Speeches

Madam President, I'm sorry. Madame Prime Minister! Mr. High Representative, thank you very much. "How many more of your children will not your war take?" sings the Ukrainian band Okean Elzy. Unfortunately, the war has just returned to Europe and is knocking on our door as well. Coordinated aid and sanctions actions have shown the Union as a strong bloc that will not, contrary to the hopes of crazy dictators, only watch the war on its borders. Our sanctions to date exclude Moscow from the civilized world. As a Union, together we must continue the actions that will hit the Kremlin with a devastating force on the Russian economy. These sanctions must hurt Putin, the oligarchs, their families and, unfortunately, ordinary Russians as well. Why is that? Because social discontent and rebellion in the circles of power can prevent the escalation of the conflict and further crimes of this madness. Will the sanctions hurt us? Yes, we are waiting for the Commission's strategy to limit the negative effects of sanctions on Europeans. But there is a price that we too will pay to defend our values. As a community, we must do everything to ensure that there is no sweat and tears on the faces of Europeans again.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Madam Minister, I'm sorry. Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine requires the highest condemnation from the international community, and the perpetrators of this evil should regret the crazy decisions and the resulting tragic consequences. The airstrikes and bombings of housing estates or the blocking of humanitarian corridors carried out by the Russian army should be called a crime and stopped at all costs. Poland and other EU countries have already welcomed around two million refugees from Ukraine and we expect there to be even more. The EU institutions and Member States should be commended for the wide opening of borders and the first humanitarian aid package for Ukraine. However, we must remember to give Ukrainians hope for a relatively normal life in the Union also in the long term. The current assistance provided mainly by ordinary, heart-felt citizens must ultimately replace the concrete financial and organisational support provided by EU and national institutions. Aid programs must be directed primarily to local governments, which already bear the largest costs of direct aid. Efficient legalization of residence, workplaces, medical care and access to education for children must be organized to provide Ukrainian families with peace and a substitute for normality after the atrocities of the war. In Poland, we say that true friends are met in poverty. Today we are going through the biggest test of friendship, community with European Ukraine.

Madam President, President of the French Republic, in March 2020, the French and Dutch ministers published a non—paper on the social and sustainability aspects of EU trade policy. It called for increased efforts by the Commission and Member States to implement ambitious environmental and labour standards, as well as sustainability criteria, into the functioning of the international trading system, and to encourage responsible business conduct. Over 18 months later, we can appreciate that many of those calls have been transformed into the priorities of the French Presidency. However, we lack more details on the fate of one important piece of legislation. The Sustainable Corporate Governance Directive has already been withheld from publication twice by the Commission, and yet the Presidency programme refers to this legislation as a future initiative. Well, the future is now, and the French Presidency should take concrete actions to make this legislation a reality.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Vice-President of the Commission, Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The Czech Republic has already received almost one billion euros, Slovakia over 800 million, Croatia similarly. Instead of this 13% allocation from the RRP, Poles will receive soaring inflation, weak zloty and uncertainty. The objectives of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, namely the green and digital transitions, are something that Poland needs to invest in. Unfortunately, due to party skirmishes in the group holding power this year, there will be no holidays for Poland. The Polish government has Grinch's face today, because although the prime minister has already handed out so many checks without covering the propisist regions during the campaign, he is now taking away the opportunities for development from the Poles. The RRF is also a historic opportunity for Poland. You just have to respect the rule of law. Ladies and Gentlemen, in the context of the gradual departure of Poland from Europe as a Pole and a European, I will say something that everyone in this room will understand: All I want for Christmas for Poland is the EU.

Mr President, thank you very much. The only response to the global challenges created by COVID can be solidarity and responsibility. It is clear to me that we should donate more vaccines to developing countries. We expect the same from other world leaders. If we don't vaccinate the majority of the world's population, we'll never be free of fear. The fight against the pandemic also requires more responsibility from us. When 77% of citizens are fully vaccinated across the EU, this figure is just over 50% in Poland. Refusal to vaccinate increases the risk of hospitalization and severe course of the disease. Overloaded hospitals and overloaded doctors cannot help others in need. I call on the Polish authorities to take decisive action in the field of promoting vaccination and introducing restrictions for the unvaccinated. Saving human life, not political calculation, must be at the forefront of every power. Enough of your delay game and your 500 plus... deaths a day program. Only responsible cooperation between government and citizens can overcome the pandemic. Only in this way will you prove that every life is truly a miracle for you.

Madam President, Commissioner, after five years, we can finally say you can run, you can hide, but you can’t escape tax. The public country-by-country reporting (CbCR) that we are currently adopting, together with the minimum corporate tax rate and the profit reallocation mechanism, will make it more difficult for multinationals to escape paying tax, paying their fair share of tax. With CbCR, big corporations will have to show to the public eye their most crucial tax information concerning each Member State, as well as data connected to their dealings in tax havens, which appear on the black and grey lists. With this in mind, the Council should take further steps in assuring tax transparency. First, reform the tax haven blacklist. Second, Member States must use ambitious sanctions towards those who do not publish relevant information. Tax havens cannot remain some kind of a Club Tropicana where drinks are free.

Mr President, the future of the Western Balkans region will speak volumes about EU credibility as an economic and political power. We remain the region’s main trading and investment partner, but still have to achieve a lot more in geopolitical terms. It is both our moral duty and our strategic imperative to proceed with the integration process of our partners, even if we stumble into problems along the way. The EU is well prepared in terms of providing funds and good practices, as the declared economic investment plan and the Western Balkans Guarantee Facility prove. However, we have to be certain that it is not money for nothing that we are putting in place. Political commitments agreed during the summit have to be transformed into reality, in which respect for the rule of law, legal certainty, respect for human and social rights, fighting corruption, and independent public institutions are working standards, not recommendations, in our integration dialogue. We have to demand extra effort from both the candidate countries and ourselves to guarantee that the integration roadmap is being implemented, the acquis adopted and democratic standards are being upheld. Only then may we expect the integration process to be the success which we all wish to see.

Madam President, I'm sorry. “Look at how well it is still working, how well it holds up in our century. How lightly she takes up the high obstacles, which are easy for her – jump, fall.” The words of the song by Hanna Banaszak, a Polish singer, are constantly gaining news in other places around the world. The inhabitants of Washington, Rome or Warsaw are just some of the many victims of terrorism of stupidity, aggression, whose goals are not only buildings, institutions and order, but above all knowledge, authority, reason and human solidarity. Neither the man dressed as a buffalo looting the Capitol, nor the Black Shirts in Rome attacking the trade union offices, nor even the so-called Black Shirts. The "patriots" who drown out the participants of the Warsaw Uprising have no agenda, no vision, no goal other than chaos and destruction. The barbarians of the 21st century do not even try to discuss, in their understanding the shape of the world should be determined by the argument of force. Our Community was built on the ashes and debris of a hate-stricken Europe, and we must not forget that. There is no room for historical reassurance. When vandals light a fire in our living room and use our family souvenirs as lighters, we can't just watch passively. We all need to be able to stand up to this together. Repeating after Marian Turski, who was resettled during World War II to Litzmannstadt Ghetto and then imprisoned in Auschwitz: "Europe, don't be indifferent, because if you don't, you won't even see how Auschwitz will suddenly fall on you, how it will fall on your inhabitants (...)."

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Prime Minister, I'm sorry. I do not hide that I feel ashamed that once again, through the actions of your government, we are talking about Poland. However, I do not know if you should be here today explaining your lies to MEPs. After all, everyone knows that it is Minister Ziobro who is responsible for EU policy in your government. Recently, in the Sejm, commenting on the disgraceful verdict of the so-called You have suggested to the Court that the European Union is whimsical of European bureaucrats. Mr. Prime Minister, the only whim that affects the lives of Poles is the anti-European obsessions of Jarosław Kaczyński. In the same speech, you spoke about problems with European values. What do you know about values if you divide citizens into different sorts and lift EU flags from offices? You also mentioned freedom. So why, in protests against government decisions and party policies, do your police officers beat up peacefully demonstrators of women and youth, and nationalist militias drown out pro-European speeches, even by the Warsaw Insurgents? Your last quote, Mr. Prime Minister: Today we are at a very crucial moment, one might say at a crossroads in the history of the European Union. This is the only truth that we have heard from your lips, because the history of the Union will be written further with Poland or without Poland. You too, with this so-called sentence, do everything so that we are not co-authors of it. Madam President von der Leyen, Prime Minister Morawiecki's speech is a torrent of lies and half-truths. In Poland, unfortunately, we are already used to it. However, neither the Commission nor you should get used to it. The time to be anxious is over.

Madam President, an excellent report. My congratulations to Danuta. It made me ask myself a question: has the banking union been a success? My answer would be partially yes: the banks are stronger, better capitalised, better supervised and they survived the COVID crisis quite well. But we have to remember that the ultimate rationale for the idea of the banking union is to provide transborder efficient flows of private capital. If this is not the case, we will fail. If we complete the institutional framework of the banking union, let’s look then at the results of it. Will the private capital flow, or not? If not, then the euro will remain on shaky ground forever.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The national reconstruction programme, which the Polish government used to take beautiful pictures with big cheques, has still not been accepted in Brussels. The two main priorities of the Recovery Fund are investments in green solutions and digital development. The Polish government is trying to show that it is playing green, and an ordinary Pole still does not know what energy mix he wants to offer us. What is the role of coal, atom, wind energy. The Polish government at the Commission promotes digital solutions, and with the New Deal it takes money from local governments, which are responsible for education, including digital. The RRP's activities are to be long-term to ensure our development, and the only longer term known to us is the extension of the concession for Turów. Very green and partner for our neighbors, by the way. So why was the Polish KPO written? To quote Prime Minister Morawiecki's favorite band, unfortunately exclusively for mammon.

Mr President, the timing of this debate is symbolic. When we struggle to recover after the pandemic, the multinationals and the rich want to avoid taxes ‘whenever, wherever’ to quote one of the celebrities that popped up in the Pandora Papers. This is wrong, but unfortunately, very often legal. We need concrete solutions to close existing loopholes. First, coordination on the global level with a minimum tax rate, and a mechanism to allocate profits of companies. We cannot accept tax havens and the privileged distorting our tax systems. Second, revisiting the criteria of the EU tax havens blacklist. Why is it that some jurisdictions mentioned in the Pandora Papers are not on our blacklist? Maybe we also need to apply real sanctions against companies that do not pay their fair share. Third, we need to put our European House in order. We cannot preach tax fairness if we have tax havens in the EU.

Mr President, America is back. After the four dark years of Trump, this should make us relieved and focused in co—shaping the world. More, the new partnership relations with the EU also serve President Biden in implementing his global, regional and national goals. At the same time, we should not see EU—US relations through pink glasses. While we share common values, our interests may not necessarily go in the same direction. For example take China, which by the US is perceived as a military, economic and political enemy. Our approach is not identical, even if we share many of America’s concerns. Therefore, especially in times of many uncertainties, we need to treat European strategic autonomy seriously and strive for the goals that are crucial for Europe and Europeans from an economic, political and military point of view. This is also connected to trade issues. In a world ever more fragmented, it is the role of the US and the EU to defend and reinvigorate international institutions and a rules—based international order. Only by example can we lead others to follow in our footsteps. The first meeting of the Trade and Technology Council symbolises a right path to take. However, we still have to work on eliminating irritants which weaken our mutual relations. Finding a joint solution to steel and aluminium excess capacity from third countries and resolving the Boeing—Airbus dispute are just a few examples to name.

Madam President, Commissioner, let me stress what this discussion is about. It is about what 75% of our citizens expect of the EU: to intervene more against tax fraud. In times of an economic, social and health crisis, we cannot afford to lose more funds from taxes. But we are failing. Member States don’t exchange relevant information amongst each other, don’t implement EU legislation on tax cooperation, and seem not to trust other Member States and institutions on tax matters. Here’re some news for the Member States: it will be impossible to fight tax fraud of many big corporations and rich individuals without help from you. What will you give up if you don’t have funds from taxes due to your lack of cooperation: schools, social support, or health? Trust is key. And as the Parliament, we’ll be pushing you to put your pride aside and join forces in this cooperative fight.

Madam President, the last two years were a testing time for the European Union, but here we are; we are still standing. However, the next year must bring us decisions on various important topics. First, how to reform the Stability and Growth Pact. In the short term, we still need to address the health, social and economic consequences of COVID. Yes, we must return to stability criteria, but this requires a transition. A premature withdrawal of stimulus measures will only harm our economies. In the long term, the fiscal rules need to change so that they will not kill investment and growth. We have a pandemic behind us and a digital and climate transition ahead. An ambitious focus on a digital and green revolution needs flexibility in the rules, and this is what we will insist on. From the trade perspective, we expect the Commission to be engaged in the process of reactivating the negotiating function of the WTO, ensuring the proper functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism, and making sure that we can better address future value chain distortions. Finally, we insist on the introduction and implementation of the mandatory due diligence rules aimed at all companies in the EU market whose actions cause harm to the environment, workers and human rights. The upcoming year should bring us change. We hope that, with this Commission, it will also have a social dimension at heart.

Mr President, thank you very much. The European Union needs a new impetus and decisive action in its relations with Russia. Five years after the adoption of the strategy towards Russia, it seems that we are still in the same place. Russia is destabilizing our close neighbourhood, influencing democratic processes within the Union, conducting hostile propaganda, financially supporting anti-European forces, religious fundamentalists and anti-vaccine movements, while unfortunately finding allies in the Union. In addition, it is holding back a peaceful solution to the conflict with Ukraine and igniting further conflicts around our borders. Let's face it, Russia has never taken the EU seriously, rather as a postmodern whim of history. He tries to divide us in order to make it easier to implement his policy. We must stand up to this together, defending the European Union's defence, energy, cybersecurity policies and defending our values. If Russia does not resign from violating international law, undermining our Union, persecuting minorities and democratic forces in our immediate neighbourhood, we must be ready to resort to stronger arguments, such as excluding Russia from the Swift settlement system or freezing the European assets of people associated with the Kremlin. We will always be on the side of democratic Russia, we cannot be weak and divided against autocratic Russia.

Madam President, Commissioner, recent years have shown the need for a meaningful change of the EU macroeconomic framework. We need flexible rules, enhancing our growth potential and increasing sustainable public and private investment. We need the economic governance not to forget about its social factor. We need a European Semester that is accepted and not ignored. And we need it now, before the current general escape clause stops to function. A paradigm shift is there. It’s not the time for obsolete divisions between the north and the south in the Council, left and right in the Parliament. It is crucial to find common objectives that will lead us to solutions. The times, they are a-changing, and so should our economic governance. And we must remember – it is an existential matter for the European project.

Madam President, I perceive the role of the presidency to be to guide us through political and economic challenges we might face in the EU. The voice of the presidency should give a certain shelter from storms, such as huge divisions between countries. The programme of your presidency on paper gives hope that the most crucial topics are addressed. You want to guide our community through a crucial economic recovery process. You plan to discuss with us the future of Europe, helping us understand what we want and expect. You aim to address our global position with a focus on ensuring security and stability in our neighbourhood. These points, I have to say, gain my full support. Still, there is one thing that is non—negotiable: our fundamental values of which the rule of law is core. The rule of law is about making all citizens feel safe, maintaining and strengthening the freedom of the press, respecting the rights of minorities, and ensuring a fair process to every citizen. Sure, no country is perfect in this respect, but the recent years have started to create a division between the Central European States and the rest. It is your chance, Prime Minister, to prove that this is not the case. Please address the breach of the rule of law in the EU. Do not ignore any country that might undermine our common values, including your own country.