Speeches

Madam President, the Pegasus scandal is deeply troubling. It calls for European action on several levels. First, we must focus our joint efforts much more on safe communication. We must adapt to the new technological realities and ensure that journalists, politicians and activists across the European Union have reliable means to a secure exchange of information. Democratic politics and free and independent media cannot flourish when both interpersonal and professional relations get raked at a massive scale with the help of malicious activity. Let’s remember: if journalists cannot rely on secure communication, their lives can be in danger. In Slovakia, we learned the hardest way when Ján Kuciak was murdered. Second, we must ask the European Commission to follow up thoroughly, and investigate on both the potential and/or the alleged abuse of digital surveillance technology by certain Member States. It is unacceptable that modern technologies are misused within Europe with the aim of undermining our freedom and democracy. It is good that, after our discussion on the Pegasus scandal in INGE Committee, we are addressing this issue in the Plenary today. However, subsequent European action on this matter is going to be crucial. Dear colleagues, if we allow dictatorships, such as China, to become permanent technological forerunners, European democracy will be at dire risk. There is still time to join forces to prevent this bleak picture of our own future.

Mr President, the IPA III is a significant financial instrument designed for future EU Member States. Therefore, it deserves full political attention across Europe. Congratulations to Ms Zovko and Mr Picula for negotiating an agreement which improves governance and increases scrutiny by this House, including through establishing a high—level geopolitical dialogue. IPA III is much more than a financial transfer. It is a political instrument which binds our partners in the region to put fundamentals first, and to work diligently on rule of law reforms and sound and sustainable public investment. Money alone, however, will not guarantee that things move forward in the Western Balkans. IPA III must go hand in hand with Europe’s political ambition, strategic commitment and geopolitical shrewdness when dealing with countries to which we clearly offered a European perspective as long as two decades ago. It is therefore high time we all – and Member States especially – do much more for a successful European Union enlargement.

Madam President, Schengen is a key pillar of the European project. A living space that has experienced an existential test over the past year and a half because of a virus that knows no borders or rules and threatens not only human health, but also the European way of life so linked to free movement for any of us. We will only put the European area of free movement back on its feet once we have overcome the pandemic. Schengen will only be as strong as our collective match against the next Covid wave will be successful. Yes, the European Digital Certificate is great news for freedom in the Schengen area. However, in order for it to work fully and be a real pathway to freedom in Europe, we need to vaccinate much faster than before, especially in countries so dependent on functioning Schengen as in my own country in Slovakia, but also in the whole of Central Europe. Disinformation about vaccination not only destroys people's health and lives, but also undermines the greatest achievements of the European project. Yes, the fight against the pandemic is also a struggle for a fully-fledged Schengen. The sooner we are aware of this across Europe, the sooner we have the hope of returning to a safe and reliable Schengen. More than a year ago, we had no idea when the borders in Europe would open permanently again. Today, thanks to vaccines, we know that the solution for free movement in Europe is in our own hands. Let's not marry him.

Madam President, it is high time that the European Union reinforced its foreign policy toolbox by stating very clearly that those responsible for human rights violations – but also economic and financial enablers of these abuses – have no place in doing business, travelling or using the European Union in any way that benefits them. No bank accounts, no buying of apartments in our cities. Our allies in the US, the UK and Canada have already done so. It is high time we did so as well. Further to these human rights violations, it is important that corruption, whether by officials, state entities, private individuals or organisations, is equally targeted by this European instrument. We cannot forget those who uncover these violations, and the EU needs to send a clear signal to human rights violators. We stand by those who shed light on these violations, and I reiterate the call for a protection mechanism to put in place for whistle—blowers and for investigative journalists covering these issues. Finally, let me underline my expectation that countries aspiring to join the EU should adhere to the EU Magnitsky Act. This global human rights sanctions regime is an important step towards reinforcing the European way of life in wider Europe too.

Madam President, I welcome this debate with the High Representative, but, frankly, I find it rather overdue. We are wagging the dog’s tail when it comes to effective and credible European action in fighting foreign interference and manipulative disinformation. Our own institutions are raising red flags. Last month, the European Court of Auditors published a special report on disinformation, which clearly states that our foreign service institutions are not ready to face the growing problem of malicious campaigns from abroad. Mr Borrell, it is high time to walk your own talk in the fight against targeted influence operations and massive disinformation. The pandemic, with its accompanying infodemic, has merely served as a wake—up call to the longstanding problem of the EU’s weak coordination, accountability and resources in the face of widespread and often very sophisticated foreign propaganda. Mr High Representative, the fight against disinformation must become a priority for the second part of your mandate, especially in relation to both Russia and China, where most malign campaigns originate. The European Union must focus on preventive measures. This means clear political responsibility and much better coordination of EU action against foreign interference and disinformation in the Commission. It also means proper financial and personal resources in StratCom and more active and decisive engagement in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership, including support for independent and professional journalism and public broadcasters. Mr Borrell, I look forward to watching closely your action in our common struggle against those who want to destroy our European way of life.