Speeches

Mr President, in recent weeks and months, there has been widespread misinformation that the European market has been flooded with cheap Ukrainian grain and that European farmers are suffering because of this. Imports of agricultural commodities from Ukraine have returned to the same level as before the war. And there are even commodities where it has fallen significantly, for example, in oats. On the contrary, what is growing significantly is the import of Russian commodities. As data for 2021, 2022 and 2023 show, imports of barley and wheat have multiplied. It is clear that Russia is also waging a hybrid war on agriculture. It uses disinformation about Ukrainian grain exports to the European Union to undermine our support and fuel hatred against Ukrainian farmers. It also uses food as another weapon in its war of aggression against Ukraine for more than two years. And it's not just a weapon against Ukraine. It is a weapon against Europe, against the whole world and against global food stability. I am strongly in favour of imposing sanctions on imports of agricultural commodities from Russia and Belarus into the European Union. It is not Ukrainian grain that threatens European farmers, it is Russian grain.

Mr President, political trials, prisons amid the desolate Siberian plains, and the mysterious deaths of dissidents and political rivals are like Solzhenitsyn's Gulag Archipelago. But it is the sad and cruel reality of today's Russia under the tyrannical and mafia regime of Vladimir Putin, a return to the times of the deepest Stalinism. Today we are talking about the fate of Alexei Navalny, but on that occasion I would also like to mention others whose names should not be forgotten, such as Boris Nemtsov or Anna Politkovskaya. I would like to believe that Russia, too, will one day be a free democratic country that respects human rights, civil rights and freedoms, the territorial integrity of neighbouring states and peaceful coexistence. Therefore, let us value what we have in Europe and defend our values – freedom, democracy and human rights.

Mr President, there are many opponents of precise breeding methods in the European Parliament, and some even deliberately confuse new breeding methods with GMOs, thereby manipulating public opinion. It's unfair. Precise breeding methods will give our farmers new plant varieties that will, for example, better withstand drought, be less susceptible to mold and other pests, make better use of nutrients, use less fertilisers or pesticides. And that's what we're all calling for. NGT plants are more efficient, precise and faster, and no foreign gene is used here. It is supported by the general professional public. They are commonly used in other parts of the world and these products are then imported to us. Please give a chance to a sustainable and competitive European agriculture. Please vote for new breeding techniques.

Mr President, two years. Two years after Putin's horde attacked Ukraine. Yes, part of our society, and perhaps also part of our politicians, is becoming ‘tired’ of still dealing with what is happening in Ukraine and the effects on Europe. But being tired is not the answer. If we do not stop Russia now, next time one of us will be next, and the consequences will be much worse for all of us. Therefore, we must persevere in supporting Ukraine's heroic struggle and we must resolve all that we have neglected over the last decade. Two per cent of the defence budget must be the absolute minimum for each Member State, and we must finally start producing our defence industry. It is not possible for banks to refuse to finance investments in the defence industry. Europe cannot produce enough ammunition. There's still a lot of work to do, but we don't have an alternative, there's no third way. Ukraine needs victory. The European Union needs Ukraine's victory.

Mr President, there is much we can do to improve the conditions of farmers. But we have to listen to them. Unfortunately, this did not happen during this mandate on the part of the European Commission. The Commission has come up with a number of green legislative proposals with an immediate impact on farmers, both in increasing bureaucratic burdens and in new requirements aimed at combating climate change. At the same time, it has done nothing to make it easier or cheaper for farmers to implement these measures. For example, the proposal to use precise breeding methods came very late and it is possible that it will not be discussed by the end of our mandate. It is necessary to talk to farmers about changes, about the overall set-up of the common agricultural policy and with regard to the accession of new countries to the European Union.

Mr President, we must clearly reject the constant calls to Israel to limit its military action in Gaza. The actors escalating tensions are Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Yemeni rebels. Israel must eliminate Hamas as soon as possible. A ceasefire would only mean time for terrorists to prepare another attack on Israel and put Israeli civilians at risk. The constant repetition of the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages must be intensified. 102 days after the terror rages, 136 people, including women, children and the elderly, are still in captivity. Humanitarian aid must also be provided to the civilian population in Gaza. Israel cooperates with the UN, which must be able to increase the volume of aid and ensure that aid to civilians is not stolen by terrorists, which then serve to further attack Israel.

Mr President, we all know that this latest escalation of the conflict in the Middle East began with Hamas's heinous terrorist attack on unarmed Israeli civilians. Some of them were brutally murdered, some of them were previously brutally tortured, women were raped, and some of them were taken hostage with considerable support from the people of Gaza. Relativising these heinous crimes or trying to dissolve them in some context, which unfortunately is also happening in the European Parliament, is something utterly reprehensible. We all want the conflict to end with a ceasefire, but it cannot be a ceasefire that only allows Hamas to arm itself again. A permanent ceasefire is only possible if all remaining hostages are unconditionally released, Hamas surrenders and the Gaza Strip is completely demilitarized. This is the only way to protect the civilian population in Israel. This is the only way to protect the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, it has been a month and a day since the largest massacre of Jews since the Second World War. Hamas terrorists, with the support of ayatollahs from Iran, killed, tortured and kidnapped civilians, women, children, the elderly. This is not a romantic fight for freedom. These are disgusting, barbaric, terrorist acts. Israel has the right to defend itself. It's not just a right, it's a duty to defend its people. Hamas, Islamic Jihad and similar terrorist groups must be destroyed. Without it, there will be no peace and no long-term solution to the Middle East situation. Let's look the truth in the eyes. We must put an end to the policy of appeasement towards Iran. It is high time to impose the toughest sanctions against the biggest terrorist sponsor in the Middle East. The situation is equally serious on the streets of European capitals. Anti-Semitism, whether from the right, from the left or from Islamists, must not get any space in Europe. We must not allow Hamas and Iran to subvert our society.

Mr President, I am very happy for today's debate on water and the direction of the investments needed to ensure access to water across the EU. We can't survive without water. While we as humans can adapt to more carbon dioxide, we cannot survive without water. I come from the Czech Republic, a country nicknamed the roof of Europe, because it falls into three basins, and all the water that rains in our country immediately drains away from us. If we want to ensure sufficient water in all Member States, we must take measures that are appropriate to their geographical conditions. The basis is the retention of water in the landscape and the restoration of groundwater. I consider their depletion and plundering to be unbelievable credulity. The next step is to invest in water infrastructure. The losses in it are huge. Finally, there is cost-effective wastewater treatment and the use of treated wastewater where possible. We in the European Parliament must not succumb to the temptation to regulate every detail, but to focus only on the essentials. This is the only way to help Member States take the measures that are needed.

Mr President, tap water is not a matter of course in the world. As well as wastewater treatment at the same level as we have in the European Union. I am very happy for this and I hope that we will continue to do so. The Nils Torvalds report goes in the right direction in principle. However, there are things that can disproportionately affect only some Member States. Typically, those whose territory largely falls under so-called sensitive areas. This can result in wasteful investments in relatively new treatment plants without significantly increasing the quality of the water they discharge back into rivers. What's even worse is that someone will have to pay for it. I don't want them to be consumers. We must ensure that water services remain socially accessible to all citizens. That is why, together with Alexander Vondra and Pietro Fiocchio, we have tabled amendment 253, which addresses this problem, and I am asking for your support.

Madam President, Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and drone attacks on granaries and warehouses continue to show us that Putin is not shying away from anything. Targeted threats to global food security are a tool of hybrid warfare by which Putin seeks to weaken our assistance to Ukraine and tie to himself states that are dependent on imports of agricultural commodities. And we must not give in to this extortion. Ukraine, Europe and Turkey must find a solution to continue to safely export grain from Ukraine across the Black Sea without the participation of Russia, while at the same time we must strengthen land capacities. However, I would also like to appeal to the countries neighbouring Ukraine to further refrain from unilateral actions restricting imports from Ukraine. At the same time, I call on the Commission to finally address this situation, which is only playing into the hands of Putin and his propaganda.

Mr President, it is in the vital interest of the Czech Republic, but also of the whole of Europe, to support Ukraine in every way so that it can fight back its territories and thus bring Russia back to its borders before 2014. I am glad for all the promises, but especially for the real deliveries of military equipment by individual states. At the same time, we must continue to support the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural crops to the world, because even with these trade funds, Ukraine can function. But what I am most pleased about is yesterday's decision by NATO leaders on a simplified approach for Ukraine in the management of NATO accession. We, as the European Union, should also proceed as quickly as possible so that, when the war is over, Ukraine can be admitted to the European Union without undue delay.

Madam President, I am glad that the states have found an agreement with the Commission on the import of Ukrainian grain and will allow transit through their territories. It is important that the Solidarity Corridors continue to operate unhindered so that Ukraine can trade in agricultural crops. It is the only way they can finance the running of the state and the fight against aggressive Putin. The European Commission must work on measures such as control and support of transports or the possible withdrawal of surplus raw materials from the market through pan-European intervention purchases and their use for humanitarian aid. The way out of the current situation is a pan-European solution. In no way, however, are unilateral prohibitions and selective compensations that destabilise the market even more. Our support for Ukraine must not be threatened and undermined.

Mr President, farmers are key players in the green transition because they care most about our nature and landscape. Their management has a direct impact on the state of soil and water. As conservatives, we support and will always support their involvement. But we must keep in mind that we cannot kill farmers with crazy bureaucracy, add more tasks to them and distract them from their primary task – food production. But the European Parliament and the Commission are not listening to our farmers. Frans Timmermans, the main architect of the green transition, does not go to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, although his ideas have a significant impact on farmers. By the way, we can see what is happening in his Netherlands today. The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety also takes on board the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on issues related to the green transition in agriculture. At the same time, it has absolutely no idea what agricultural practice is and how it will affect the agricultural sector. Or they don't care. The fight against CO2 is important for everyone, but no one is saying that farmers can help us. We just have to listen to them.

Mr President, the sexual orientation with which someone is born does not affect anyone, nor does it affect the colour of their hair or eyes. There are over 60 countries in the world where homosexuality is a crime. Recently, Uganda passed a similar law. For something as self-evident as love between two people, gays or lesbians face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. This is something that must be absolutely unacceptable to all of us. We must condemn such laws unequivocally. Fundamental human rights must apply to everyone around the world.

Mr President, the situation in Moldova shows us how imprudent it was for the EU to focus only on itself and its own problems and to ignore its surroundings. The rejection of further integration, albeit not explicitly mentioned, has led to frustration among the populations of countries that have long sought EU membership. This frustration stirs up anti-European sentiment and often means a shift of part of society towards Russia. We see this in Serbia, for example, and Moldova is similar. A small landlocked state just outside the EU, where a long-standing frozen conflict with the pro-Russian part is taking place. We need to give Moldova a clear vision of rapid EU accession and we need to take this seriously, because we will not get more chances to keep democratic countries around our borders. Democratic principles and the maintenance of common values are far more valuable than 100% transposition of all European legislation.

Mr President, Mr High Representative, the United States and Canada are our biggest and closest allies and partners, in all areas: common defence, security, economy, culture, innovation. Nowadays, Russia's imperial aggression and China's increasingly confrontational behavior must be held together much more as the West. And most importantly, we must not allow any, if only hints of trade disputes or perhaps even trade wars. I'll just go back to what's happened here several times. Unfortunately, we do not have a trade agreement with the United States. I think it's a mistake, but it's already happened. Are we going to deal with these trade relations with at least smaller sectoral agreements? You were talking about two deals. I think that's too little. Are we making any more? Basically, we're talking about what we can do next. But any confrontation with the United States is not in our interest. And what will be our next reaction to the IRU (Inflation Reduction Act)?

Mr President, Commissioner, the measures proposed by the Commission and even our parliamentary resolutions are a good start to getting rid of dependence on imported fertilisers and on Russia. There are many sources of organic nutrients that are not used to their full potential, such as manure, digestate and sewage sludge. The processing of organic nutrients into fertilisers is an opportunity for farmers to reduce their dependence on fertilisers. Equally important for the soil is the movement of livestock through pastures and their manure, which adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Our main objective should be to enable farmers to use the widest possible range of natural organic matter they inject into the soil. Our big task is also to work on removing unnecessary legislative and administrative burdens and improving the functioning of the European fertiliser market. The budgetary reserve should be prioritised for investment in research into alternatives to industrial fertilisers and precision agriculture. This is the only way to improve the condition of the land and ensure sufficient agricultural production.

Mr President, one year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, information has emerged about a new planned Russian offensive. We're hearing about what's happening in Moldova. Putin is able to do anything to get at least a small hint of victory, and he was able to explain to the Russians why tens of thousands of ordinary people had to die. Recently, we heard a statement from the leader of the Wagner Group, Prigozhin, that he has a plan to achieve La Manche. If even these words don't force us to increase our military assistance to Ukraine, then I don't know what it should be. The Czech Republic has already provided Ukraine with a huge amount of military equipment and we will continue to help as much as we can. On the other hand, we read the opinions of some countries, such as Switzerland, which not only refuse to help Ukraine, but actively block the help of other countries. Such actions must also be loudly rejected. As well as condemning those who are able to sacrifice our safety for a few euros or francs.

Mr President, at its forthcoming meeting, the European Council will also address irregular migration, which has regained momentum over the past year. In the Czech Republic, but also in neighbouring Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, the number of intercepted migrants illegally crossing the border increased by hundreds of percent year-on-year. The Czech Republic responded by increasing the number of controls at the Czech-Slovak border, which have worked and are now being terminated. At the same time, the Czech Presidency managed to achieve the unification of visa obligations with the countries of the Western Balkans, which will limit the arrival of migrants along this route. There is therefore a clear need for further discussion on the protection of the external border and on cooperation with source countries. And here I am talking about the need to condition our development aid and cooperation on synergies in the field of migration. I also hope that the debate on mandatory quotas for the redistribution of refugees is over, because it has become clear that countries that have long protested against this system have now received far more refugees as a result of Russia's aggression in Ukraine than other countries have in the past.

Madam President, Bucha, Irpin, Dnipro – these are the most famous cases of atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine. They are the most famous, but they are certainly not the only ones. There are many more cases where the Russian military terrorizes and kills civilians. These atrocities must not go unpunished. We must establish as soon as possible the International Criminal Tribunal for the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crimes of Aggression against Ukraine and bring the perpetrators to justice. Putin, Shoigu, Lavrov, and other senior Russian officials, as well as allies of Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Lukashenko, and representatives of the Iranian regime, should certainly stand before this tribunal. All those involved in planning, preparing and leading the invasion of Ukraine.

Madam President, I would like to begin by expressing my sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones because of the Russian missile attack on a dwelling in Dnipro. Once again, it turns out that Russia is not attacking military targets, but rather is killing civilians, spreading fear in an effort to provoke another wave of migration towards Europe. For the same reason, Ukraine is still facing intense bombardment of energy infrastructure. Let us not delude ourselves that Russia's call for peace is sincere. Russia's only effort is to destroy Ukraine and scare the democratic world. We must continue our support with both military supplies of additional weapons and financial assistance. Only in this way can we sustain Russia and help Ukraine.

Madam President, right now millions of people in Ukraine are suffering from a lack of heat, light or drinking water. Among them, young children, pregnant women or the elderly. As a result of Russia's massive attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure, we are witnessing a humanitarian crisis that Europe has not remembered for years. I am glad that the European Union is putting its hand to work and showing that we are not leaving Ukraine. Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are state terrorism, with which dictator Putin is trying to bring the Ukrainian people to their knees. Despite all the assumptions before the war that Kiev will fall in a matter of days, Ukrainians have been bravely defending themselves for ten months against an aggressor who commits war crimes on their territory, murders innocent people and literally wants to smash the country to pieces. We must persevere and continue to help Ukraine. This is in the interests of the security of the whole of Europe.

Madam President, the Iranians have been protesting against their government for more than two months. They protest against a regime that imprisons them and kills innocents. Against a regime that threatens other countries with destruction. Our task must be to point out these actions, not to keep silent, but to stand up for those who have resisted. We can watch hundreds of thousands of people protesting in the streets, but also brave athletes who, with their gestures, clearly show their opposition to the Iranian government. This is despite the fact that they are the most visible and are at risk of being imprisoned. We must reject efforts to establish trade relations with Iran or even to reduce sanctions. Iran has not changed. Our attitude towards him must not change either. The European Union must help all those who oppose the regime and, on the contrary, condemn all those who cooperate with it in any way.

Mr President, we must persevere in helping Ukraine, of course because of Ukraine, but also because of peace and security in Europe. The energy crisis is affecting different countries in different ways, but we must not let Russia divide us because that is its goal. We must not give in and give in to Putin's nuclear threats at any cost. We stand firmly behind Ukraine, its territorial integrity and it is our duty to help in the fight against the Russian aggressor. The threats of the Russian dictator, the proclamation of fake referendums and illegal attempts to incorporate Ukrainian territory into the Russian Federation are clear proof that military assistance to Ukraine is working. When Putin saw that Ukrainians were able to liberate Ukrainian territories, he hardened his rhetoric and actions. The proof is the mobilization he carried out in Russia, or the military movements of Russian troops towards the place of war conflict. Putin cannot win the war. And we can help him lose. It is precisely by persevering in helping Ukraine that we will not be blackmailed and will show that we are strong and united.