What Jan-Christoph spoke about.

13

Jun

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Situation in Lebanon (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Lebanon is in a dramatic economic and financial crisis. In particular, the galloping inflation makes the population to create. You have to imagine from an exchange rate of 1 to 1,500 they are at an exchange rate of 1 to 90,000 to the dollar. This has an impact on the population for all areas of life. The reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund cannot be implemented, because we have in Lebanon a corrupt political class that puts self-interest before that of the country, and also the political arm of Hezbollah, which makes any majority-finding impossible. In this difficult situation, we have about one and a half million Syrians in Lebanon. And I think it is good, Commissioner, that you mentioned the Syria conference, because it is also important for Lebanon. I believe it is important that we give an international signal that we support Lebanon in this situation. Many Syrians have always been in Lebanon and have worked there. You have to tell the truth. It is not a question of bringing these Syrians back to Syria, because there, in particular, the men must fear never to see their families again, never to reappear. We must not allow this to happen, but we must ensure that people who have fled the war and the dictator are further protected. But we must, of course, help Lebanon to support these refugees in their country.

10

May

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Externalising asylum applications and making funding to third countries conditional on the implementation of return agreements (topical debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen. Yesterday we celebrated Europe Day. This European Union is a direct response to what happened in this Second World War. We've decided to work together so that something terrible like this can't happen again. We learned a second lesson from the Second World War, namely that the Nazis persecuted people – because of their sexual orientation, their religion, their nationality, their origin – there is a right to asylum. This European Union is a place of freedom and democracy and human dignity for all those in the world who are persecuted for the very reasons why the Nazis persecuted other people in Europe. Therefore, this right to asylum is also non-negotiable. If you want to negotiate it, ladies and gentlemen, as today's fascists no longer want the right to asylum, you are leaving the European consensus on values. It is clear to me that this asylum and migration pact must defend the European consensus on values. With the immigration of qualified people, Madam President, with the repatriation of those who do not have the right to asylum, but also with the help of those who ... (The President withdrew the floor from the speaker.)

18

Apr

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

The need for European solidarity in saving lives in the Mediterranean, in particular in Italy (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner! It is, of course, unbearable that people drown in the Mediterranean Sea. I would like to say again at this point that it is a state task to rescue people from distress at sea. I call on the Member States and the Council to finally relaunch a state rescue mission at sea. The fact that we are discussing this at this point is because Italy has declared a state of emergency because of 30,000 refugees who have arrived, ladies and gentlemen. In Poland there are one million Ukrainian refugees, in Germany there are one million Ukrainian refugees. I think we should put this in relation, ladies and gentlemen. There's no reason to declare a state of emergency, it's about making work better. We here in Parliament are doing the work on migration policy. We have just adopted the negotiating mandates for the migration pact in the Committee on Internal Affairs, ladies and gentlemen! It can go on because, of course, we have a duty to deliver that we actually make regulation better in the European Union. That is what we want to do, ladies and gentlemen. I hope that the Member States will soon be able to launch a negotiating mandate so that we can enter into these negotiations. I believe it is about keeping a cool head, that we do factual work, ladies and gentlemen, that is what people expect of us. And, of course, we need solidarity with the Member States where refugees arrive first, but we also need humanity and the rule of law in this matter. If we let ourselves be guided by it, then we will also produce good results.

17

Apr

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System - Monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport - Carbon border adjustment mechanism - Social Climate Fund - Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System for aviation (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I think it is good that we are taking the big step today when it comes to voting on the main dossiers today. It is important that we strengthen emissions trading as an essential market-economy instrument in this area, because this will ensure, ladies and gentlemen, that CO2 savings are made where they are most favourable. That is a good principle, ladies and gentlemen, that we use the market mechanisms here. As rapporteur in the Committee on Transport for the ETS in aviation, I am also particularly proud that we have managed to SAF allowances keep it in the file, because that will ensure that the market will absorb alternative aviation fuels much faster, and that will ensure that it will be even faster that we will be climate neutral by flying. But I would also like to say in the end, as a Free Democrat, that it is important that we do not lose sight of one thing in this legislative package, namely that we need all technological options if we are to achieve the climate goals. Some people don't want to hear that, but that applies to nuclear energy as well as to alternative fuels. carbon capture and others. We need all of this if we are to achieve our climate goals.

15

Mar

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Tunisia: Recent attacks against freedom of expression and association and trade unions, in particular the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, The European Parliament stands with the Tunisian people. We stand with those who fight for democracy, who fight for their country not to continue on this path towards dictatorship. Tunisia is currently on this path. It has been on the way since President Saied basically abolished the Constitution. There were questionable elections with 11% turnout, which show what the Tunisian population thinks of these elections, ladies and gentlemen! But things are getting more and more dramatic in Tunisia. Journalists can no longer do their job. Noureddine Boutar, the head of the largest independent radio, has been arrested. The judges who oppose the system are raised to their posts and, ladies and gentlemen, these are not all signs of democracy, they are signs of autocracy. We can't accept that. We expect the constitutional order to be restored, freedom of expression to be guaranteed, people to be able to gather, to form associations, to be able to participate actively in civil society. We stand with these people and we are fighting for them here in the European Parliament.

15

Mar

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Deaths at sea: a common EU response to save lives and action to ensure safe and legal pathways (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Maritime rescue is, of course, a state task, and for far too long we have been counting on non-governmental organisations to take on this task. In this respect, what is happening in the Mediterranean is dramatic, and it is all the more dramatic if it is also happening in European waters – in Italian waters, as in this case. But, ladies and gentlemen, what we really need is not just a solution to the issue of rescue at sea – where, of course, we need a solution – but what we really need is the big throw, ladies and gentlemen. This month, here in the European Parliament, in the Committee on Internal Affairs, we will vote on all the migration files and finally find a position for ourselves as the European Parliament. So that we can deliver, so that citizens get what they expect of us, namely finally a solution to the migration and asylum question, which is European, which gives European answers, ladies and gentlemen, the Council must also, and the Member States must also move. It is not possible for everyone to withdraw to maximum positions, but everyone must be willing to compromise. We need a solution to the crisis, we need a solution to the Dublin succession and to solidarity within the European Union. If we fail to come up with solutions here, proposals that we can then negotiate, where we finally actually pass laws, ladies and gentlemen, citizens will rightly say: You didn't get it!

15

Feb

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

EUCO conclusions: the need for the speedy finalisation of the Road Map (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen. Why can't we get any further, citizens ask themselves when it comes to migration policy. And you are right to ask yourself this question. Since 2015/16, since the great migration crisis, Member States have been blocking any legislative progress on this issue. And now the pressure is particularly high due to a large number of additional refugees from Ukraine; At the local level, we see this. And we need answers, and citizens expect answers. And the Council is working now, addressing these current issues. But I think sometimes we forget the long-term goal. Of course, we need to address short-term problems. Of course, we also need to improve on deportation and to do so we need agreements with third countries. But what we really need is finally a common European asylum system. What we finally need is an answer to the question of how solidarity between Member States in Europe can be organised. What we finally need is faster asylum procedures, and what we finally need is easier and better access to the European labour market so that people do not end up in the asylum system. That is what we need, and I expect the Council to finally move forward.

14

Feb

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Response to the situation in Tunisia (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I am shocked at the weak perception that the Commission and the Council are giving here. I do not know who prepared yours for you, ladies and gentlemen, but this does not reflect the reality that is currently prevailing in Tunisia. In Tunisia, there is a president called Saied, who has eroded democracy, abolished parliament, then rescheduled elections later, in which not everyone could participate freely, in which most parties did not participate, with an electoral turnout of 11.4%. And you are talking about the fact that we should move on to the agenda, that we should acknowledge this, ladies and gentlemen? You really can't be serious about asking us to do this. We must do the opposite, ladies and gentlemen. Because what is happening in Tunisia right now is that next to the coup d'état of democratic institutions, the judiciary is next. And we have, as the colleague has already said, 57 judges who have been removed from office, and now it's the press' turn. Il faut le dire très clairement, chers collègues, à cet instant: Le Parlement européen se tient aux côtés du peuple tunisien. Nous luttons avec vous pour la démocratie, nous luttons avec vous pour l’état de droit et nous luttons avec vous pour la liberté de la presse. Aujourd’hui, le directeur d’une station de radio, Noureddine Boutar, a été arrêté. Cette arrestation est inacceptable: il faut une réaction ferme et forte de l’Union européenne contre ce régime tunisien.

14

Feb

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

CO2 emission standards for cars and vans (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. We all have the goal of achieving the Paris climate goals. And, of course, the transport sector must contribute to this and also be decarbonised. For this, I think we need innovation and inventiveness. We have therefore always fought for this transformation to be open to technology. Because even the combustion engine can drive climate-neutrally with alternative fuels. The combustion engine is not per se harmful to the climate, but it is the question of how it is refueled. And that is why we have asked the Commission to make a new proposal on how the combustion engine can continue to be used in the future with only climate-neutral alternative fuels. Unfortunately, this proposal is waiting. There is no reasonable reason to ban the incinerator per se. That is why I will not agree with this proposal either, because those who want to ban are only afraid of one: Innovation and competition. This is exactly what will bring us forward on the subject of decarbonisation.

1

Feb

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Preparation of the Special European Council meeting of February, in particular the need to develop sustainable solutions in the area of asylum and migration (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I think I hear the words of the Christian Democrats here in the hall, that we should move forward on the migration pact. However, I now lack the belief that they really want it. Have you seen this ugly face of the extreme right in the speeches here in this room today? Do you really want to imitate this, ladies and gentlemen of the EPP, and dwarf yourself, as the French Conservatives did, because they emulated the extreme right? Ladies and Gentlemen! We have agreed a roadmap here in this Parliament, together, to move forward on the Pact on Asylum and Migration. Be willing to compromise! Go to the middle and do not try to fish at the right edge and collect votes there, because you will not succeed. Let us work together to ensure that we have a single European system. If you really want fewer people to drown in the Mediterranean, don't make sure that NGOs are somehow thrown between their legs here, but make sure that there is a state maritime rescue mission so that we don't have to leave this to the NGOs. Ladies and gentlemen, I really think you have to ask yourself where you want to go. Let me tell you: In the middle, we are ready to work with you and find compromises to get a good European solution off the ground. But we won't chase you if you run to the extreme right.

18

Jan

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Criminalisation of humanitarian assistance, including search and rescue (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Why are we discussing this question today? We are discussing this issue because in Italy, once again, the government is trying to make life difficult for sea rescuers with flimsy reasons. And that is a scandal, ladies and gentlemen, and that is what we must call it. But we are also talking about it because NGOs have to step in in the Mediterranean to save people from distress at sea, because there is no state maritime rescue mission. I would like to make it clear at this point: I think that's a state task, that we take care that people who are in distress at sea are saved. And that is why I also call on the Member States to finally launch a sea rescue mission again and to ensure that NGOs no longer have to step in and do the work of those who should actually do so, namely the states of the European Union. At the same time, however, we must do everything we can to ensure that people no longer have to set off on this dangerous route. And that, in my view, means that we need to create more legal pathways to Europe, legal pathways, for example, in the field of resettlement – this has just been mentioned – where, as a Parliament, we finally have an agreement with the Council. But we also need legal pathways into the labour market, ladies and gentlemen. And as liberals, we have also put forward a good instrument for this. This is the Talent pool, on which people from third countries should be able to apply to come to Europe to work with us. Then we finally have fewer people who have to go on this dangerous route and fewer people who die in the Mediterranean. That would be an important contribution to more human rights in Europe.

17

Jan

2023

Speeches DE

Watch

Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - annual report 2022 (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Human rights are indivisible and belong to all people, regardless of gender, age, religion, origin, sexual orientation or political attitude. Anyone who criticizes human rights violations elsewhere must, of course, be exemplary. That is why it is important that we also attack human rights violations within the European Union. There are plenty of examples of this, ladies and gentlemen: Abortion bans and LGBTI-free zones in Poland, spying on political opponents in Greece, ill-treatment of migrants, for example, in Croatia and much more. But of course we can also do more outside, ladies and gentlemen: It is important that the External Action Service of the European Union stands even more closely with human rights defenders, supports them and does not cuddle with authoritarian regimes. And we finally need the abolition of the unanimity principle, ladies and gentlemen, on foreign policy issues, so that sanctions can finally be imposed more quickly on those who commit human rights violations. A final sentence, ladies and gentlemen, because I am tired of the conservative side saying: “Religious freedom is restricted if we represent LGBTI rights and such rights.” – No, that's not the point! It's just that everyone has the right to be what they are, to make the decisions they want to make, and that no religion in this world can forbid these people to do so.

13

Dec

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

Turkish airstrikes on northern Syria and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, It is clear, of course, that terrorist attacks such as the Istanbul attack must be condemned. I think there's no doubt about that. In my view, however, it is also clear that the military strikes that were subsequently carried out, so to speak, in retaliation by Turkey in Syria and northern Iraq must be condemned in the same way, because these military strikes affect the Kurdish civilian population in particular, and this is unacceptable. I expect Turkey to give priority to de-escalation. This is because the region is not only about Turkey, but also about the stability of neighbouring countries. And the territorial integrity of Iraq in particular must not be negotiable. It is also a setback in the fight against Islamist terrorism. Because let's remember: When the war in Syria was in its peak, it was the Kurdish fighters who fronted the fight against Islamist terrorism in Syria and fought alongside us against Islamist terrorists. We must not negotiate this at this point. I call on Turkey to be moderate. Such behavior, as it is shown, is unacceptable.

13

Dec

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession (debate)

Mr Colleague, I would like to thank you for clearly stating that there are no reasons under the rule of law for Romania and Bulgaria to be rejected by the Austrian Government, but that there are other reasons why you are clearly breaking a rule of law procedure on the part of Austria at this point. Thank you for this openness. You said that migration policy is the issue. Are you aware that it is easier to control migration movements when Romania and Bulgaria are part of the Schengen area and not outside the Schengen area? Do you realize that yesterday in the LIBE Committee we decided on the Eurodac mandate, so that we are taking clear steps towards a common asylum and migration policy? That's why I urge you to: Stop blocking this because it's going ahead, even in the sense you want it to.

13

Dec

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession (debate)

Mr President, Mr Minister, Commissioner! Schengen is undoubtedly one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. It inspires trust, it is a zone of freedom and prosperity. The fact that Austria has led this movement, which has led to Bulgaria and Romania not being admitted, for domestic political reasons – and exclusively domestic political reasons – is shabby, ladies and gentlemen, it is shabby and unjustifiable with nothing. Because the truth is that Bulgaria and Romania already have the SchengenAcquis partly better than Member States that are already in the Schengen area. That is the truth, and it must be said at this point, ladies and gentlemen! Therefore, I expect that this blockade attitude will be urgently, urgently abandoned. Ladies and gentlemen, we even have the opportunity to do so. The Council is meeting again, and the Heads of State and Government must correct what has been screwed up by the Ministers of the Interior at this point. I want to make that very clear here. We are, of course, pleased that Croatia, which has already met all these criteria, is now being included in the Schengen area. But that is only half the way, ladies and gentlemen. The Commissioner is right. It is not just a question of the trust of the people of Romania and Bulgaria, who must trust that we keep our word, but it is a question of the rule of law and of principles. Romania and Bulgaria comply with all the criteria on their way to the Schengen area, which is why they are entitled to be included in the Schengen area. I call on the Austrian People's Party, which led the whole thing, to abandon the blockade and finally clear the way for Romania and Bulgaria.

12

Dec

2022

Speeches EN

Watch

Addressing persistent challenges in the aviation sector and the impacts on passengers, workers, capacity and safety (debate)

Madam President, we’re talking about persistent challenges and one of those persistent challenges is not well addressed, from my point of view, and this is the change of legislation that we do in this House very regularly, dear colleagues, and this is challenging for the aviation sector because it is a global business, and in this global business we are addressing, on a European level, policies that are changing the market. We have ReFuelEU aviation with the blending mandate. We have, possibly, a kerosene tax and we have now the deal for ETS aviation. So all this is raising the prices, and it’s rightly so, because the prices do not reflect the CO2 emissions from the sector. But this has consequences as well on the level playing field, on connectivity and on market distortion. So I am happy that in the ETS aviation file we included the CEF allowances that have been developed and in my office in order to address some of those challenges. But one last sentence as well. As we talk about CO2 emissions, there’s no, and I repeat no, single good argument for not doing the single European sky. And you said to us, Madam Commissioner, you count on us in order to deliver the single European sky. We are ready to do so. But please convince with us the Member States that are blocking this. We can solve up to save up to 10% of CO2 emissions if we realise the single European sky. We cannot wait for this. We have to use it.

23

Nov

2022

Speeches FR

Watch

Forced displacement of people as a result of escalating conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, a humanitarian disaster is taking place in the Congo. Six million people have been internally displaced. Two and a half million children are malnourished. Colleagues, we cannot close our eyes to this. And all because an armed conflict is taking place in Congo, which is sometimes supported by external forces, which has just been said. This violence must stop. The rebels, who are supported by other countries, must be disarmed. But above all, ladies and gentlemen, the atrocities committed in this country – especially with regard to sexual violence against women, which is used systematically and as a weapon of war – must stop and all those who commit such crimes must be brought to justice and brought to justice.

23

Nov

2022

Speeches EN

Watch

Human rights situation in Egypt (debate)

Mr President, colleagues COP 27 has shed a light on the dire situation of human rights in Egypt, and COP 27 could have been an opportunity to bring a better situation for human rights, for the government to show that Egypt is committed to human rights. But all they’re doing is just the contrary. Yes, they have put in place a presidential pardon committee. But let’s be honest colleagues, they pardoned people that never should have been detained. They detain arbitrarily people that are against the regime. No opposition is allowed. And so then afterwards, they say, ‘OK, we do a presidential pardon’. Sorry, colleagues, this is not a step forward for human rights. This is just nonsense from my point of view. And we should be very clear: there are hundreds and thousands of people detained arbitrarily that have no access to fair trials. These are lawyers. These are journalists. These are human rights defenders, bloggers, etc. So all those people, we want them to be free, to be able to speak out loud what’s happening in their country at the moment. And I want to name personally Alaa Abd El—Fattah. He is in prison since a long time, and he was close to death only a couple of days ago during COP 27. And I call on the European Commission and the Member States to step up for Alaa Abdel Fattah. I call on the Egyptian Government to free him because he should be free and he should go back to UK, to his family.

23

Nov

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

The need for a European solution on asylum and migration including search and rescue (debate)

Mr President, dear representatives of the Commission and the Council, ladies and gentlemen! Actually, I am tired of having these debates; I say this very clearly at this point. We have nothing new that we are debating here. The Council gives us a lukewarm speech that does not even take advantage of speaking time because you have nothing to say. The Commission presents us with a 20-point programme, but this is actually just old wine in new tubes. Ladies and gentlemen, we have no problem with knowledge; We have a problem with action, and that is what we need to address here. Then there is the request from the EPP to have the debate here, and the Council is quite weeping and says: Yes, we must finally make progress on the Migration Council. Yes, of course we need progress on the migration pact, of course we need the pact. But it is not because of this European Parliament that we are not making any progress at all in the area of migration and asylum, but because there are no majorities in the Council in favour of constructive policies. That's the problem. And you could act. Why do we have non-governmental organizations that rescue at sea in the Mediterranean? That's because we don't do state sea rescue in the Mediterranean. And the Malta Maritime Rescue Zone isn't even working properly; People are drowning while we're discussing this. I am tired of having these debates. I am tired of waiting for progress to finally be made in the Council. And, ladies and gentlemen, you can act in the Council. You can make progress, because we even have points where we agree. Put them into effect at last! Put it into effect, and we'll have progress. And one thing to finish: If we fail, if the Council fails to find a solidarity mechanism and organise majorities in the Council for it, then we will not make any progress at all on the migration pact.

9

Nov

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

Full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in Croatia (debate)

Mr President, Vice-President of the Commission, ladies and gentlemen. Croatia has made a real effort and has managed to meet the criteria for joining the Schengen area within a very short period of time. And I am very, very happy that we can make this decision today, that the four million Croats can become part of the Schengen area and that Croatia will become part of the Schengen area. This means not only that four million Croatians can travel to the Schengen area, but also that Europeans can travel to Croatia visa-free. And if you know the traffic jams at the border in summer, you are happy that this is now easier to do in Croatia. And this step of not only having Schengen freedom with 1 January 2023, but also getting the euro, is really a big decision for Croatia, is also a big decision for Europe and an important, a big success. Freedom of movement is the greatest asset we have within the European Union. And that is why it is so important that we comply with the rules we have in Europe at this point. And one of these rules is that fundamental rights are respected in the European Union. And what we have sometimes criticised about Croatia – namely that there have been fundamental rights violations against migrants at the border – we can even better control in the Schengen area at this point. And that is why it is good that Croatia becomes a member, and the next step is that Romania and Bulgaria also become members of the Schengen area, because they also meet the criteria.

19

Oct

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

Political situation in Tunisia (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner! There is no doubt that Tunisia is one of the European Union's most important partners in the region. But Tunisia has unfortunately taken the wrong path since President Saied came to power, namely the path to a dictatorship. The constitution, which has just been adopted – with a participation of less than 30%, if official figures are to be believed at all – is illegitimate and equips the president with a wealth of power that only exists in dictatorships. What happens afterwards? As a result, just 57 judges were removed from office because they were unwilling to investigate and judge political opponents. Against politicians fighting for democracy in Tunisia. I stand in solidarity with these judges, ladies and gentlemen, and it is a shame that a president can simply dismiss these judges. The rules for the elections, which are to be held in December, are changed by decree by the president so that political parties can no longer participate properly, can not put up their candidates and the elections become a farce by the fact that in principle only puppets of the president can be elected. Ladies and gentlemen, we must support Tunisia. Yes, we are in solidarity with the Tunisian people. We must not, however, support Tunisia's path to dictatorship.

18

Oct

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

Impact of Russian invasion of Ukraine on migration flows to the EU (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Ukraine was attacked on 24 February, and the European Union's response was very quiet thereafter. With the TPD, the Temporary Protection Directive, we have used a good tool, Commissioner, to help Ukrainians. That was a success. The Europeans have opened their hearts and their homes. Now come Russians, more Russians who refuse Putin. And ladies and gentlemen, as Europeans, we also have a responsibility towards these Russians who oppose the system and must offer these Russians a safe haven, a safe haven. And these people must also be able to find protection in Europe, as well as the people who have fled Ukraine. Finally, I would also like to say a sentence on the migration pact. Because, of course, the TPD is not a response to the migration pact, and I would like to say in particular to those Member States that are now calling for the European Union to help: Yes, the European Union must help, but these Member States must also give up their blockade against the migration pact.

18

Oct

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

UN Climate Change Conference 2022 in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt (COP27) (debate)

Mr President! The world looks to Sharm el-Sheikh, the world looks to Egypt. And I don't want to talk to you about climate, but about human rights. Because Egypt is a country where people who criticize the system, who are critical of the government, simply disappear from the streets, are put in prisons and then do not come out again, who are tortured and sometimes never see the light of day again. Ladies and gentlemen, COP27 will take place in a country where human rights are trampled underfoot. And I believe that we, as the European Union, must not turn a blind eye to this, but address it to those who are responsible in Egypt. And that is why I believe that in the resolution we are adopting here in this Parliament we must also find strong words on the human rights situation in Egypt, on political prisoners. And I would like to name one of them personally: This is Alaa Abd El-Fattah. He has been on a hunger strike for many weeks. He threatens to die in the oppression of this Egyptian regime. And I believe that we, as the European Parliament, must raise our voices for these political prisoners who are oppressed by this regime.

18

Oct

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

Continued internal border controls in the Schengen area in light of the recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (C-368/20) (debate)

Mr President! The decision of the European Court of Justice is a slap, a slap for the Member States that have introduced border controls. But he is also a slap in the face for the Commission. It is actually the Commission's task to check whether border controls are really used as a last resort, whether there really has been no other alternative to border controls. The Commission does not do that. And the Member States do not do it either, because it is convenient to have introduced border controls once and then difficult to get away from them politically. That is the truth, ladies and gentlemen. That is why, after this judgment, I expect exactly what the Commissioner has said to happen now, namely that the Member States critically review: Is that really necessary? This applies to my own country, namely Germany, as well as to France, Sweden, Austria and all the other Member States which have introduced these border controls. Otherwise, the Schengen promise is a hollow promise. We want Schengen to live. That is why we want Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia to become part of this Schengen area. But for this, the Schengen area must work, and this includes the absence of border controls.

17

Oct

2022

Speeches DE

Watch

Sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative) - Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (debate)

Dear Mr President, Commissioner! The decarbonisation of the transport sector is certainly one of the most exciting tasks we have to face right now, because it is necessary if we are to achieve the climate targets. But at the same time it is really difficult, this task, because, on the one hand, we must strike a balance between the competitiveness of our economy, between the prices that consumers have to pay and, at the same time, ambitious climate targets that we want to achieve. I think that, by and large, we actually have a good compromise package on the table here, which we also support. However, I would like to express two thoughts here. One is: We are very, very committed to electrification. In the case of cars, everyone is aware of this and has somehow gone over into the self-image of the citizens. But electricity will also play a major role in the maritime sector when it comes to actually supplying ships with electricity in ports, for example. However, we have networks that are not designed for this purpose. Throughout Europe, we do not have these networks that are designed to do so. I firmly believe that one of the most difficult challenges is not to build charging stations, but to align the grids for electricity with the fact that these power capacities are actually available. The second is: For the maritime sector, we do not yet know which will be the best solution. And we will get different best solutions depending on the usage situation, depending on the size of the ship, depending on the application, depending on the region. I think we have to be careful that we approach this story with greater openness to technology. LNG will play an important role, but of course also hydrogen and other alternative fuels. And for that, we probably need to set even more ambitious goals.