What Eero spoke about.

14

Nov

2024

FI Speech

Watch

Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness (debate)

Mr President, Mr Niinistö, thank you for your valuable work in strengthening the Union's preparedness. Your extensive experience and judgement are reflected in the balanced presentations of the report. The European Union's readiness is not only about money, iron and legislation, but above all about a paradigm shift. Thinking in which citizens themselves take responsibility and take security and pr…

13

Nov

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Fight against money laundering and terrorist financing: listing Russia as a high-risk third country in the EU (debate)

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, next week it's 1 000 days since the brutal full-scale invasion from Russia into Ukraine. As the European Union, we stand behind Ukraine from day one. The EU adopted several sanctions packages against the aggressor and we tackled also many oligarchs. But, as we have heard, there are still loopholes and these need to be closed urgently. Indeed, yesterday it was reve…

23

Oct

2024

FI Speech

Watch

Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report 2023 (debate)

Mr President, first of all, thanks to President Murphy, you are doing valuable work at the Court of Auditors, the importance of which is emphasised in circumstances where there is a shortage of money and resources. The EU budget is a key instrument for achieving our common objectives. However, citizens are increasingly asking – quite rightly – how to use European money responsibly. The annual repo…

23

Oct

2024

FI Speech

Watch

Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs (debate)

Mr President, the steel industry is the cornerstone of European industry. Without steel, there is no construction, there is no automotive industry, there is no defence, and there is no strategic autonomy. And without the transition to carbon-free steel, Europe will not see the success of the green transition either. We have a state-of-the-art steel industry with long-term plans to produce steel wi…

18

Sep

2024

FI Speech

Watch

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice (debate)

Mr President, the Hungarian Government's clear disregard for other EU countries and their security is another link to the growing concern about what is happening in a country that is important to us, Hungary. Violations of the rule of law appear to continue, the Union's foreign policy decisions are being blocked, support for Ukraine is being made more difficult and, most recently, rapid Schengen v…

24

Apr

2024

EN Speech

Watch

The sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive - Anti-Money Laundering Regulation - Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (joint debate - Anti-money laundering)

Mr President, this discussion was, I would say, one of the most constructive ones in our Parliament during recent months and years. Happy to know this, that I would say as my conclusion that obviously nearly all the political groups are backing this proposal, which is a really important thing, and I’m pretty sure that our voters are appreciating it. Now the time is to go to the vote. I hope that w…

24

Apr

2024

FI Speech

Watch

The sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive - Anti-Money Laundering Regulation - Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (joint debate - Anti-money laundering)

Mr President, the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism package is one of the key projects of this parliamentary term. It will make the European Union a safer and fairer place for our citizens to live. The vote in the afternoon is the last step in the entire parliamentary term. Events in the world, in particular the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the movements of Russian…

23

Apr

2024

FI Speech

Watch

The use of Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine’s victory and reconstruction (debate)

Mr President, Russia is continuing its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine for the third year. When Ukrainians are fighting bravely not only for their own freedom, but also for the freedom of all of us Europeans, the European Union must also be brave. The suffering caused by Russia's military actions is incomprehensible, both to Ukrainian civilians and to society as a whole. Therefore, Russia…

23

Apr

2024

FI Speech

Watch

Effective coordination of economic policies and multilateral budgetary surveillance - Speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure – amending Regulation - Requirements for budgetary frameworks of the Member States – amending Directive (joint debate – Economic governance)

Mr President, reform of the rules is indeed necessary. The old economic rules have not worked for a long time. A new solution must therefore be found. This proposal is an important step forward. It gives room for the necessary investment in employment. It also provides flexibility when it comes to meeting the terms of the agreement. There also seem to be colleagues here who think that there is no …

10

Apr

2024

FI Speech

Watch

Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories (debate)

Mr President, the results of last month's presidential elections in Russia did not surprise anyone. The so-called elections took place in a situation where the opposition in the country is imprisoned, in exile or killed. True political challengers were prevented from standing and free media was pushed down. In a situation where civil society has been repressed and citizens imprisoned for demonstra…

13

Mar

2024

FI Speech

Watch

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo (debate)

It is good to see you, Prime Minister Orpo, here in the European Parliament. Finland has always been a respected, constructive member. You set out your ideas for a contingency union. Oh, that's good. But what about a social union, a union that defends people, in the midst of all market forces? This is what Delors said: promoting the contractual functioning of the labour market, dialogue, co-operat…

28

Feb

2024

FI Speech

Watch

Financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2023 (debate)

Mr Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank, congratulations on your new mission and success in your work! The European Investment Bank is doing important work to boost growth, clean transition and new jobs. We will continue to need a well-resourced bank in the face of increased global competition. In addition to European innovation and support for European businesses, the impact i…

6

Feb

2024

FI Speech

Watch

The need for unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

Mr President, Russia's barbaric invasion of Ukraine continues. By its aggression, the Russian leadership has rejected all key commitments made by the country, thus falling outside the normal framework of European and international cooperation. The Ukrainian people are fighting a heroic battle not only for their right to self-determination, but also for the freedom of all European peoples. It is up…

5

Feb

2024

FI Speech

Watch

Instant payments in euro (debate)

Mr President, I am delighted that the regulation on payment transactions, which has been prepared in my own Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, is now about to be finally adopted. I would like to thank the Commission and Parliament's negotiating team as a whole, and in particular my good friend Marek Belka. You have done a good job of making life easier for citizens and making the benefits…

15

Jan

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Amendments to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) - Amendments to the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (MiFIR) (joint debate - Markets in financial instruments regulations)

Mr President, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Professor Hübner, and her team for leading the work on this important piece of legislation. This MiFID review is a key reform for two main reasons. Firstly, thanks to the newly created consolidated tape, investors will get clarity around where to find the best deal in the European Union. This is how a European market should work. Secondly, thanks…

22

Nov

2023

EN Speech

Watch

The unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger

Madam President, the imprisonment of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum is a blatant violation of all laws. His continued detention is not only personally inhumane, but also blocks dialogue towards a desperately needed resolution to the crisis. Since the military coup, the security and humanitarian situation in Niger has further deteriorated. Over 4 million people are now in dire need…

22

Nov

2023

EN Speech

Watch

Cyprus Confidential - need to curb enablers of sanctions-evasion and money-laundering rules in the EU (debate)

Mr President, Danske Bank, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and now the latest one, the Cyprus Confidential files. The list of money laundering scandals in the EU seems to be endless. Criminals, oligarchs and the super-rich continue to get help of our financial system and intermediaries to launder their money. And the fact is that especially Russian money is also a security threat to us. This has to s…

22

Nov

2023

EN Speech

Watch

Threat to rule of law as a consequence of the governmental agreement in Spain (debate)

Mr President, I’m really delighted that it seems that this Parliament really holds the rule of law in high regard, and I hope that all of us are ready to do it in every circumstances and in every situation. From history, we know that the rule of law also means the possibility of reconciliation for forgiveness and pardon. Here, I think of Nelson Mandela and his way of fostering national reconciliat…

22

Nov

2023

EN Speech

Watch

Reducing regulatory burden to unleash entrepreneurship and competitiveness (topical debate)

Madam President, this is an important debate. Nobody likes burden. On the other side, calling legal obligations to protect people or the environment a burden is more of an ideological statement. I fully understand some legal requirements are demanding, in particular for SMEs. And yes, we need to be more proportionate and ensure Member States can adjust more to national circumstances. At the same t…

21

Nov

2023

FI Speech

Watch

Recent developments at the EU’s external border between Finland and Russia and the need to uphold EU law (debate)

Mr President, Russia continues to act ruthlessly and to exert pressure on its neighbours. Now it is time for Finland, which is responsible for the EU's longest land border with Russia, more than 1,300 kilometres. The EU needs unity and determination. Russia transports asylum seekers and migrants to the border between Finland and Russia. The Russian Security Service (FSB) is active in attracting pe…

20

Nov

2023

EN Speech

Watch

Order of business

Madam President, really, it’s worrisome news what we have heard from the Finnish-Russian border. Russia’s actions at the border with Finland are completely unacceptable and are against international agreements. The Finnish-Russian border is really a long border – over 1 300 km – and it’s also an EU external border. Therefore, Russia is attempting to pressure not just one or two Member States, but …

16

Oct

2023

FI Speech

Watch

Establishing the Ukraine Facility (debate)

Mr President, the suffering of the Ukrainian people is incomprehensible. In 21st century Europe, Russia is attacking and trying to conquer its neighbours with armed forces. Europe must now stand united and provide all possible financial and other necessary support to Ukraine to restore Ukraine's sovereignty, rebuild Ukraine and enable a just peace. The proposal for a EUR 50 billion financial instr…

3

Oct

2023

FI Speech

Watch

Interim report on the proposal for a mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 (debate)

Mr President, the revision of the financial framework is really necessary alone to ensure that we can give all the necessary support to Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are fighting for their existence. Russia's aggression and the ongoing war are having a wide range of effects on the whole of Europe. EU border regions are among those affected by Russian activities: cross-border cooperation, trade and…

12

Sep

2023

FI Speech

Watch

Ukrainian grain exports after Russia’s exit from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (debate)

Mr President, by preventing the transport of grain from Ukraine, Russia has harnessed food as a political weapon. The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been instrumental in bringing Ukrainian cereals to the world market. With its decision to withdraw from the treaty, Russia cruelly deepens the global food crisis even further. Russia's decision hits the world's poorest countries, population groups tha…

12

Jul

2023

FI Speech

Watch

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular the recent developments in the war against Ukraine and in Russia (debate)

Mr President, the European Union has shown its strength and unity in resisting Russia's war of aggression and in supporting Ukraine. The decisions of the Heads of State should be welcomed in this respect. For the first time, the EU has also become a truly important actor in geopolitical terms. Ukraine's support and pressure from Russia will continue. While Russia's murderous campaign is causing ex…