Speeches

The common agricultural policy is one of the key EU policies. It is of direct concern to all Member States. It performs tasks with a social and economic dimension, but also purely political. This is demonstrated by the wide range of objectives of the CAP. Increasing the productivity of European agriculture, supporting technical progress in the countryside or developing production and stabilising agricultural markets are just some of them. The CAP also plays an important role in ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community by supporting farmers' incomes. It is also an important element of the Union’s internal market as, in addition to stabilising national markets, it is designed to ensure reasonable prices for agricultural products for all consumers. The CAP has been reformed several times over the decades. Now, with the entry of the new EU multiannual budget, it is time for its next revision. Indeed, the Union and the Member States are facing new challenges related to environmental and climate conditions. I believe that, among the numerous changes to the CAP planned after 2023, changes are needed to the definition of agricultural activity, so that subsidies go to people genuinely engaged in agricultural production, and not to holders of funds focused only on collecting EU subsidies. Increased support for small farmers and young farmers, as well as greater transparency and compliance of the reform with labour legislation. With this in mind, the European Parliament should unequivocally support the adoption of a package of regulations reforming the common agricultural policy.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! Twenty years ago, in Phoenix Park, Dublin, I watched my country's white and red colours bloom on the masts next to the 15 flags of the member countries and the golden stars of the European Union. I felt that this was one of those unique historical moments when pathos and deep emotion are not only justified, but necessary. Finally, Europe reconciled its own history with its own geography. And before our eyes, a new European community was born. What happened then was not just another enlargement, but a reunification of Europe. I am honoured and proud to be Prime Minister of the Polish Government at this very moment. Poland's path to the EU was difficult and long. On this path, we met many allies with different political orientations, including many left-wing politicians who dominated the governments of the EU-15 at that time. It was largely thanks to them that we entered the Union on a ‘free with free and equal with equals’ basis. It is clear that the current EU is not the same as Poland joined. Poland is not the same country. A powerful modernization impulse took us to another level of civilizational development. Brexit, COVID, Russia's aggression against Ukraine are changing the future of Europe. I believe that the Parliament elected in June, as well as the other institutions, will cope with the known and yet unknown difficulties, including the harmful division into Member States, EU institutions and citizens – a division that has become one of the important reasons blocking progress towards further integration. Dear friends, This is my last speech in our Parliament. I am not running for the next term, but I would like to thank everyone for the cooperation I have had with them. I would particularly like to thank my Socialists and Democrats political group and our President, Iratxe García Pérez.

First of all, I am happy to meet you here, and I hope that one day in the future you will occupy one of the seats in this Chamber as a Member of Parliament. It was a big day. But when asked what were the moods of Poles and what they expected, the best results came from the referendum that we organized about a month before May 1. In this referendum, 13.5 million Poles, or 77% of all participants, said ‘yes’ to Europe. Then we clearly said 'yes' to Europe and Europe said 'yes' to Poland. We expected to accelerate our growth. And that's what happened. Today, Poland’s GDP per capita is 40 percentage points higher than in 2004. We expected to adhere strictly to all the values on which the European Union is based and to take care of our security. And it has undoubtedly been strengthened by the accession to the European Union. In a word, today we can say: Poland is our homeland and Europe is our common and safe home.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. We cannot expect Israelis and Palestinians to meet in the near future for bilateral peace negotiations without strong involvement and mediation of international institutions. Hence the responsibility that lies with external actors such as our European Union. This is justified by the fact that the International Court of Justice ruled in January this year that Israel must take all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. The court ruled that there was genocide. This is a major challenge for EU diplomacy. I mean stop the bloodshed and help both sides rebuild confidence in each other and build two states in peace. I also believe that the suspension of UNRWA’s funding is unacceptable.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! As parliamentary and local elections are approaching in Belarus, the regime in Minsk has decided once again to show Europe and the world that there are no democratic standards or human rights in the country. Since the leaders of the opposition, or rather all those who in any way opposed Lukashenko, are already in prison, the regime has also decided to repress families. Most of the 200 detainees recently were mothers and wives of political prisoners. This is an unparalleled manifestation of extreme cruelty towards its own citizens, towards the Belarusian people. It is high time that the number of resolutions of the European Parliament concerning Belarus, and we have adopted many of these resolutions, began to shift to quality, and more specifically to the activities of the countries of the European Union. The mere calls, further declarations and condemnations of the regime in Minsk, as you can see, are not enough.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! Since the start of the war in the Middle East, there has been a significant increase in recorded anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim behavior in Europe, but also in the world. This phenomenon is deeply disturbing, showing that many demons from the past have not been annihilated, but only dormant. They start waking up and wandering around Europe. It is our responsibility to take action so that they do not settle here in our European home. In the European Union there can be no room for parties and politicians, racist or xenophobic views or behaviours, and unfortunately there are also in this building and in this room. We know that tragedies grow out of the seeds of hatred that we have so hard to pull out of our roots for decades. Every effort must be made to ensure that the efforts of many generations are not in vain.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! We all agree that in the face of growing threats online, such as hate speech, disinformation, information manipulation, a strong and active role of all European institutions is essential. It is their key responsibility to protect Europeans. How important this topic is, we have seen, for example, during the pandemic, when false information provided on the Internet exposed thousands of people to loss of health and life. We have also discussed the use of social media platforms in election campaigns and in the war in Ukraine many times in this forum. We need to prevent these manipulations, and this requires strong and effective regulation. It will make the internet a safe space, free from threats that may undermine democracy and the security of our citizens. The Digital Services Act is the right step in this direction. The European Parliament, as the voice of citizens, has a duty to ensure that the rights and security of Europeans come first in the digital sphere.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. For Poland, this will be a very important meeting of the European Council. For the first time in eight years, my country will be represented by a politician respected in Europe, former President of the European Council Donald Tusk, who will take office today as President of the Council of Ministers. The time of breaking the law and blocking important solutions for the Union will come to an end. Finally, we can look with optimism to a future in which Poland will be strong in a strong, united Europe. There are many important issues on the agenda of the Council meeting, including the enlargement of the Union. They welcome Ukraine’s progress in bringing the law into line with EU legislation. She said that 90% of reforms have already been implemented by Ukraine, but that Ukraine's progress could easily be undermined by a veto mechanism. This is another argument to eliminate this possibility from our legal system. The sooner, the better.

Mr President, thank you very much. The report provided to us rightly includes all positive references to the strategic autonomy of the European Union, as well as the need to invest in strategic capabilities and European defence cooperation, which is a component of NATO. In the face of threats to Europe's security and stability, a stronger EU-US partnership is even more necessary than ever, as is strengthening transatlantic ties and increasing joint influence on the world stage. Nevertheless, one cannot fail to see the growing economic protectionism on the part of the US, the economic and technological divide between Europe and the United States, which tends to increase, or the growing dependence of Europe in the field of defence. It seems to me that the Union's weaknesses in this regard can be addressed through deeper European integration, which must be pursued consistently.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused serious environmental damage, including air, water and soil pollution and loss of biodiversity. Ukraine, with international support, is exploring the legal possibilities of holding Russia accountable for the environmental crime. However, it is legally complicated. The European Parliament recognised the link between war and environmental damage, supporting the creation of an international registry for future reparations. This situation underscores the urgent need to strengthen the international legal framework protecting the environment during conflicts and to better address the consequences vis-à-vis aggressors. War can have long-lasting effects on the environment, going well beyond the duration of the conflict. Many years will pass before ecosystems recover, and some damage can be irreversible. Hence, it is understandable that the aggressor must fully participate in the financing of the repair of the damage caused.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The proposals put forward to vote on the lead candidate system underline our commitment to seeking new and strengthening democratic processes as well as promoting their transparency. Discussions revolve around the mechanism for electing the President of the Commission, a fundamental aspect that strengthens the voice of citizens. The call for a binding agreement between Parliament and the European Council on the lead candidate process is a key step towards strengthening the democratic fabric of our Union. This process, involving the heads of European political parties and their parliamentary counterparts, aims to establish a common candidate, embodying the collective will of citizens. It is clear that this will also be important to increase voter turnout and thus strengthen democratic representation. After all, our goal is a Union in which the electoral system embodies the aspirations of a united, vibrant, democratic Europe.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! The systematic erosion of checks and balances in any Member State undermines the essence of our common European values and principles. Without fulfilling the milestones proposed by the Commission, Hungary risks losing almost €30 billion. These are huge amounts that should serve the development of the country and its citizens. The example of Hungary shows what could have happened in Poland, in my homeland, if the Poles had not removed the ruling party from power on 15 October. We were also threatened with losing funds, but the new Polish government will effectively prevent this danger. I stress the new government, not the pressure from the European Commission, which, as always, has proved too weak. The rule of law will be restored through this, and with it the values that define the European Union.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, Colleagues! Undoubtedly, fur production is the pinnacle of animal cruelty. The transformation of animals into furs not only condemns them to live in torment, but also to cruel death. Animals suffer before their lives are brutally ended. We cannot ignore the brutality of this industry. Fur production also has dire consequences for the environment. Farms pollute our soil and water, releasing harmful chemicals and waste, posing a serious threat to our ecosystems. We also cannot ignore the difficult situation of people living near fur farms. It is our common duty to stop this inhumane industry. Let us stand for a future where we protect animals and protect our environment, and where Europe is fur-free. It is time for vigorous action by the Parliament and the European Commission.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! The development of the Internet, social media and modern technologies has meant that disinformation no longer threatens only the individual, but also companies, state and international structures. Disinformation has become a challenge for the European Union. A fundamental change was brought about by the adoption of the Digital Services Act, which introduced for the first time legal obligations to combat disinformation, as well as liability in the event of non-compliance by their addressees. In its future regulation, the European Parliament should pay particular attention to the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate the message. This is an extremely dangerous process for the democratic societies of Europe. After all, we citizens have the right to be guided by reliable and credible information when making decisions, including political ones.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! There is no doubt that the European Union has the potential to play a much greater role in the global world than it does today. The weak link is not only defence capabilities and strategic autonomy, but also an efficient and consistent foreign policy. The main opportunity to overcome the fragility of our community is to deepen European integration, which in important and sensitive areas can improve and strengthen the decision-making process and end the embarrassing cacophony process. Fifty years ago, Henry Kissinger ironically asked who to call if he wanted to talk to Europe. Unfortunately, not much has changed in half a century. The European Union still has the capacity, but it does not have the will to become a superpower. And the will in this matter is the most important thing. I would like to add that thanks to the results of the elections in Poland, there is a good chance that soon we will have a pro-European government in Warsaw, which will significantly strengthen the eastern borders of the European Union and the international position of Europe.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had devastating consequences, leading to numerous human rights violations, including gender-based crimes and sexual violence. As a result of this conflict, 4 million Ukrainians, mainly women and children, sought refuge in European Union countries such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary. While local communities and volunteers in these countries have responded with remarkable solidarity, there are serious concerns about refugee women’s access to sexual and reproductive health care and support related to gender-based violence. Many years of negligence and restrictive regulations in some of these countries, including unfortunately in my homeland Poland, constitute serious obstacles to access to such care. We must therefore pay attention to the existing challenges and take concrete steps to ensure full access to healthcare and support for refugees from Ukraine.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. There were many beautiful and accurate words here, but words should be accompanied by effects. On 12 September, together with two of my colleagues, Mr Cimoszewicz and Ms Belka, I addressed the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, with a few questions, considering that this matter is, as has just been said, a matter for the whole of the European Union. We asked whether the European Commission and its services had information on the visa scandal, including on rumours of the corrupt nature of the process, and whether they could disclose it. Has the number of jobseekers and visa holders issued by Polish officials increased in the labour market of other Member States? Finally, if the European Commission can confirm that such a phenomenon has occurred, what action is being taken or planned? With great attention, Commissioner, I have been waiting for you to say something about this. I have learned that the whole burden of clarifying this matter is borne by the European Commission on the shoulders of the Polish government. These are false expectations, Commissioner. These are illusory expectations because the Polish authorities themselves claim... (The President took the floor)

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! I think we all share the view that public access to documents should be broad and easy. Exceptions, delays, refusals should be the exception, not the rule. Therefore, I am concerned about the removal of certain documents by the Commission and the impediment to Parliament's access to full and detailed information on the implementation and enforcement of EU law. The rules for declassifying documents should be clear, uniform. An independent body should be established to oversee the enforcement of these rules. Transparency fosters accountability and trust. When citizens have access to documents and information underpinning EU policies, they can hold their elected representatives and public officials to account. It also allows civil society organisations, journalists and researchers to investigate and expose potential abuses and corruption. As members of this House, we should promote transparency, accountability and democracy in the European Union, promote trust and strengthen the legitimacy of the EU institutions, ensuring that the documents that shape our future remain accessible to all.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Mr. President, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! The European Investment Bank has played an important role in strengthening Europe's potential for jobs and growth. At the same time, the EIB has consistently provided financing to projects related to sustainability, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Its activities contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a sustainable future, which is in line with the political and economic objectives of the European Union. The European Investment Bank is also strongly committed to helping Ukraine. The funds allocated to Ukraine in the face of the difficulties resulting from the war with Russia are very important. By providing financial support, the EIB contributes to stabilising the situation in the country and assists in the recovery process. This is an expression of the European Union's practical solidarity and our commitment to supporting partner countries in difficult times. Let's hope that after the end of the war, these actions will be even more important. Then everything the European Investment Bank does is at the heart of our priorities, gaining our recognition and support.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! After the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the growth rate of foreign investment in Europe has stalled. In 2022, foreign direct investment in Europe increased by only 1%, but worse still, the number of jobs created by these investments fell by 16%. It seems that this year may be crucial for the European economy, as dampened by crises and war, demand and deferred investment plans from recent years may trigger a new wave of investment growth. The European Union must be ready for this wave and, in the face of competition from the US and China, create economic and legal conditions that convince investors to invest their funds on the Old Continent. I mean the investment climate, less regulation, more freedom and entrepreneurship. It is necessary to build such a climate, increase investment in research and development, attract digital and green investments, become a place where modern green production plants are created. We should remember that only an active and competitive attitude towards investors will create new jobs for Europeans.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The plan for joint EU purchases of ammunition for Ukraine does not require special discussions. The Ukrainian arms industry, like the economy, is destroyed and does not give a chance to meet its needs with its own forces. At the same time, Russian armaments plants remain intact, moreover, they are switching to full-scale war production. In this context, if the European Union wants to continue supporting Ukraine, not only in words but also in deeds, it must become Ukraine’s industrial base. Also in the context of arms production. What Commissioner Breton might be concerned about in the adopted 3-point plan is the long-distance deadlines until September. After all, the Russians will not stop their activities until September to wait for the implementation of EU procurement procedures. I call for speeding up the implementation of the necessary decisions resulting from the joint procurement and ammunition production plans. Of course, this also applies to the urgent vote in Parliament. I also call for the funding of these projects to be secured, but without cuts to the structural funds, especially the cohesion funds. We have a commitment to young Europeans to live and thrive in a safe, united Europe. We also have commitments to Ukrainian friends and allies who are currently fiercely fighting for their country. These commitments must encourage us to act vigorously and effectively. I believe that will be the case.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. President, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! In a month, on 16 April, it will be 20 years since the governments of Poland and Lithuania signed the accession treaty in Athens, which is the legal basis for the accession of our countries to the European Union. Together with us, eight more countries have done so, and this was the largest enlargement of the European Union in its entire history. I had the honour as Polish Prime Minister to sign the treaty and certainly in Poland and Lithuania the 20th anniversary will be a good opportunity for various assessments and balances of our membership. I am convinced, Mr. President, that you judge these 20 years very well, as do I, and others, and many Poles. Not only history is important, but above all the discussion on the future of Europe, upholding the idea that unites us. This idea is fulfilled in helping Ukraine repel Russian aggression, but also in upholding European values, the principles of the rule of law, social justice, equality of rights between women and men, and helping all those who expect it. We can regenerate and build bridges. This is the right path and it must be continued for the present and for future generations, deepening European integration and upholding all the values that have gathered us here in this Chamber. I am convinced that both Lithuania and all other Member States will consistently follow this path.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ensuring food security is one of the fundamental objectives of our Union. Field productivity is inextricably linked to the availability of crop support measures such as nitrogen fertilisers and phosphate rock. Their prices, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and the increase in gas prices, reached exorbitant amounts, causing justified concern among farmers, but also ordinary consumers. This has clearly shown how a carefree dependence on external producers, including Russia and Belarus, which supplied 60% of fertilisers to the European Union, and the lack of innovation can easily pose a real threat to food security in Europe. Higher prices of fertilizers or even their unavailability are, after all, higher food prices and lower yields. I look forward to the actions of the Commission and the Council in the framework of the Farm to Fork Strategy or the new agricultural policy. However, precise support programmes are needed to achieve biofertiliser production targets and target self-sufficiency. It is not enough for the EU to define what it needs. We need to show farmers how to achieve this, and that is where we should focus our efforts.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Friends and colleagues! Discussions so far have shown that democracy is not keeping up with the development of technology, which poses a threat to its independence. The INGE committee identifies these risks, but I think that the EU institutions should significantly speed up the introduction of legislative solutions enabling effective defence against foreign regimes' interference in electoral processes, their results and, ultimately, the political situation in the Member States. The situation in the UK is a good example. Also, the recent events related to corruption, which are painful for us, show that we know who took the money, but we do not know who gave the money. The other side is just as responsible as the former. In my country, Poland, we are struggling to attack the opposition with the Pegasus programme. There is an unexplained problem of leaking e-mails from government mailboxes full of confidential information about the state. There is an open war on the Polish border, but also another war is taking place in the privacy of cabinets, in the online space, on which authoritarian regimes have spent nearly $300 million since 2020. In this silent war, the freedom, freedom and independence of European democracy are at stake. There is no room for our failure. Our victory is our duty.

Mr President, thank you very much. Climate change did not come out of nowhere. The countries of the West and the North bear the greatest responsibility for this state of affairs. The wealth of our part of the world is occupied by the degradation of the natural environment, which in a drastic and vivid way makes clear the cataclysm in Pakistan, which affected more than 30 million people. The element absorbed 18 million square kilometers, 2 million houses were underwater, crops and infrastructure were completely destroyed. Animals were killed. Losses are counted in billions of dollars, and this is not the final balance sheet. Although every day we make efforts to repay the loan taken from our planet with the achievement of climate neutrality, the tragedy of Pakistan painfully realizes that we act too slowly and late, the consequences of which are borne by states almost defenseless against the cataclysm that fell on them. Pakistani authorities are appealing to the whole world for support. The European Union must respond to this objective with humanitarian, institutional, financial and any other assistance.