What Malik spoke about.

28 Feb

2024

EN Speech

Strengthening European Defence in a volatile geopolitical landscape - Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2023 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2023 (joint debate - European security and defence)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, I start by paying respect for the Ukrainian people, who continue to fight for our common freedoms. Colleagues, all Ukrainians ask for is weapons. They need to defend their country. Ukraine is losing ground because they don’t have them. No one can say when or where Russia’s invasion will end, but we know that any victory for Russia is a blow to European security. The …

17 Jan

2024

EN Speech

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 and preparation of the Special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 - Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds (joint debate - European Council meetings)

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Mr President, dear Vice-President Šefčovič – because Ms von der Leyen left the room – dear Minister Lahbib, dear colleagues, needless to remind you that democracy and the rule of law are under attack in different parts of the world. But what is even more terrifying today is that they are also under attack in Europe, in our own backyard. The fact that our guardians of the Treaties, who are supposed…

15 Jan

2024

EN Speech

Commemoration of Jacques Delors

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Madam President, dear colleagues, my political family was deeply touched by the death of Jacques Delors. On behalf of the Renew Europe Group, I send my condolences to his family. Jacques Delors was a great European and one of the most important founding fathers of today's European Union. Like President Macron said, he was . Jacques Delors was a firm believer in a united Europe, in a Europe where o…

18 Oct

2023

EN Speech

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023 (debate)

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Mr President, dear Executive Vice-President Šefčovič, dear Minister, honourable Members, our heart goes out to the terror victims in Israel, in Arras and in Brussels, and our heart also goes out to the innocent victims in Gaza. Let me be clear on this. We live in times of conflicts and Europe should play its role in helping to solve these. It takes a strong, confident and, most of all, united Euro…

17 Oct

2023

EN Speech

Commission Work Programme 2024 (debate)

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Madam President, Executive Vice—President Šefčovič, dear colleagues. 233 days remain until the European elections – 233 opportunities to address the many challenges we face, the dangers we face, the world we face, because the world is changing rapidly. Our citizens wants to see a Europe that remains calm, united and strong. Wars in Ukraine, the Caucasus and the Middle East, coups in Africa, and te…

4 Oct

2023

EN Speech

Need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioner Schinas, dear Secretary of State, let me start by congratulating you, Secretary of State, because finally, at the Justice and Home Affairs meeting last week, we saw a glimmer of hope. Let’s hope also that Coreper this morning will succeed. Hope for real progress on the migration and asylum pact. Thinking ahead to the informal summit in Granada, where Europe wants th…

13 Sep

2023

EN Speech

State of the Union (debate)

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Madam President, dear President von der Leyen, dear Ursula, first I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Moroccan and Libyan people, who have been impacted by a massive earthquake and a flood. I expect also our Union to continue to help them to overcome this tragedy. Dear President, one more year to go. Together we have achieved a lot in the last four years that for some reason feel li…

12 Sep

2023

EN Speech

2022 Report on Türkiye (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioner, first of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the rapporteur on this report, Mr Sánchez Amor, and of course also my colleagues, shadow rapporteurs, on this important report. And thanks for the good cooperation. Well, after the Turkish elections in May, President Erdoğan used his victory speech to target again minorities and especially also LGBTI people. I b…

12 Sep

2023

EN Speech

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy (debate)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, the past few months we have seen the busiest migration summer since 2016 and every week we have to read about yet another deadly tragedy at sea. In these circumstances, it is clear that our citizens expect a union that acts. And that is why I support the initiative to conclude a broad agreement with Tunisia, which includes migration cooperation. It shows the level of…

12 Jul

2023

NL Speech

The need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean (debate)

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Mr President, I will do it in Dutch, this time my own language. Three weeks ago I was on Lampedusa and I was able to see with my own eyes on what scale migrant boats are now arriving in Italy. And with this cynical model of human smuggling, conditions are also becoming increasingly dangerous. Many crossings are now undertaken in homemade light-alloy boats that capsize easily and pose a danger to t…

14 Jun

2023

EN Speech

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular in the light of recent steps towards concluding the Migration Pact (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioner Šefčovič and dear Minister Roswell, let me start by offering my congratulations to you, Minister, last week you achieved something we have asked for a very long time. Finally, we are witnessing progress on one of the most important policy areas for our citizens. Finally, dear colleagues, the European Union is taking steps to tackle one of the challenges of our time.…

29 Mar

2023

EN Speech

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 (debate)

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Madam President, dear President of the Commission, dear President of the Council, dear Vice-President Šefčovič, dear President Metsola, dear colleagues, we are faced with several crises and conducting fundamental reforms. We are refurbishing and rebuilding our European House at the same time. For our citizens, it’s a lot. How do we strike a balance between tackling climate change but remain compet…

15 Feb

2023

EN Speech

One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

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Madam President, President of the Commission, High Representative, colleagues, one year ago we lived in a different world. And today we see Ukrainian families torn apart because of Russia’s war of aggression. Tens of thousands of people have died and I would like to extend my condolences to their loved ones. We all remember the images from Bucha – a European Union keyring attached to a lifeless ha…

13 Feb

2023

EN Speech

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (debate)

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Madam President, dear Commissioner Lenarčič, dear colleagues, last week, southern Türkiye and northern Syria were rocked several times by very strong earthquakes, causing massive devastation of an unprecedented magnitude. Even now, a week later, it’s difficult to realise the scale of this disaster and human suffering. Last year, I got to know the beautiful cities of Gaziantep and Urfa. Very welcom…

1 Feb

2023

EN Speech

Preparation of the Special European Council meeting of February, in particular the need to develop sustainable solutions in the area of asylum and migration (debate)

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Madam President, dear colleagues, in a year, European elections will determine the future of Europe. And what are the biggest concerns of our voters? Well, we know it. Certainly, the high cost of living; the war in Ukraine. But I assure you that also migration will be on the top of their minds. We see this as a concern of many citizens, but I do not see the urgency to deliver. Colleagues, it’s tim…

17 Jan

2023

EN Speech

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Swedish Presidency (debate)

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Madam President, we can all agree the Swedish Presidency comes at a crucial time for our union. We see clearly that families are worried about the cost of living, high inflation, economic uncertainty. Renew Europe’s message: We hear you. We hear you. The solutions do not only lie at the European level, but we have a duty to do everything we can to make people’s lives easier. The best way to fight …

23 Nov

2022

EN Speech

The need for a European solution on asylum and migration including search and rescue (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioners, dear representatives of the Council and colleagues, Frontex estimates the number of illegal entries into the EU this year already at more than 280 000. This is up by 77% from last year and the highest figure since 2016. This high number is posing fast challenges for the EU and some Member States in particular. In the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria we have seen s…

18 Oct

2022

EN Speech

Commission Work Programme 2023 (debate)

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Mr President, we are living through extraordinary times. A still lingering global pandemic, war in Europe and all its profound consequences, uncertainty and economic headwinds. 2023 will be the last year before vital European elections, and we need to be in sixth gear and not in neutral. Now is the time to double down on delivering for the citizens of Europe. What does this mean in practice? It me…

5 Oct

2022

NL Speech

The Dutch childcare benefit scandal, institutional racism and algorithms (debate)

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Mr President, let me be clear and clear: This is a major matter that has taken place in the Netherlands, which is regrettable, which is deeply saddening, and for which the government has also taken its responsibility by stepping down. The Dutch government tried to learn lessons, and indeed, the compensation must be done as soon as possible for those who have been victimized by this. But the questi…

14 Sep

2022

EN Speech

State of the Union (debate)

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Madam President, dear President von der Leyen, dear Commissioners and dear colleagues, I want to start by praising the people of Ukraine for their enduring bravery and commitment to freedom. The progress they have made shows our aid and assistance to Ukraine is working. The EU must supply the weapons Ukraine needs to keep that momentum. Let us communicate directly to the people of Europe about who…

5 Jul

2022

EN Speech

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis (debate)

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Madam President, Prime Minister, honourable Members, we face a series of alarming challenges that deserve the attention of the solidarity of all of us. The unjust and uncalled for war of aggression raged by Russia in Ukraine is triggering new crises – an energy crisis, food shortages – and these two combined will lead to an economic and perhaps migration crisis. This continent needs to get ready f…

8 Jun

2022

EN Speech

Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 30-31 May 2022 (debate)

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Madam President, President von der Leyen, honourable Members, while the war in Ukraine carries on, our European unity becomes even more important. It becomes more important but also more difficult. Even though the real suffering occurs on our eastern border, we too feel the impact of war. The outcome of the European Council shows the European Union can still deliver. Thank you for your leadership,…

6 Jun

2022

EN Speech

2021 Report on Turkey (debate)

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Madam Chair, Commissioner, dear colleagues, first of all, I would like to thank, of course, Mr Sánchez Amor, the rapporteur, for all his efforts for this important report, and, of course, also those who were closely involved. Well, Madam Chair, my visit to Turkey a few weeks ago made it perfectly clear that the coming year will become a turbulent one in the EU–Turkey relations. The Turkish relucta…

19 May

2022

EN Speech

The fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine (debate)

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Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear Ukraine, MPs, we have all seen the horrific images coming from Ukraine, and still today reports are coming in of widespread executions, rape and torture by the Russian army. It is our duty to help the victims of Putin’s aggression and bring those responsible to justice. A joint investigation team was established by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine to investigate …

23 Mar

2022

EN Speech

Address by Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

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Madam President, I should like to welcome Prime Minister Trudeau to the European Parliament. Welcome to the House of European democracy. As a member of our Liberal family, Renew Europe is particularly honoured to have you here in our midst. The west is not a geographical place. It’s a set of values and institutions. It entails freedom, democracy and the rule of law. We share this, Prime Minister, …