Speeches

Madam President, I'm sorry. I am fully aware that asbestos is still a leading cause of cancer and occupational deaths, and its health effects are evident even years after exposure. I am in favour of improving the standards for the protection of workers from asbestos by improving the notification system, eliminating loopholes and introducing new tools to combat the risks of asbestos. Strengthening the provisions of the Directive will help to better identify asbestos in existing structures and thus prevent serious health problems for European workers. Lowering the occupational exposure limit is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against asbestos. Although implementing it will be a big challenge, you have to decide on this solution, because the health and life of employees is invaluable. Eliminating risk factors, prevention and prevention are more effective than treating severe, potentially fatal asbestos-related diseases. And we should all care about this prevention.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Nearly a third of Europeans say they are currently in a precarious financial and material situation. This is according to the European Barometer on Poverty and Economic Uncertainty carried out this year. Concerns about the future are enormous. 48% of our citizens, almost half of them, see the risk that they will find themselves in a precarious financial situation in the next few months. This data is not good, which is why I call on the Commission to take increased action to support, among others, Member States and organisations providing assistance and food for the most deprived. It is important that these steps are taken at both European and national level. In Poland, in recent years, my group has pursued a huge and effective support policy, introducing, for example, a zero VAT rate for basic food products, a carbon supplement, a reduction in the income tax rate to 12% and an increase in the tax-free amount. You can learn that from us. Citizens who are worried about tomorrow and are forced to deny themselves meals will not be interested in what we are debating. Dignified living conditions are the first and main goal that we must set ourselves and pursue.

Mr President, thank you very much. In April this year, Poland unilaterally imposed an embargo on grain from Ukraine to protect our farmers. Then the EU decided to introduce a restriction on the import of grain to Poland. Now we have built a coalition of front-line countries, which is jointly fighting for the extension of the ban after September 15. Today we see that a new friend of Donald Tusk came to Strasbourg, Michał Kołodziejczak, a member of the Civic Coalition, who until recently called for the withdrawal from the European Union, and today is trying to be the main initiator of the uprising and prolongation of the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain. It was the Polish government that from the very beginning declared that no matter what the decision of Brussels officials would be, we would not open the border to imports. When our neighbor gets hurt, we open our hearts and homes. But when we have to fight for the interests of Polish farmers, we will not give up even one step. The Union granted Ukraine a unilaterally and temporarily limited privilege rather than a legally binding permanent access to the agricultural market. The EU regulation on this matter provides for the withdrawal of this privilege in the event of market disturbances. Such a perturbation occurs and we expect an extension of the embargo after September 15.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Working in the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, I see the need for a robust mechanism for information exchange and coordination between countries in the Single Market in crisis situations. But in the case of this regulation, I get the impression that you are trying to achieve the right goals by the wrong means. As an example, I can mention priority rated orders, which allow the Commission to order the acceptance and prioritisation of certain orders for the production of goods by economic operators without the authorities of the Member States. A reform of the European Union is currently being debated and this draft regulation is being prepared in the spirit of shifting important competences towards the European Commission, giving it even more power. As an ECR group, we strongly oppose this, especially when the rules themselves are challenged as to their proportionality and the correct legal basis. Member States are well placed and should play a key role in crisis management at European level. Ensuring better coordination in times of crisis does not require intervention in sensitive areas of state governance. I therefore strongly oppose this text.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Instead of focusing on external threats that put EU countries and officials at risk, the PEGA Committee prefers to attack those that the EU considers to be insufficiently law-abiding, making them beating boys. It is worth emphasizing that the Pegasus software is used by most countries of the European Union, although for the public there is a picture that only Hungary and Poland do it and use it illegally, using it to limit civil liberties and fight the opposition, which is obvious nonsense. In Poland, contrary to the narrative of the authors of the report, there are strong safeguards and, unlike some other countries, there is a judicial control of any wiretaps assumed by the services. There is no question of abuse. States must have modern systems, because in an age of hybrid threats and advanced technologies used by terrorists, not using such devices would be naive and would make us vulnerable. However, perhaps the Union does not care about the security of the Member States, but about expanding its own competences. And we don't agree to that.

Madam President, I'm sorry. We are witnessing a real revolution. The 21st century is undoubtedly the age of data. Artificial intelligence is already part of our daily lives, but it has much more possibilities than what we have seen so far. In addition to the benefits, technology also carries risks that we should minimise by putting in place an effective legislative framework that guarantees the safety and protection of citizens' fundamental rights, while at the same time not hindering its development. Otherwise, we will be left behind in the global innovation race. Artificial intelligence is also a chance for a developmental leap for Polish companies and the Polish economy, because it is much easier to build your position in a new, newly emerging industry. That is why I believe that we will become a state of creators and creators of new solutions in the field of artificial intelligence. If the European Union is to become a leader in what we are talking about, artificial intelligence, it must build on its strengths and support the development of safe and modern artificial intelligence developed here in Europe.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The European Union needs large transport investments. Every effort should therefore be made to bridge the gap between the infrastructures of the old and new Member States. Only in this way will we avoid the concept of building a two-speed Europe, which I categorically oppose. Our common goal should be harmonious development and a well-functioning single market. This cannot be achieved without an effective communication network and I think that it does not take a lot of arguments to convince you to do so. We must also look carefully at the hands of organisations that, for trivial reasons and under the guise of ecological slogans, block strategic infrastructure investments. As an example of such investments hindered by pseudo-ecologists, and much needed, I can give a dig of the Vistula Spit in my country, Poland. The construction of the canal allowed Poland to become independent from Russia in terms of access to the waters of the Vistula Lagoon. The war made us realize how much good transport infrastructure connecting the West with the East is needed, as well as the need to include candidate countries such as Ukraine. Let us ensure that transport infrastructure truly connects Europe as quickly, as best and as safely as possible.

Mr President, thank you very much. Unfortunately, Parliament has forced the Council to include in the e-evidence package a reference to the Article 7 procedure of the Treaty on European Union. It is a political instrument, because it cannot be called only a legal instrument. It introduces double standards for some Member States and this can be clearly seen in the example of countries such as Poland or Hungary. The right to refuse to cooperate with a Member State subject to Article 7 proceedings introduces a policy into the legal framework. That, in my opinion, is unacceptable. The e-evidence package aims to facilitate cross-border criminal investigations. Meanwhile, the regulation of cooperation in the taking of evidence has been linked to the political procedure. This leaves the Member State fully discretionary, which is dangerous in this case. Under no circumstances may the legislation created be used by some Member States as a tool of manipulation. In the form in which it is proposed, it can undoubtedly lead to this, to which not only I, but also my formation absolutely does not agree.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The European Union remains vulnerable to foreign interference and disinformation. Putin knew who would be the strongest supporter of Ukraine during the war. That is why in recent years he has tried to discredit us, my country, Poland on the international arena, undermining the actions taken by the democratically elected Polish government. Unfortunately, many of you have repeated these unverified phrases. Meanwhile, as mentioned in today's report, it was the political elites in Germany who implemented Gazprom's program and expressed their constant support for gas supplies from Russia, making their country completely dependent on them, which gave Putin the opportunity to shape European policy by turning off the gas tap. Let us also not forget the corruption scandal unveiled here in the European Parliament, which has clearly shown the lack of resilience of the EU institutions against abuse and interference from third countries. I invite all of you to reflect more deeply on the functioning of the European institutions. Only by strengthening integrity, transparency and accountability can the image of the Union, which has been tarnished by this scandal, be restored in the eyes of all citizens.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. This law is not lex Tusk, it is lex anti Putin. The establishment of the commission is part of the actions that we want to cleanse public life of the influence of the Russian agency. It meets all democratic criteria. It will operate on the basis of legal provisions, as any public administration body, regardless of the end of the term of office. Let me remind you, what you may not know, Commissioner, that in October 2022, the man you know, Donald Tusk, said that a commission should be set up to examine all the influence of the Russian agency on energy security in Poland. What has happened that today he and his environment have changed their minds? I do not know whether you know this, whether you have been consciously or unknowingly involved in today's debate? But I ask the question, what happened that in a few months Donald Tusk and his environment changed their mind? You turned around, which means you had no idea. One more thing I want to tell you. You may also not know that polls give a victory to Law and Justice. So it is not true what Mr Halicki said here that we will lose this election. We're gonna win. Without your help, we'll win.

Mr President, thank you very much. We may not like what Orbán is doing, especially for Russia or with Russia. However, I observe with concern the call for Hungary to be stripped of its presidency of the Council of the Union. Check out the basic EU regulations on the basis of which we operate. The European Parliament has no competence in this matter. Interference by political groups in a matter falling outside their remit, i.e. the scope of these competences, threatens legal certainty. The rule of law is based on functioning in accordance with procedures. The European Commission must comply with the procedural rules set out in the Regulation. It must not succumb to political pressure from certain circles that seek to influence an institution that should, by definition, be independent. I warn against this very dangerous precedent. According to Article 8 of the Regulation of the European Union, which we are talking about here – on general conditionality for the protection of the Union budget – the European Commission is only obliged to inform the European Parliament of any proposed, adopted or abolished measures. Other decisions actually cause Euroscepticism among Member States.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The situation we have witnessed recently with regard to Ukrainian grain has exposed the truth about how much the Commission's project of so-called Solidarity Lanes is underdeveloped and needs to be immediately rectified. In addition, the debate shows that many EU countries, especially those far from the Ukrainian front line, do not understand Eastern Europe. Due to the lack of mechanisms to secure the transport of grain, it remained in warehouses, destabilising the markets. Polish farmers, burdened with a number of constantly growing EU requirements, have no chance to compete on the procurement markets with Ukrainian agricultural products that are not subject to and do not meet strict European standards. Supporting Ukraine is our moral duty and we, as Poland, want to continue to help our neighbour by serving as an example for the rest of Europe. But this must not come at the expense of European farmers and lead to the ruin of the grain or poultry sector in our country and in neighbouring countries. I am glad that the Commission has finally woken up. I am afraid, however, that this would not have happened had it not been for the joint and solidarity action of the prime ministers of Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. Without their initiative, the common agricultural market would probably still be in chaos.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Certainly, many of you have made decisions about buying a specific product based on the labeling of the product as ecological or environmentally friendly. More and more citizens are doing this. Unfortunately, this is often just greenwashing, which has nothing to do with the real assessment of the environment. The report aims to put an end to such misleading practices by consumers. Thank you, rapporteur, for working together on this project. I believe that we have managed to come up with a balanced text that is beneficial for consumers, but at the same time does not impose a disproportionate burden on entrepreneurs. My priority is to treat consumers equally and fairly, as reflected in the amendments I have tabled, which have been included in the compromises. And thank you for that, too. This will ensure that citizens receive identical conditions and the duration of the commercial guarantee for the same product in all Member States. I strongly reject the voting changes made by the Greens and the Left, which prohibit the promotion of products made from fossil fuels. They are imprecise and de facto prohibit the advertising of everyday products, but also those needed for the energy transition, such as solar panels. Such solutions are certainly not aimed at protecting the environment, but are only a sign of green populism. There is no agreement on these changes and my group will not support them.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The modern labour market offers enormous opportunities for citizens, but also poses specific challenges. Lifelong learning and continuous upskilling is now completely natural and a driving force for a European economy that requires highly specialised workers. I am proud to say this as a representative of Poland, a country that is one of the three most competitive markets for the IT industry in Central and Eastern Europe. We are also the second most attractive market in the world for outsourcing IT services. However, we must realise that there is a serious innovation gap compared to the global market. I therefore call on the European Commission to step up its efforts to ensure that workers' skills match labour market needs, so as to enable people to work and make European businesses more competitive, which we should all care about. And let's not forget the elderly. Steps need to be taken by the Union to protect older people from digital exclusion. Only in this way will we build a true society of equal opportunities.

Mr President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, 439 days have passed since Russia's aggression against Ukraine. We must realize that now is the last moment to act, because quite a lot of time has already been wasted. The ability of the EU defence industry to supply ammunition and missiles is crucial for our security, for Europe as a whole and for our ability to help Ukraine. The EU should take the example of Poland, which since 2015 has been consistently expanding its military units and increasing production capacity also in the field of ammunition. After the outbreak of the war, we immediately took action in the form of a law on the defense of the homeland and huge contracts for the purchase of weapons. Thanks to this, we were able to provide more support to Ukraine than anyone could have expected from us. Maybe we wouldn't have to take such swift steps if the rest of Europe had listened to what my political community has been saying for a long time. Putin is not to be trusted. He makes promises when he is forced to. He breaks them as soon as he has the strength to do so. Let us stand in solidarity with Ukraine for our security.

Mr President, thank you very much. The Energy Methane Regulation imposed disproportionately high and costly emission reduction obligations on the gas and coal sectors in the European Union. At the same time, it should be stressed that the European Commission has not proposed sufficiently ambitious provisions for importers of fossil fuels, coal and gas to Europe. Consequently, the Commission's proposal would mean the end of the extraction of European raw materials, especially coal, while importing coal from third countries, which not only do absolutely nothing to reduce methane emissions, but also extract raw materials without respecting environmental or labour rights. And that's outrageous. I therefore welcome Parliament's report, which strengthens obligations for importers of coal and gas from third countries. In my view, this will to some extent level the playing field between EU producers and those from third countries.

So many good words have already been said here in terms of this regulation, especially in the context of Poland. I have a question for you and yours as well: Do you think there are technologies that reduce methane emissions? Can they be used in our European conditions, especially in coal mines in Silesia? Because if this regulation is to be effective, then there must be instruments to make it effective.

Mr President, thank you very much. Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new phenomenon on the financial market, which is not yet sufficiently regulated in EU legislation. It is time to create a framework for the issuance and provision of services related to crypto-assets that fosters innovation and fair competition, but above all ensures a high level of consumer protection. Until now, it was a grey area, a financial jungle lured by the promise of quick profit, which, however, in many cases turned out to be a mirage and evaporated as rapidly as it appeared. Without strict information requirements, this market will remain only a promised land for various smarts who exploit the naivety and low awareness of consumers. I hope that the regulation will open a new chapter and give an opportunity to include crypto-assets in the European financial market for the benefit of all citizens of the European Union.

Mr President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, Children are not spoils of war. Meanwhile, what is the reality? More than 16,000 Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied areas have been deported. Just over 300 returned home. "The devastating impact of Putin's war on Ukrainian children will be felt for generations," the US State Department said in a statement. We are witnessing the Russification of the Ukrainian people. Article 8 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child was violated, which refers, inter alia, to the child's right to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, surname, lawful family relationships, excluding unlawful interference. The Polish state has repeatedly called for the International Criminal Court to deal with war crimes in Ukraine. Therefore, we can comment on his decision to order the arrest of President Putin in one word: at last! Children are deported, taken away from their parents. The situation is dramatic. We must support the people of Ukraine. I hope that decisions will be followed by concrete actions as soon as possible, because without actions, ladies and gentlemen, decisions are ineffective and empty.

Mr President, thank you very much. The extension of the European Emissions Trading System to new sectors, which is planned for 2027, will have negative social consequences due to the increase in fuel prices and fees related to the heating of homes with fossil fuels. It is clear that such provisions will hit countries such as my country, Poland, where a very large part of the population still heats their homes with coal or gas and where the number of electric cars in use remains small. By 2027, not everyone will be able to replace their heating with a heat pump or photovoltaics, because not everyone will be able to afford it. This will result in further costs for our citizens, who are already struggling with the energy crisis, high commodity prices and inflation. Listening to this debate, I have the impression that not everyone is aware of it, and it is me, unfortunately, and my compatriots who are worried.

Mr President, I would like to thank you very much. Everyone will probably agree with the statement that we must save forests on our planet and intensify efforts to preserve biodiversity. However, we cannot take too hasty action that is not backed up by a well-prepared impact analysis, especially the financial impact. I am referring here to the extension of the scope of the Regulation to rubber and rubber products, which will increase the administrative costs for the competent state authorities. We cannot fully predict how the regulation will affect the volume of trade in individual products, including, for example, the supply and export of EU timber. I therefore call on the Commission to make it a priority for the Union to maintain its position as a world leader in food and timber exports. This is due to the state of our agri-food and forestry sector. I would also like to stress that when introducing new rules, we must pay special attention to small and medium-sized enterprises. They will face challenges in the form of new administrative burdens. Therefore, we should closely monitor the markets in the first years of the new law. I believe that the negotiated agreement, although far from ideal, nevertheless deserves our support in the vote.

Mr President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you very much, rapporteur, for working together on this regulation and negotiating with the Council. Consumer protection and safety is one of the essential functions that the Member States and the European institutions should perform. I am pleased that the new rules improving the flow of information will allow market surveillance authorities to react more quickly in the event of an accident caused by a given product. I appreciate the fact that the final text uses a risk-based approach that focuses efforts where it is most important for consumer safety and at the same time does not lead to a halt to online trade. We have reached a good agreement for consumers whose products have proven to have problems after purchase. If a product is withdrawn from the market, they will be given the relevant information and will be able to choose between receiving a new repaired product and being reimbursed. I am convinced that the implementation of the new regulation will significantly increase the level of consumer protection and safety in the single market and facilitate trade between Member States.

Mr President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to speak in this debate as a representative of Poland, a country in which the traditions of beekeeping have been exceptionally strong for centuries, and this sector is well organized and surrounded by state support. However, I have the impression that the draft citizens' initiative lacks balance and objectivity. It focuses on the goal of eliminating pesticides completely by 2035 and restoring biodiversity, and treats the issue of support for farmers completely and vaguely, mainly in the context of the development of organic production. Instead of introducing unrealistic reduction targets for plant protection products, we should focus on measures to support the beekeeping sector, especially on increasing the availability of medicines to fight bee diseases. I am counting on the common sense of the European Commission in its approach to this citizens' initiative and also taking into account the specific geopolitical situation of the Union. Globally, the Union’s food security needs a strong beekeeping sector and, at the same time, a strong and resilient agriculture. The belief that the current high efficiency of European agriculture can only be maintained on the basis of organic production is, in my opinion, naive, and this naivety can cost us dearly.

You're absolutely wrong. In Poland, it is possible to terminate a pregnancy due to the loss of a woman's health and life. You are repeating the nonsense that the opposition here is constantly serving you on the occasion of every debate such as this one and such as this one concerning the rule of law. There are two cases in the Polish legislation that give the possibility of termination of pregnancy. It is not the case, as you say here, that the ban on abortion is in force in Poland. It's a lie.