Speeches

Madam President, I'm sorry. This war can end today, it can end tomorrow. One of Putin's orders and this war will cease to be continued. Just as he triggered it with a single order to attack Ukraine, so Putin can end it. Because he's the only one responsible for this drama, for this massacre. How many more children have to die, how many women, how many civilians, how many senselessly sent, including Russians, to their deaths? Russia must pay the highest price for this attack and aggression, so as not to think about similar attacks in the future. Because yes, this war didn't start four years ago. It started in 2008 with the attack on Georgia. It started even earlier: the adoption of an anti-European strategy in 2006. We said this as Poles across divisions. We warned against Russia, against Putin, against this imperial mentality. That is why we should draw conclusions today. We need sanctions, full isolation, punishment of the guilty, but also our own ability to defend ourselves. Self-protection, strong border protection, protecting our security – this is the task of a common Europe today. And since I am the last to speak in this debate, I think on behalf of the majority, as the representative of all European societies in the European Parliament, I would like to say: Ukraine has already won! It will be free, it will be democratic, it will be European. Europe must be strong. We're gonna win. We'll do it!

Madam President, I'm sorry. We in Poland believe in freedom, we believe in democracy, we believe in security based on international law. That is why we believe so much that a strong, solidarity-based, loyal Europe is the most important value that we must strengthen, that we must defend. And all those who weaken our community are pursuing Putin's goals, because he is threatening international security, threatening us Europeans and saying it directly. All those who want a weaker Europe are, in fact, its collaborators. And I wanted to say that partnership is very important. If we have a transatlantic alliance, then as Vice-President of the European People's Party in charge of foreign policy, I have to say one thing: Neither the Member States, nor we here in Parliament, nor any European will give in to blackmail. If President Trump says he wants to strengthen Greenland's security, the answer is very simple. Yes, together with the founder of the North Atlantic Alliance, Denmark, but also with every other member of the Alliance, we will defend every centimeter of land against Russian aggression – or any other – because that is the basic principle of partnership in the Alliance. It is so simple and obvious that if someone says otherwise, it is no wonder that we have to put a big question mark over the effectiveness of such an alliance. That is why Europe must be, I repeat, strong, united. Unanimity is also our strength. If Viktor Orban is trying to weaken us, then Europe cannot be played by Viktor Orban. In a moment it will be the past. But we cannot give in to any other politician who tries to weaken our unity. A united and united Europe will prevail.

Madam President, Commissioner, Madam Minister, dear colleagues, after a long procedure, it is with pleasure that I present you today, together with my colleague Matjaž Nemec, the joint text of the budget for 2026 agreed during the Conciliation Committee two weeks ago. I am proud to inform you that we have secured, in the budget for 2026, not only an increase in the amount, but also with the right focus on Parliament's priorities. The context in which we were involved was extremely challenging: the penultimate year of the MFF, but also the war, natural disasters and geopolitical threats, higher spending needs for EU budget, as well as increased NGO reimbursement costs. Despite all the problems, we never lost sight of our main priority, which remained providing a secure, stable and stronger Europe for citizens. The negotiations started in a very tense mood. That is why I am proud of our common achievement. We not only obtained our total top‑up, close to 400 million, but also secured increases for flagship programmes such as Horizon Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility and civil protection mechanisms. We ensured support for European farmers with the promotion of EU agricultural products, for our health system, and also for our students. But most importantly, thanks to this budget, we will make our Union more secure by securing the border protection, reinforcing military mobility and supporting both southern and eastern neighbourhoods. Dear colleagues, I am particularly proud of what we have delivered. We have reached a good agreement. We have listened to each other and to our colleagues from different committees, and this was reflected by the strong mandate that you gave us. We have remained united around our common priorities until the finish line. I would like to thank you, our colleagues, from Greens to Patriots, that we have been together until midnight, and even till 3 a.m., when the agreement was signed. I must admit that I was impressed by the committed spirit that we have been driven by during this negotiation. It was a real pleasure and honour to work with you. This course of action has made us as a Parliament stronger. I believe that we can continue this style of work. From this place, I would like also to thank both the Council and the Commission. I would especially like to thank the Commissioner personally: it is really important to emphasise that the role of honest broker was really fulfilled. In the end, I would like to thank you and thank you for the trust. Also I would like to thank the Chair for his leadership during the negotiations. I hope that tomorrow we will have good information for our citizens, that the agreement will be adopted, that we will sign the document and then we can continue our work next year.

Madam President, I'm sorry. On behalf of the European People's Party, I would like to start this debate with a very simple sentence: Aliaksandr Lukashenka is a dictator. Aliaksandr Lukashenka is a usurper, because he knows and we know that in 2020 he lost and stole the presidency. But today is also a very important day to meet the Sakharov Prize laureate. I hope that this award will go to Andrzej Poczobut, a steadfast man, whom Aliaksandr Lukashenka did not close his mouth, despite the fact that he took away his freedom. I hope that political prisoners in Belarus will be free. They will be free like Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who today will have the chance to speak from this tribune. And one day Andrzej Poczobut will also speak from it. And I wonder what he would tell us today. And he would say, I think, one thing: Values are not traded. I think we should be very consistent in advocating for freedom for political prisoners. I would like to emphasise that sanctions work. Aliaksandr Lukashenka's place is before the International Criminal Court. He should answer there, not look for a place in the political salons. That is why I would like to confirm once again: keep calm, sanctions on. Let's be consistent.

Mr President, dear colleagues, thank you for this debate. Yes, we are facing new challenges. Yes, we are living in very tough times. But we have to be also offensive and responsible. And I believe in dialogue. We are different, but what I would like to emphasise is that we had a good understanding of our priorities in building the strong, united proposal of Parliament, and we cannot destroy this work. From the Greens to the ECR by the Renew Group, the S&D and the EPP, together we have to build our strong united position to achieve success during the negotiations, which is achievable, of course. So I would like to emphasise, once again, that we cannot accept the cuts, especially on flagship programmes like Erasmus+ or Horizon. We would like to have top-ups on very important issues, including EU4Health. We have a new committee and this is the first step for a better future, of course initially. It's the first time we have support for external border protection, including in the budget, support so widely in Parliament – do not ignore that this is the first time. So I think that we are close to also having satisfied conciliation and the negotiations, including understanding from both sides – the European Commission and and the Council. But we have to be united and strong tomorrow. So please vote in favour of this resolution and the proposal.

Madam President, dear Minister, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, welcome to this debate on the position of Parliament on the budget of the European Union for 2026. The EU budget is an investment budget designed to provide the necessary resources to all European citizens, who can benefit from common action. Experts agree in saying that the EU budget is a crucial tool for a robust and stronger Europe, and this is also recognised by our citizens, who rightfully expect more and more from the EU budget. The latest Eurobarometer 2025 survey highlights Europeans' expectations for security, unity and more resources to address global challenges. In the face of geopolitical uncertainty, citizens across the Union are calling for stronger protection and greater solidarity. This is exactly what Parliament's position is about. Back in April, Parliament adopted a strong set of guidelines for the financial year ahead of us, underlining the importance of strategic preparedness and security, as well as economic competitiveness and resilience. We made it clear that we expect the 2026 budget to provide people in the European Union with a robust ecosystem to deliver on their priorities in a prosperous Europe. Since then, the Commission submitted its draft budget. Unfortunately, it does not come as a great surprise to the European Parliament that the Council cuts the Commission's proposal. The Council proposed to make unjustified cuts across a series of programmes – I would like to say flagship programmes – without proper justification. We oppose all these cuts. If it is expected from the European Union to enhance its action, it is not acceptable to cut the funding of the Union where it is needed. Overall, we support the draft budget of the European Commission and, at Parliament, we have looked in a very responsible way at areas where funding has proven insufficient and more is needed. We are deeply aware of the critical situation of the Union budget, which is a victim of its success and provides for too limited availabilities compared to all the challenges ahead. This is why our position is a reasonable one, which only proposes essential and targeted increases. I would like to underline a few priorities. We need to support our businesses, especially small and medium enterprises and our researchers who work for a better future in Europe. Therefore, we propose to reinforce Horizon Europe and the Connected Europe Facility – some of our most successful programmes. We need to ensure the protection of our citizens, so we also confirm Parliament's strong support to further strengthen the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Agriculture is another key pillar of our Union. Our farmers – and particularly young farmers – need continued support for the promotion of their products and to maintain profitability. This is also a widely shared priority in this House. Security is another core concern of EU citizens, along with the need to strengthen our defence capabilities. We propose to reinforce key programmes in these areas, namely on asylum, migration, border management and military mobility. As we are living in a global world, we are directly affected by what is happening outside our borders, including the continued illegal war of aggression by Russia in Ukraine. For this reason, we put forward essential increases of funds allocated to our southern and eastern neighbourhood, as well as humanitarian aid. Dear colleagues, we have a strong support from several groups. I would like to emphasise our very good cooperation with the shadow rapporteurs. We achieved this majority on the committee level. Now I expect that it will be adopted by the whole Parliament and I am looking forward to the cooperation during our negotiations also with the European Commission and with the Council.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, On 22 November 2020, three years ago, we adopted a resolution and called Russia a country organising terrorism against democratic values, against us in Europe. Not everyone shared this view. I co-authored this resolution. But in recent days – on 10 September over Poland, and later over Danish airports, over Munich, over Estonia, over the Baltic every day – we have evidence: Russia is attacking Europe in a terrorist way. And we can't be defenseless. I am pleased that this initiative by President von der Leyen and Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Security, with an anti-drone wall, is one of the elements of the necessary response. Because Russia understands only strength. Solidary and united position of all Member States, but also of NATO - this response was received by Russia on 10 September: The planes were shot down, NATO reacted, we are together. But we have to be a lot more efficient. Therefore, I also appeal for online activity. Russia is using cyber-army. We must block and eliminate those who work for Russia online. Agents are also here in this room. They say: This is not our war. They want us to be weak. The defense industry needs more than just budget support. I appeal to the Commission and to Commissioner Serafin, Andrius Kubilius, but also to Commissioner Hoekstra: Remove the ETS from steel production, chemicals – they are essential for armaments production. This is not a big economic effort, and new legislation is needed: armaments industry without ETS.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, The situation that concerns Poland is not a debate about Poland's security. I would like to thank you very much, Madam President, and the heads of the political groups, for the fact that today we can devote our attention to the security of Europe in this extraordinary way. Because the fact that Polish fighters shot down a large number of drones over our country – thank you for supporting Italian pilots, Dutch pilots, for the fact that this reaction was also a European, NATO reaction – is only proof that Putin sent a message to Europe. He will attack us and test us. And it will do so especially when Europe's response is not strong and unambiguous. That is why we thank you for your solidarity, but we expect a very unequivocal action. We too must send Putin a very clear message – much more sanctions. We will fight Russian aggression with Russian money. It's high time for that. We need to strengthen the European Community's eastern border and the SAFE programme is part of that. That is why all those who want to apply today to freeze the SAFE programme, cancel the Commission, are acting on Putin's behalf. Patriots... right? Are you laughing? You will only laugh when there is a catastrophe. Think a little bit. Patriots, those who call themselves patriots, on the same day as the attack, file a motion for the dismissal of the Commission? They're not patriots, they're idiots. They are idiots – unless Putin pays for it. Did he pay you? Let us be united. Keep it calm. Keep it calm. Keep calm and sanction on. This is the only answer Putin will understand: keep calm and sanction on.

Mr President, Minister, dear Commissioner, I hope that the number of our meetings will not only be obligatory cooperation but with good will. We will go to the final good result because this is what voters and citizens are expecting. Today representing Parliament ‑ I have to emphasise this because it is not only my opinion but an opinion agreed at parliamentary level ‑ I would like to present the position on the draft budget presented for 2026. Unfortunately, it does not come as a great surprise to the European Parliament that the Council cuts the Commission's proposal. This happens every year but the scope and the reasoning behind the cuts this year give rise to questions, and I would like to say several words on that. The most worrying for us, Members of this Parliament representing our citizens, are the Council's cuts to flagship EU programmes like Horizon Europe, Connecting Europe Facility, Digital Europe, EU4Health, Erasmus, Creative Europe, Citizens Equality, Rights and Values Programme and Frontex. Some others also are questionable. It shows that you do not listen to the expectations of the people, of the citizens, people who want to live in a safe Europe with protected borders, students having access to Erasmus scholarships, European researchers and others. Also civil society organisations fighting for the rule of law and protecting democracy. It will not surprise you, but we have to restore ‑ and this is our proposal ‑ the draft budget, to restore the Council's cuts as a first hour point of the presentation. Let me raise an additional important issue, which is repayment of the NextGenerationEU debt, in respect of which there was a proposal to cut by EUR 303 million. You describe this as prudent budgeting, as was mentioned, but I don't like to open the discussion of what prudent means and this is also debatable because the real figures we will have in October, so we will have to look at that issue again when we have the real figures. Parliament takes a responsible stance when it comes to servicing our debts and paying the interest in time to investors. These are costs we must pay. We all want them to be lower, but we can simply hope that they are budgeted for. We will be waiting for the Commission updated figures in its amending letter. Finally, let me say something that we welcome in the Council position, namely the reinforcement of humanitarian aid, important military mobility and border management. I look forward to defending Parliament's priorities and to having constructive negotiations over the coming weeks. We as the European Parliament are looking forward to an efficient and impactful budget of the European Union for the next year. We have to be together, we have to deliver as the EU's institutions for the people of Europe because we have to also ensure that Europe is united, successful and strong. And this is our goal for the year 2026.

Madam President, I would like to emphasise and say again: we have to be united and strong. If we split, Putin will be successful. This is the only message I would like to say today after the violation of airspace of our European country. We have to be united. We are various, we are different, but in this common general goal we have to be together. Otherwise, we can dissolve our common Union.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, This night and this morning is a situation that has never happened before – without precedent. For the first time, we had to defend the territory of a NATO member state, a member state of the European Union. Shot down drones are a passed exam from our quick, unambiguous, solidarity-based response. Thank you to the Italian pilots, thank you to the Dutch pilots, thank you for the very firm, quick reaction of the Commission. But at this point, we need to think – because this is not a coincidence, this is not one stray drone – where is the real evil and danger? Who is he? Putin is testing our unity. It is Putin who is testing our readiness to defend our security. And the citizens of all European countries expect us to be effective. And I appeal from here - because it is high time not - to look for the enemy where he is not. It is Putin who is killing children and women, bombing hospitals and schools. Ukraine needs our help and must receive it, because it also defends our security. Will you continue to say – I turn to the right – that this is not our war? It also concerns the safety of your citizens. And don't call yourselves patriots if you don't understand that. And I also appeal to the left: Safety is a priority today. If we want to be effective also for other important purposes, we must have money, a strong economy, a competitive economy, and together we must be uniformly ready to be in solidarity. A united Europe will win, no one will beat it.

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, dear colleagues, we've heard a very strong message today. President Maia Sandu said clearly to us that this is about the security of Moldova, but also the security of Europe. And this is true. The Republic of Moldova currently is a security provider for Europe. This is the reason the disinformation campaign is so huge, and this is the reason Russian activity is so visible. Why? Because the Kremlin and Putin want to change the government, want the government to collapse. Why? Because they would like to change the pro-European way into a pro-Russian way. Is it expected by the Moldovans? Of course it is not. Moldovans would like to live in peace. They would like to live with a better standard of life. They would like to be with us, together with a safe Europe, integrated with also our market. So, I would like to say to all Moldovans, you can count on us. The report is also on security; it is not only on the technical process of enlargement. And I would like to say: Moldova will resist. The Russian plan will fail. Trăiască Moldova! Long live Moldova!

A colleague who just wanted a debate about money spent in Poland, in Polish local governments, to Polish companies, for Polish citizens. And I want to say one thing: Who should debate? The husband of Prime Minister Szydło, who evaluates this money and projects? Did Minister Buda, who was not able to submit an application for this money to go to Poland at all, because he did not have the consent of President Kaczyński? No single euro was spent. However, you have a full transparent map of competitions. You can judge them. I wanted to say that the Polish prosecutor's office cooperates today with the European prosecutor's office, and not as scandals were hidden in your time and billions were actually stolen. It has never been as transparent in Poland as it is today. And you are ashamed, do not denounce Poland and do not introduce sabotage, because this money is very much needed by Polish society.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Madam Minister, I'm sorry. Pressure makes sense. Indeed, on 21 June we experienced a very important moment when Siarhei Tsikhanouski joined his family, his brave wife, President Tsikhanouski, his children. Along with thirteen other political prisoners, he left the camp. They didn't break it. But there are still thousands of political prisoners in the camps and in Belarusian prisons. The dictator fights his people, especially those who have the courage to speak out. It suppresses freedom of speech. Among those who are in prison, there is a journalist, a Pole, Andrzej Poczobut. We are advocating for the release of all of them, and we will speak out and fight loudly for their freedom. Recently, he also attacked religious communities, demolished the Protestant church ‘New Life’, took the Red Church in Minsk from the Catholic community. Catholic priest Henryk Okhotowicz sentenced to 12 years in prison on the pretext of spying for the Vatican. Is there anything more absurd? Lukashenko is afraid, but he is responsible for the crimes and will stand before the International Criminal Court. And to you Belarusians, I want to say only one thing: We see you, we are with you. Have faith and hope. Because pressure makes sense, because faith is important to your identity, and hope is a free and independent Belarus. She will be. She will be. It's a live Belarus.

Mr President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, thank you for all the information. This report is the European Parliament's reaction to the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Moldova. I would also like to congratulate the Moldovan authorities because the determination and consequences of the pro-European parts of the implementation of all the reforms is really visible, and we have noticed it. We had the mission to Chișinău in February, and I would also like to thank Sven Mikser for the very good cooperation. During this mission, we announced the most important package for Moldova: the Reform and Growth Facility, which is EUR 1.9 billion to support Moldovan society. From this place, I would like to ask for implementation of the 18 % pre-financing rate as soon as possible, because it's really crucial just now for Moldovan society and for the government. The reform has to be supported also by us, by European society. I would like to emphasise the political decision after our common mission, because the European Parliament took the decision in March to establish a parliamentary office in Chișinău. This is very important for having close ties with the Moldovan authorities. The report is coherent; it is very good. In the name of the EPP, I would like to emphasise that we, of course, support the whole report, but we are against the amendments coming from the radical right and the radical left. They are not needed. We have 15 amendments in all. But there is one I would like to recommend to support. This is the amendment from the ECR on 'roam like at home'. It is really expected by Moldovan society, so I recommend to support it. All the other political groups – like us and Renew and the Greens – didn't table any amendments. So thank you again for the very good cooperation.

Mr President, thank you very much. Indeed, thank you, Mr President, because I wanted to say something that rarely happens in this House. I wanted to fully share the opinion of Mariusz Kamiński from Law and Justice, who said very clearly: Russian gas is also the blood of innocent children, women and civilians. Trade with the Russians has no ethical value, because it is a trade with a war criminal. His place is before the Criminal Court. And I wanted to say very clearly from this place, addressing these words also to Prime Minister Szydło, no Polish patriot and representative of Polish society in this Parliament can have any doubt that the place of Nord Stream, this pipe is on the bottom of the Baltic Sea as a monument to stupidity. And you should have no doubt, even if this project is a tandem by Donald Tusk– Radosław Sikorski. Because this is a project from 2014, now implemented, so too late by 10 years. But no one can doubt that it is important for our common security in Europe. And I ask one thing: don't hold back, don't be against it. Be for it, because that is what the interests of our country and of the whole of Europe demand.

Mr President, colleagues, thank you very much. All colleagues really engaged in the process. I would like to emphasise that, first of all, to have the strong position of the Parliament, we have to have the text. And of course, I'm also listening to your remarks. All the opinions are very important. I would like to protect this balanced text because this is the effect of the teamwork based on – I can say generally – five political groups together. So, it is good to have the majority on Wednesday. And, of course, we still have 93 amendments. So, from different point of views, we can improve the text. But in this moment, I would like to ask you, and also say very openly, even one better amendment adopted from one side can spoil the whole process we achieved during the negotiations. And we have to be very careful because we are living in very tough times. And the question concerning security: yes, of course this is the priority number one. But to achieve the result, we have to have our common strong position. And without these guidelines, our position will be weaker. So having in mind that the negotiations are just starting, I would like to ask you for responsibility and understanding. Thank you very much once again for the teamwork and the tough work which was done, also with your assistance together during last months. Thank you and see you on Wednesday.

Mr President, dear Mr Commissioner, it is nice to see two Polish names at the top of this very important debate. As rapporteur on guidelines for the 2026 budget, I would like to start this procedure. This is the very initial step. The first meeting of the trilogue is planned on 8 April and then in the beginning of June, we can see the draft budget presented by the Commission, but first we have to adopt the text which was prepared for you. Dear colleagues, after negotiations – and I would like to emphasise tough negotiations – between our political groups, I consider that we achieved a good and balanced text that respects the values and ideas of all political groups. I consider that we managed to find a sustainable compromise text to underline our priorities such as defence, security, energy, competitiveness, agriculture, resilience, economy, effective response to crisis, health, enhancing democracy and also building a stronger Union in a changing world. During the vote on Wednesday, we should endorse those guidelines and deliver a strong Parliament position. Those guidelines are also about our credibility as an institution. Let's show to the Commission and to the Council that the European Parliament is a serious player, ready to defend the citizens' priorities, to give them response to their expectations. Let's prove that we are able to overcome our political differences, that we are united in our diversity for the common good. As the last comment from my side before the vote, I would like to recall you that we are gathered in this House to defend the common good of all Europeans. We need to keep in mind that the adoption of guidelines is a very important step in the budgetary procedure and we should not let single issues and special interests hijack the whole process. Please allow me to thank shadow rapporteurs of other political groups for their collaboration during the negotiations. It was very important that it was really teamwork and we had a good will to achieve this balanced text in the end. I would like to also thank all the Committee on Budgets' staff, and also our assistants from all the groups, because this work was really brilliant. Thank you very much, waiting for the voting on Wednesday, I hope we will not do the mistakes like the last years.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Dear Commissioner, Yes, we must be strong, we must be together and we must act quickly, because the same President, Ursula von der Leyen, chairs the European Commission today, but this is a completely new Commission, in completely new circumstances, with completely new challenges that we are facing. "Security, Europe" is not only the motto of the Polish Presidency. These are concrete actions today. And here I would like to say a few very positive things, because we have just adopted a strategy that includes, for example, the East Shield. This project, which is not a national project, is not a project of the Polish government, but a project that serves the protection of borders from Finland to Romania. It serves the security of Europe. Finally, borders can be supported by European means. Border infrastructure. Finally, I'm sorry. How many years have we lost to finally claiming it? And yet this is security from the east to the west, from the south to the northern ends of our continent. Migration policy must be reviewed and it is good that it is supplemented today with a proposal for a return directive, a new asylum policy or funding. But there must be much more of these revisions, because if we are talking about competitiveness, then why, in the face of these threats that we have today, the European economy should bear costs that, after all, should be eliminated, or at least some mechanisms should be frozen. I am thinking mainly about the ETS mechanism. Shouldn't there be not only a frozen, erased ETS2 password at all? What's the point? Why is he hanging over us, today, 2027? Today's challenges require immediate responses and responses. I am pleased that Commissioner Tzitzikostas is talking about verifying the date 2035. Our voters are car users. As users, they will vote yes or no when it comes to the Commission's actions. Finally, the bureaucracy and simplification, It makes life easier for all citizens. Europe must be for citizens. Europe must be there for them if it is to be accepted by them.

Madam President, I'm sorry. These are very important days and a very important moment. This is also the moment that citizens are waiting for to stop talking, to be stuck in constant political disputes. We have to act. Security today requires swift action, because that is what citizens are waiting for. Patriotism is no longer about talking. Today, the patriot is the one who quickly launches funds, projects that serve to build security. No one has the right to call himself a patriot who slows down, blocks or votes against this process. And this is also not the moment when we can conduct procedural disputes. From here, I call on Parliament to take a very swift decision and mobilise funds with a strong mandate for the European Commission and a strong mandate for governments and our leaders. Yes, today we need to launch these projects as soon as possible and the pace of decision-making is crucial. Citizens are waiting not only for billions to be mobilised for the arms industry, but also for border infrastructure to be strengthened. We've lost years to donate money in this direction. Today, the first euro has flown, but it is a drop in the sea of needs. We need the East Shield project. This is not a project of the Polish government. This is a project to strengthen the security of the whole of Europe, from Finland to Romania. He must have European support. Funds are needed for so-called dual-use projects, because schools, hospitals, parking lots can also be crucial for security, and these projects must be supported by European funds, European funds. Citizens are waiting for our common sense and quick decisions. Once again, I appeal: less disputes, less talk, less bureaucracy, less debates and resolutions. Faster joint decisions so that the billions proposed by the European Commission can be mobilised for the security of our citizens.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I would like to thank you. Mr. Minister, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the European People's Party, I want to repeat the slogan of the Polish Presidency "Security, Europe!" and we will repeat it again and again. I hope that it will also become the motto of the whole House, not only for these six months, but for the years to come. We have to meet this challenge and this is our responsibility – “Security, Europe!” Security also for border regions, because they are exposed to an escalation of fear, physical, but also economic losses. Residents of border regions today have great problems with maintaining their businesses, tourism. They're just having trouble with family budgets. We are obliged to give them this help. Marta Wcisło is here in the room – this project is also becoming the flagship project of the European People’s Party. We will demand not only emergency aid, but also a permanent mechanism of the fund to help border regions. Border infrastructure is also a matter of physical security. Fortunately, after the mission that took place in November last year, the first funds were launched, but it is still a drop in the sea of needs. Border infrastructure must be supported by the European budget, because it is the security of the whole of Europe, not just one country or a single region. The ‘Shield East’ project presented by Prime Minister Tusk is a project that is not a Polish project. From Finland to the Baltic States and Poland to Romania, we have the issue of effectively securing the eastern border, because Russia is this threat to the whole of Europe. Finally, I would like to say one more thing. Regions are at the heart of our social and economic life. It is important to maintain cohesion policy, because it is the regions – and the Polish regions, which are a great example of this – that are the most transparent and effective absorption of European funds. That's almost 80% of those funds. This is an appeal to the Commissioner – this policy should be addressed even more consistently to the regions.

Madam President, thank you very much. Such an important moment, such an important debate, and here are so many screams, lies, attacks and insults. But you have to understand them. They fear responsibility, because whoever steals will be punished. They also feel strong because they have the support of a millionaire. They think it'll do something. No, we are patriots, and they are close to national treason. Because we want a strong Europe, the kind of Europe that European citizens expect. And they want the broken and the weak. That's why we're gonna win and we're gonna win. We just have to be together. There's really no time for empty talk. You want to change the deregulation to simplification? Here we are, but let us act and let us do it now, because Europe must be safe in many dimensions. Border protection is a priority. Physical security as well. Health, food, economic and economic security – that is our responsibility. And there's no more time. We must act, because Europe must feel our effective action. We work for people. We're together. Europe will win and be safe, because we will be together.

Madam President, thank you very much. Thank you very much for this topic. The Juknevičienė race, which heads the memory group, does a lot to remember, because this is also our duty as politicians, as people who are responsible for building peace based on nurturing identity. Putin uses history as a military force. Sergey Lagodinsky spoke about it, recalling a very important date. When did the war and the invasion of Ukraine begin? In 2022? No, I don't. After the annexation of Crimea in 2014? No, I don't. In 2010! With the adoption of the strategy, which he implemented with his subordinate. When Viktor Yanukovych became president of Ukraine, do you remember several hours of conferences about history, about the episode in the form of the Ukrainian state, about a nation that has no culture and identity? After all, this was the first fragment of this war and assault, and how many politicians wanted to do business with Putin? Partnership for developmentReminds me of such a project. He arose just then. How important is our response and how important is our action and response to what may happen next year. A few days ago, on December 6, Putin signed an agreement with Lukashenka on military cooperation, military subordination and cooperation of services. And what else? About a common historical narrative for next year, because the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Soviet Russia provoked together with the Third Reich, is approaching. We must be resilient, remember and not let these lies manipulate us. Putin's place is in court, not in political salons.

Madam President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, Security, safety, security – I could say that a few more times, because the citizens of Europe are waiting to strengthen their sense of security, and that is our common task. Military security – we have a war on our continent, at our gates. Energy security, economic security, security in social policy, food security, health security, and finally a rapid response to disasters that are increasingly affecting our regions. Security is not left-wing or right-wing. Security is our common ground, and whoever acts against strengthening security, acts against citizens, your citizens, who are waiting to strengthen their sense of security. At this point, I would like to appeal to Parliament, to all the political groups: it is time to conclude the debate and the discussion on how and how to set up new committees that should support the work of the European Commission. A permanent, large Commission on security matters should act immediately, no later than the beginning of next year. The permanent, large Commission, which will strengthen the legislative process in the field of health, should act immediately. This has been a demand of the Polish delegation of the European People's Party for years. Yes, we should set up both committees as soon as possible, because security cannot wait. This is also what our citizens are waiting for.