded and reclaimed to be given to the states that need them.

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 against Russia; It does not tell us who will pay the cost. What about the European peoples? Europe, NATO's tail, is awkwardly watching the developments taking place in its backyard. Chancellor Scholz and President Macron said: Without Russia being safe, not even Europe will be safe. Let's hear the voices of reason. Europe must rise to its feet. This is what its history requires: to stand firmly by the side of peace against war. A diplomatic solution is needed immediately to ensure the non-enlargement of NATO to the East, while at the same time removing Russian troops from Ukraine's borders. To give space to peace.

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 should be removed. I would like to welcome the adoption of our proposal to strengthen public hospitals in terms of prevention, early diagnosis and quality care. Let me say, however, that we are "fed up" with words. Actions will have to be taken. The report is a very good tool. But I call on the Commission and the governments to show a real will to adopt it. We have a lot to do. Today is World Day Against Childhood Cancer. 6 000, please, 6 000 innocent souls in Europe are lost every year to the contagious disease. That is why we call on you to adopt our proposal to increase funding, to provide quality cross-border care, to remove injustices in the treatment of cancer, to produce new medicines and, finally, to be sensitive. And I am sure, Mrs. Kyriakides, that especially you can show sensitivity, because people's lives are not "play-laugh".

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 people, of toil and wages, with their worries and anxieties. After all, the problem is systemic. Corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, threaten as derivatives of a flimsy system to drown us. Who will wash away the shames of all those leaders who, by shaking their fingers, drink the blood of their peoples and at the same time illegally enrich themselves? The Commission shall implement it; He refuses to comment. Let him do something at last! Here's Rhodes, here's the fuck!

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 ban the interruption of energy supplies to consumers. Support low-income households and small businesses, support economically important electricity interconnection projects and help states such as Cyprus achieve the European target of 15% electricity interconnection by 2030 and, finally, through state control and public investment, ensure the human right to energy with equal access to cheap energy as a public social good.