What Malik spoke about.

23 Mar

2022

EN Speech

Debriefing of the European Council meeting in Paris on 10 March 2022 - Preparation of the European Council meeting 24-25 March 2022 (debate)

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Madam President, Putin’s unjustified, brutal war against the innocent people of Ukraine continues to rage. The sheer bravery, dedication and determination of the Ukrainian people is awe-inspiring. We all feel the need to show our solidarity with Ukraine. We can do so by helping the Ukrainian people on the frontline of the battle for democracy. Financial, humanitarian and military aid must continue…

8 Mar

2022

EN Speech

The deterioration of the situation of refugees as a consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine (debate)

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Mr President, barbaric scenes are unfolding as Putin’s illegal invasion is escalating. Terrible violence against innocent Ukrainians is on full display at our own borders. People are fleeing from burning cities. It is without question that we need to give them a safe place. And Europe is taking responsibility. We see countless initiatives of EU citizens to show solidarity. It is our duty to organi…

1 Mar

2022

EN Speech

Russian aggression against Ukraine (debate)

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Mr President, the courageous Ukrainian people are standing up to an evil act of aggression. Europe answers Ukraine’s call for help. We rise up to defend those who are fighting for freedom and democracy. The EU is showing unity and we are finally showing that we are not just a soft power. We are crippling Russia’s economy, isolating Putin’s regime and reinforcing Ukraine’s defence. But this is just…

16 Feb

2022

EN Speech

The Rule of Law and the consequences of the ECJ ruling (debate)

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Madam President, we are in a Union. And in this Union, if our common rules and values are not respected by some, it affects us all. When independent judicial checks and balances are not respected, when the functioning of European democracy is at risk, and when the rights of EU citizens are under threat, we must act. This is why the rule of law conditionality mechanism is so important and why Membe…

16 Feb

2022

EN Speech

EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine (debate)

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Madam President, we have all witnessed the escalating pressure on Ukraine and Putin is without doubt playing a very dangerous game of brinkmanship. What is he really trying to achieve? Well, nobody knows, besides Putin himself. And what we do know is that putting a gun to Ukraine’s head is no way to preserve peace in Europe or to enhance Russia’s security. One misstep, one mistake and Putin could …

10 Nov

2021

EN Speech

The escalating humanitarian crisis on the EU-Belarusian border, in particular in Poland (debate)

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Mr President, the abuse of vulnerable migrants by Belarus is a most cynical and hostile act of hybrid warfare that requires the full scope of the EU’s powers to put a halt to it. The EU should warn the migrants falling into Lukashenko’s trap. We should tell Facebook and other social media platforms to stop facilitating this human smuggling and take down all the instruction videos explaining how to…

19 Oct

2021

EN Speech

Commission Work Programme 2022 (debate)

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Madam President, as we emerge from the pandemic, the green shoots of recovery we see must be allowed to flourish. There are challenges that risk undermining our recovery and let’s make sure we, as European legislators, are part of the solution. This is why I strongly welcome your intention to apply the ‘one in, one out’ principle to the Commission Work Programme of 2022. ‘Less, but better regulati…

19 Oct

2021

EN Speech

The Rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law (continuation of debate)

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Mr President, following this debate here I’m forced to draw some obvious conclusions. The Polish Prime Minister has made himself very clear. He calls it abiding by the law. It’s blackmail. I am not susceptible to blackmail, Prime Minister. And I don’t believe you are either Madam President von der Leyen. You correctly call yourself the guardian of the treaties, but it entails more than only words …

19 Oct

2021

EN Speech

The Rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law (debate)

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Mr President, President von der Leyen, Prime Minister, representatives of the Council, dear colleagues, when the European Union is united, Poland is protected. When the European Union is united, Poland is protected. Throughout the most painful history of this continent, it has been Poland and its brave citizens that have suffered most from European divisions. That’s why, your attempts, Prime Minis…

15 Sep

2021

EN Speech

State of the Union (debate)

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Mr President, as we start a new political year, we look back on a turbulent summer. We are still coping with the corona epidemic. The American retreat from Afghanistan brought the Taliban back to power and fear back to the eyes of women and girls. We also saw flooding due to heavy rainfall, and extreme heat on our own continent. This summer has reminded us there is still much to be done: on geopol…

14 Sep

2021

EN Speech

Situation in Afghanistan (debate)

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Madam President, a lot went wrong over the summer in Afghanistan, with tragic and unfortunate consequences for the Afghan people, especially for the brave Afghan women. And it is important that we draw our lessons from what happened. While I realise that we have very different values from the Taliban, I also believe it is important for Europe to engage with Afghanistan. We have to talk with the Ta…

7 Jul

2021

EN Speech

Commission Work Programme 2022 (debate)

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Mr President, with vaccination campaigns rolling out throughout the European Union, we can look to 2022 with fresh hope. Later this year, we will pass the mid-term point of this election cycle. Soon, we will be closer to the 2024 European Parliamentary elections than the 2019 elections. It is time to take stock because our actions now and the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe will …

6 Jul

2021

EN Speech

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

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Mr President, dear Prime Minister Janša, dear Commission President and dear colleagues, let me start by taking the opportunity to thank the Portuguese Presidency for the last six months. We now have a climate law, we can use our EU Digital COVID Certificate when we cross borders and we are working towards a real EU agency for asylum. Let’s hope the next six months will be as productive. The priori…