Speeches

The independent court proved that the detention of the leader of the opposition in Bulgaria, Boyko Borisov, was absolutely illegal. Personally, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov was the initiator of this illegal act, and his executor became Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov, a former communist investigator and Socialist Party MP. At the same time, illegal arrests and police interrogations of hundreds of citizens have taken place in the country just because they are supporters of opposition parties. This is a serious precedent for a member state of the European Union. Meanwhile, it became clear that with their illegal actions, Prime Minister Petkov and Minister Rashkov aimed to create in society an atmosphere of fear of power. Petkov continues to repeat today that if he returns to power, he will arrest Borisov again. But that's what happened under the communist regime in my country. That is why we must condemn all attempts to restore the methods and practices of governance characteristic of this regime. It is our duty to protect democracy and the rule of law.

Madam President, Mr Borrell, all frozen Russian assets must be used to compensate for the damage done to Ukraine. It is necessary to use the so-called countermeasure instrument, which allows the seizure of frozen assets through national legislative and executive acts. The Council proposes to transfer income from Russian assets to Ukraine. But they are less than 3 billion euros per year, while currently the documented damage to Ukraine is estimated at 400 billion euros. Will we rebuild Ukraine for a century? And now attention. In Bulgaria, on the shore of the beautiful Black Sea, i.e. on the European border, there is a territory of nearly 470,000 square meters, which is entirely owned by the City Hall of Moscow. It's bigger than the Vatican. The Russian capital acquired this property nearly 20 years ago and gradually built on it a center to promote its interests in Europe. Sergey Lavrov described this Russian base as an ‘ideal model’ of the Russian ‘soft power’ that underpins the ‘Russian World’ concept. And this is the concept that today is Russia's argument for aggression against Ukraine. I propose that the Commission hold meetings with the Bulgarian government without delay and that a nationally responsible decision be taken as soon as possible to withdraw this Russian asset. There should be no Russian bases on the territory of our European Union.

Madam President, Russiagate is a reality. In Bulgaria, we find disinformation, attempts to falsify history and to register and fund pro-Kremlin parties and confrontation in society before elections. Russian agents are infiltrated in institutions, in the media, in civil organizations, in the military and security services, in banks and companies in the energy sector, in universities. Russian agents call the war against Russia a conflict. They talk about peace through territorial concessions by Ukraine. According to them, support for Ukraine is getting into a war, they are sabotaging the provision of military aid. They also argue that our Union is falling apart, that by being a member of it, states lose their national sovereignty and always add that European values are alien to traditional national values. But unfortunately, I have heard such political ones in this room too, so it has long been time for a pan-European strategy and action to stop Russian agent actions in Europe. And let us thank the Bulgarian investigative journalist Hristo Grozev for his publication on the activities of MEP Tatiana Ždanoka.

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. - Mr President, I welcome the agreement reached in the Council to continue Ukraine's solid support in all areas. This unity and this determination must be maintained until the complete expulsion of the Russian aggressors. More sanctions and unwavering active action are needed. Russia must experience all the horror of the war that has begun. It should be placed in complete isolation. Maybe it's time to break off diplomatic relations. According to the Vienna Convention, this relationship presupposes friendship and cooperation, but with Putin's Russia we cannot have a relationship of friendship and cooperation, because we are not Orban. In interstate relations, in addition to interests, there must also be morality, principles and values. Glory to Ukraine!

Madam President, without preventive diplomacy, no diplomacy is possible. It protects against fatal mistakes. A contribution to Ms Zovko's report is the thesis on the need to improve our understanding of the local, historical, political, religious and cultural context in order to prevent conflicts and build trust. Our experience with the Minsk agreements, for example, has proven that we do not understand the aggressive Russian national psychology and the purpose of today's Kremlin political doctrine, and the war is escalating. The success of preventive diplomacy in the Middle East will depend on knowledge of the historical-religious contexts and national psychology in the region. Preventive diplomacy is also needed for enlargement policy. It should help, for example, Macedonian society to overcome hate speech against Bulgaria and Macedonian Bulgarians, a dangerous legacy of the communist period. For this purpose, one should know the truth about the centuries-old Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage in this country. Preventive diplomacy must not allow modern politics to be carried out on the basis of retrograde views.

All people are equal, but some peoples have their own state, their own nation-state, and many other peoples live in multinational states. And while this people, the Palestinian people, lets in food, dresses, helps terrorist organizations, it makes no sense, it is not moral, it is not civil, it is not European, it is not humane to have its own state.

Mr President, we must help Israel destroy Hamas. The humanitarian truce and the release of the hostages are only an element of this task. Peaceful civilians were summoned and had sufficient time to leave the territory of hostilities. Why didn't they? Who stopped them? There are no peace talks with terrorists. Once upon a time, the Nazis hid their crimes. Today, Palestinians are openly happy and proud of the killings carried out by Hamas. They are not protesting against Hamas, so the problem is not whether they should have their own state, but what it will be like. It should not be a terrorist. The Palestinians had the opportunity to make Gaza an attractive place for tourism, business, and life, but instead they dug tunnels and sowed death. There are many peoples in the world who do not have their own nation-state. How do Palestinians deserve to have such a state? (The speaker agreed to answer a Blue Card question)

Mr President, Mr Borrell, let us congratulate Israel on its efforts to release the hostages. But let it be clear that as long as Hamas exists, the humanitarian catastrophe will continue and there will be no peace. There is only one solution: the destruction of Hamas, Hezbollah and all other terrorist organisations in the region. As far as the civilian population in Gaza is concerned, it is clearly not so peaceful when its men become terrorists. This population clearly supports Hamas. New sanctions are needed against countries that support terrorism in the region. First of all, Iran, but let's not forget about Russia. There must be peace and a Palestinian state when there will be no Palestinian terrorism. Free Palestine means free from Hamas.

Mr President, active support for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova is needed. The biggest obstacle is Russia. That is why we must strongly support the decisions of the government and President Maia Sandu to refuse cooperation with Russia in all areas. We need to impose new sanctions on individuals and organisations that serve Russian interests. The citizens of Moldova should feel the advantages of their European choice throughout the European integration process. Every day, month and year of their lives should become truly European. Conversely, pro-Russian separatists and their manipulated citizens in Transnistria must experience all the negatives of their decision to be with Putin's Russia.

Mr President, for 30 years now, the basis of the conflict and the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh has been the insurmountable Soviet legacy and nationalism. The Armenian policy of engagement with Putin's Russia was erroneous. Azerbaijan's policy of engagement with Turkey and Erdogan's policy of engagement with Russia is also wrong. Nagorno-Karabakh is an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan, but its Armenian population must be guaranteed security and a normal life. Armenians must return to their homelands. The government of Armenia should be encouraged to pursue a pro-European, not pro-Russian, policy. Sanctions should be imposed on Azerbaijan.

Madam President, in times of war, it is not trade gains that are pursued, but victory. The European market must remain open to Ukrainian goods. This is part of our European winning strategy. I call on the countries that have introduced a ban on the import of Ukrainian grain to immediately reverse this decision. I am sure that Bulgaria will, but the Commission must control the transit of Ukrainian grain, invest in infrastructure and continue to support grain producers. It is not normal for Ukrainian grain for Africa to remain on the European market. Transport across the Black Sea also needs to be guaranteed and protected. In this emergency situation, decisions must be extraordinary. It's a war! A la guerre comme à la guerre!

Mr President, the post-war reconstruction of Western Europe began with denazification and decommunisation. For the reconstruction of Ukraine to be successful, it is necessary to derussise this country. The billions that will be invested in it should not reach Russian companies or persons connected to Russia. No new Schroeder should appear in Europe. At the same time, we need to find the tools to force Russia to pay the price for the aggression. The process of rebuilding Ukraine must assume that for a long time to come it will lead to a cold war with Russia, to the blockade and isolation of Russia in all spheres. And something very important, the experience of the processes of enlargement of the European Union has clearly shown that accession to NATO must precede membership in the European Union, because membership in the Alliance means a guarantee of security, and without security there is no real... (President takes the speaker's floor)

Madam President, Russia's military aggression has become possible because Russian society has existed for decades in the face of disinformation. At the heart of this misinformation is the still strong communist interpretation of history. But we see the same today in some Western Balkan countries that are candidates for membership. For example, Skopje's discriminatory policy towards Bulgarians in this country and the anti-Bulgarian policy of North Macedonia in general is the result of decades of disinformation communist propaganda. At the same time, the main reason for the political crisis and destabilization in Bulgaria in the last two years is the Russian penetration into the Bulgarian political, economic and cultural elite. At this moment, the Bulgarian President is not a unifier of the nation, but a factor of destabilization of Bulgaria. Russia's hybrid war against Bulgaria and Europe continues. This is dangerous.

Mr President, there are many crimes committed by the Kremlin regime, but the war crime we are discussing – the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and their forcible russification – is the peak of anti-humanity and human rights violations. It is comparable only to the crimes of Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong. The decision of the court in The Hague to issue a life warrant for the arrest of President Putin must be implemented by all European countries. After this decision, Vladimir Putin can only enter the European Union on his way to The Hague. This decision is late, but it is fair. It is a moral victory for the brave Ukrainian people. The arrest warrant for the Russian president is also a warning to all other dictators and aggressors around the world.

Mr President, it would be a strategic mistake if our relations with China were viewed only through the prism of trade and economic interests. We must not forget about human rights and democracy. Strategic autonomy from the United States is a dangerous issue. The Chinese regime is a threat to both the United States and Europe, and this threat is a reality. Communists are determined to annex Taiwan in a violent way, using Russia's example of Ukraine. The doctrine of a unified China means the liquidation of democratic Taiwan. We must not allow division of the Western world, because if business succeeds, but democracy suffers, it will mean a crisis of our values and of the European way of life.

Mr President, transatlantic relations, Mr Borrell, must ensure regional and global security. An instrument of such security is NATO membership. That's my question. We want to accept new countries into the European Union, but shouldn't these countries first become members of NATO? Until now, all the countries of the former communist bloc that were admitted to the European Union had previously become members of NATO. And my question is specifically about the Republic of Serbia, which is currently the country that forms Russian influence in the Western Balkans region and whose policies destabilize neighbouring countries such as North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO membership as a security instrument in transatlantic relations.

Mr President, what have we learned this year? First, military aid, when given on time, is more necessary for peace than diplomacy. Second, peace is only possible after the last Russian aggressor leaves Ukrainian soil. Third, whoever is talking about peace at the height of the war today is actually helping Putin. Fourth, Mr. Borrell, you spoke convincingly today, but that was the way you should have spoken a year ago in Moscow. The moral is that peace is impossible while Putin is in the Kremlin. Finally, I hope that there will be worthy MPs in the Bulgarian Parliament who will demand the impeachment of the pro-Russian Bulgarian President.

Commissioner, I am pleased with your answer, but in this regard, the last thing you said about common history makes me ask you once again the question: Do you have information, in particular, from the government of North Macedonia whether a process of changing the content of textbooks in the education system has started? And in them the Bulgarians should no longer be taught as enemies, fascists, barbarians, Tatars and other lies that have been instilled, I repeat, for decades by the authorities, the media and interested circles in this country. Do Macedonians change their history textbooks, respectively, with the scientific, generally accepted scientific truth from all over Europe?

Mr President, Commissioner, in North Macedonia, a new phase has moved from hate speech to hate-motivated actions. And I remind you of the basics of the Copenhagen criteria: respect for human rights. You are absolutely aware that for decades the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia have been violated. Fragrantly violated, murderously violated. The latest incidents are known to you: attempted murder, stopping the free passage of Bulgarians across the border and others. My specific question is: Will you take action on the latest incident at the border? And secondly, will North Macedonia change and when its constitution so as to give Bulgarians rights in it?

Madam President, victory will come with the power of arms, and justice will come with the creation of an international tribunal. It must be presided over by the politicians who planned and ordered the aggression against Ukraine, as well as by the military – generals, officers and soldiers who committed the specific crimes on Ukrainian territory. They must be brought before this court, and the first to stand before it is Vladimir Putin. In this case, our democratic will is important, our conviction that in the modern world crimes such as Russian ones in Ukraine today cannot go unpunished. If there is a will, there will be justice.

Madam President, our Union's response to the Dnipro attack must be swift and firm. We have been delayed for years in responding firmly to Russia, and this is the reason today for the tragedy in Ukraine. Ukraine must receive weapons with which not only to deter aggressors on its territory, not only to defend itself, but also to strike targets on Russian territory. Not only in sports, but also in times of war, attack is the best defense. It's time for the Russians to experience the horror of war. And the sanctions we are introducing must be strengthened, but also effectively enforced by the Member States.

Mr President, honourable Mr Borrell, I have asked for the floor to support the report by colleague McAllister, and I would particularly like to emphasise the strong support in this report for NATO's open-door policy and the increase in European military personnel in the Black Sea. I find it particularly important that the report stresses the importance of closer transatlantic cooperation, because it is very important in the future not to allow the doctrine of European strategic autonomy to be implemented in plans for strategic distancing from the United States. This would be an invaluable gift to regimes such as the Russian and Chinese, as well as to a number of other dictatorial regimes. Therefore, in order not to have such gifts, it is really necessary to cooperate more closely with the United States in the field of security and defense.

Madam President, I appeal from the European Parliament to the deputies of the Bulgarian Parliament, the President and the Government of my country, Bulgaria, and I call on them to recognise the Holodomor in Ukraine as genocide and a crime against humanity perpetrated by the criminal Soviet Communist Party. I also call on them to stop participating in the Kremlin scenario of destabilization of Bulgaria. It is long time to be declared persona non grata the ambassador of Russia in Bulgaria, which interferes in the internal affairs of my country. It is long time to remove all Soviet and communist monuments that humiliate the dignity of the Bulgarian people. Today, Russia is again carrying out terror and genocide in Ukraine. Bow to the millions of victims of the Holodomor! Glory to Ukraine!

Mr President, I am not surprised by Austria's decision. Four years ago, the Austrian foreign minister danced a waltz with Vladimir Putin and then became a member of the board of directors of Russian energy giant Rosneft. Leaving Bulgaria and Romania out of Schengen serves the Kremlin regime's policy of dividing the European Union. I allow myself to say that migrants in Austria are a smaller problem than the capital of Russian oligarchs in this country. And the decision of the Netherlands is unprincipled because it is dictated by narrow party interests. I expect Austria and the Netherlands to apologise to the Bulgarian people. The external border of Schengen will be better guarded when Bulgaria is a member of Schengen.

Madam President, Commissioner, Mr Picula, the report is convincing in general terms, but unfortunately it is unconvincing in a number of details. The idea of abolishing unanimity in decision-making on enlargement policy is highly controversial. A family member is by common accord. Is it not clear that Serbia behaves like a second Russian state in the Balkans? The report talks about bilateral disputes, but the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia are not a bilateral issue, but a European one. Human rights are a common European value. This country promised to enshrine the Bulgarians in its constitution, but instead the communist interpretation of the past continues to be its official policy. The main language is hatred against European Bulgaria. The contract with Bulgaria is not being implemented. That is why I call you: Let's dream, but let's be realistic.