What Liudas spoke about.

7

Feb

2024

Speeches LT

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Need to fight the increase of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. Today we are facing a painful reality: a new wave of antisemitism. Reports of hate-motivated incidents are a stunning reminder that history lessons have not been learned everywhere. The recent outbreak of violence in the Middle East has triggered a dangerous wave of anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks in several Member States. Lithuania, like many European nations, has scars of the past: Once a vibrant and inseparable part of our society – the Lithuanian Jewish community – faced systemic violence during World War II, culminating in the Holocaust. The ghettos and massacres have remained in Europe's collective memory as a vivid reminder of the devastating consequences of uncontrolled hatred. Unfortunately, the rise of antisemitism is not only a historical relic, but also a reality in Europe today. Rhetoric is not enough. To combat antisemitism, we must use political and legal means to prosecute hate crimes, both online and offline. This means investing in educational programmes that promote tolerance and understanding, and promoting dialogue and cooperation between different groups of communities. We must send a message to future generations that we are united in condemning all forms of antisemitism, like any other form of hatred. We must reaffirm our commitment to the fundamental principles of tolerance, respect and equality on which the European Union was founded.

5

Feb

2024

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State of EU solar industry in light of unfair competition (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. Solar energy is one of the critical levers to move away from fossil fuels in the fight against climate change. And the challenges of the European solar industry already today require urgent attention. Our industry is being attacked by imports from third countries entering the EU market at lower prices, fuelled by high subsidies. If China provides state support to its producers, it can hardly speak of fair competition. This is a threat to our renewable energy industry. In February 2023, we stressed in a European Parliament resolution the need to combat this unfair competition. Import restrictions do not seem to be a guaranteed solution, so immediate support for equipment manufacturers has to be considered. The industrial strategy of the European Union must specifically speed up and simplify financing through various channels for local producers, including private financing, state aid, European Union funds and the new European Sovereignty Fund, and these instruments must be leveraged to promote the purchase of local materials or components. China's influence is at the heart of today's problem, hampering Europe's ambition to become a fast-growing green energy market. What it means to give a monopoly to China in any separately taken area, we have already seen at the beginning of the pandemic. We no longer have the right to repeat those mistakes.

16

Jan

2024

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Role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future? (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia became its legal successor, giving it a triple legacy: one of the largest military-industrial complexes in the world; veto power in the United Nations Security Council, role in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe; well, and the right to simultaneously incite local conflicts, and to portray themselves as their mediator. We are discussing the pursuit of preventive diplomacy, and let us ask what we, the European Parliament in this term, have achieved so far? Only sincerely angry. The Karabakh conflict was programmed by Stalin, and UN observers entered the conflict area only after ethnic Armenians, who had lived there for centuries, were forced to flee it en masse in 2023. Who was the mediator? Russia: The territories of Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are de facto manipulated by the Russians under our helpless watch. And when, if not during our term of office, were the areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson subjugated by military force, de facto annexed, and reinforced by pseudo-referenda? This has become a standard and very ‘resulting’ Russian behaviour, rejecting any diplomacy. It recognizes only strength, and we must strive to apply deterrence and prevention measures even before new conflicts begin and pay constant attention to the post-Soviet space.

12

Dec

2023

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Environmental consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the need for accountability (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. Despite Russia's ongoing war of aggression, the democratic government of Ukraine is deliberately and sincerely preparing for negotiations on membership of the European Union, preparing to transpose European environmental law into national law. However, the environmental damage caused by Russia's war is increasing every day. At the very least, it is estimated at $60 billion. Mine fields, pollution from the destruction of energy infrastructure, the destruction of pesticide warehouses, the bombing of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and irreversible damage to biodiversity, polluted air, water, soil, and the ever-increasing threat of nuclear power plant accidents. It is not possible to quickly cumulate only types of damage, but it will be necessary to find ways to remedy it. This is not an ‘accidental’ consequence of the war, but an intentional crime. Russia will be obliged to compensate for all the damage caused, and its actions, among other things, must be subject to the term ecocide.

12

Dec

2023

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Parliament’s call for the right to disconnect - three years on (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. In the three years since the adoption of the European Parliament's resolution on the right to disconnect, the arguments that legislation on this issue is necessary have only intensified. The application of teleworking has expanded, it has become routine. In addition to the advantages that this brings, it is necessary to take into account the problems posed and to offer legal frameworks to address them. On the one hand, teleworking provides a great deal of flexibility for both employers and workers in the design and execution of tasks. On the other hand, employers' expectation that an employee will be available at any time is established, which often, and in some cases systematically, leads to violations of workers' rights, affects their personal lives and can have a negative impact on their health. Precisely recording working time is not easy, and it is also difficult to regulate legally. This would increase the bureaucratic burden. However, a clear line between private and working life must be drawn. I believe that setting limits to working time, while leaving some flexibility, ultimately has a positive impact on both employee well-being and work discipline and leads to a positive end result. In my opinion, therefore, the Commission should immediately initiate legislation laying down minimum obligations throughout the European Union with regard to teleworking and the right of workers to disconnect.

12

Dec

2023

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EU-Taiwan trade and investment relations (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. In support of the removal of trade barriers between the EU and Taiwan and the promotion of investment, I would emphasise a number of arguments. First of all, the value: Taiwan is a democracy, especially one of the few in the region, which determines the geopolitical partnership between the European Union and Taiwan. In the face of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, Taiwan is committed to supporting Ukraine and intends to coordinate sanctions against Russia. I also stress the ambition to develop cooperation for economic security by securing strategically important materials and technology chains. In the fight against economic coercion, Taiwan has already entered history. When Lithuania, which I represent, opened a Taiwanese representation, we were attacked by a country we call ‘One China’. Lithuania then stepped up its economic cooperation with Taiwan. And by adopting the regulation on protection against economic coercion, we have sent a credible deterrence signal to China and the rest of the world for the future. I am therefore in favour of concluding formal bilateral agreements on trade and investment, including on security, and of continuing to support Taiwan in seeking representation in multilateral international fora. And my colleague, Iuliu, thank you for a well-drafted resolution.

17

Oct

2023

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Effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. We discussed sanctions against Russia in the autumn of 2021, when it gathered its army of hundreds of thousands around Ukraine's borders and we were, oh, brave. If it engages in aggression, we will disconnect Russia from the SWIFT system. I myself, as it seemed to me, spoke quite gently, the braver ones saw Russia economically brought down, its financial system ruined, the crowds hungry in the streets and the collapse of the Kremlin regime. In the meantime, we have imposed sanctions packages, indeed bans on our own businesses. In reality, this did not prevent Russia from daily armaments, smashing peaceful Ukrainians, investing in Africa and much more. My constituents asked me how much more the single market would be open to Russian actors, or maybe that bolder scenario would work. When? Advise me. Thank you.

3

Oct

2023

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Uzbekistan (debate)

. – Thank you, President, Commissioner, colleagues. Today's geopolitical context makes it necessary to reflect on the choice of strategic partners. With Russia's escalation of its war of aggression, illegal war in Ukraine, the Central Asian region is gaining additional importance. Uzbekistan is a key country in the region seeking to diversify its economic and trade dependence on Russia. I therefore welcome the conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the granting of the GSP Plus. Positive actions by the Uzbek government can be noted, such as regional water diplomacy, the fight against illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism. Europe can and does help Uzbekistan on the path of reform and provide technical assistance, including in the context of the green transition. At the same time, it must not be forgotten that corruption flourishes there, media freedom is restricted, political pluralism is lacking, and there are serious human rights violations. Of particular concern is the well-founded speculation that sanctions against Russia are not being circumvented through countries in the Central Asia region. As a precautionary measure, I support the report, stressing that the situation in Central Asia is changing and that the dynamics of development must be monitored with particular attention.

3

Oct

2023

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Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia (debate)

Dear President. The Nagorno-Karabakh problem is one of the so-called post-Soviet frozen conflicts. Similar to Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transnistria, now Lugansk, Donetsk and others. Karabakh was not only a post-Soviet bomb of the delayed decay of the USSR, but also a geopolitical bomb programmed by Stalin long ago. When thousands of intimidated ethnic Armenians left their homes a few days ago, a UN mission finally entered after thirty years of simmering and bleeding conflict. I would argue that this is not even the limitation of the international order, but the complete non-existence of that order. After all, we silently and helplessly recognized the right of Russia to de facto manipulate that territory, to carry out aggression in Ukraine and to act as a peacemaker in the South Caucasus. Here is the result. We must, at least now, actively prevent a further deterioration of the situation.

2

Oct

2023

Speeches LT

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Economic coercion by third countries (debate)

Thank you President, Commissioner, colleagues. In 2021, Lithuania took a bold step by opening a Taiwanese representation in its capital, Vilnius. It was proof of our commitment to the principles that unite us as members of the European Union. Our actions were driven by the desire to protect our values, including democracy, human rights, the rule of law, integrity. Taiwan, like the European Union, adheres to these principles and we have shown solidarity. But that's just one argument. We knew that such a move would not go unnoticed. China reacted quickly with diplomatic protests and economic pressure, which is what the instrument we are discussing today is designed to prevent. We are well aware that the opening of the Taiwanese representative office was only a formal pretext. The real reason was another. Lithuania opposed China's 17+1 format of relations with Central Eastern European countries. What's wrong with the 27+1 format? It is important for the European Union to have an instrument to deter third countries from exerting their economic influence with the aim of influencing political decisions in the Member States and preventing them from dividing the European Union by targeting individual Member States or groups of Member States. It is particularly important that the range of specific countermeasures identified refers to restrictions related to trade and services, foreign direct investment. The country identified as coercive will also not be able to participate in EU-funded research programmes and access to EU public procurement capital markets will be restricted. These concrete measures will have real weight and make third countries think or is it worth the economic pressure? This included measures to remedy the harm caused by coercion to a Member State, if so requested. This means that attempting economic coercion against one country will be an attack on the entire single market, thus defending its interests and values on the international stage.

11

Jul

2023

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COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues. The COVID experience has given us a sense of how much can be done and overcome together. The pandemic has boosted broader thinking, not only by sharing vaccines in solidarity, but also by rethinking the importance of joint research, registries, databases, and not only in the area of communicable diseases, we have coined the concept of a European Health Union. It is regrettable that the steps towards that Health Union are being made too small and too slow. The fruits of scientific progress - unlike vaccines, modern treatments for chronic diseases - are not available to all Europeans, there is a clear divide between East and West, because treatment is simply inaccessible due to its high cost. We aim to achieve the goal individually - within a couple of years Lithuania has implemented a hepatitis C prevention programme, every second adult in Lithuania has already been tested, by the way, and I personally - why wouldn't this happen on a pan-European scale? I therefore look forward not only to the assessment of the COVID experience, but also to broader, decisive initiatives.

14

Jun

2023

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Torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation

President, colleagues, we are talking about the torture and criminal prosecution of two Ukrainian teenagers accused of ‘sabotage planning’ by Russian occupiers. In doing so, Russia is violating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the Convention on Torture. Such actions are not accidental, it is a certain thoughtful component of Russia's mastered strategy of systemic stigmatization, intimidation. We therefore rightly demand not only the immediate release of these two detainees, but also an end to the so-called ‘re-education’ of other minors, including illegal adoptions. All these are clearly planned and systematically organized actions of state policy. Among other things, such actions involve not only the Russian regime, but also today's, present-day, Belarusian regime. Both European institutions and global organisations must therefore take all available legal measures to prevent the criminal actions of these regimes.

13

Jun

2023

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Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community (debate)

Dear President. By blowing up the Kakhovka dam, Russia committed an inhumane, immoral, criminal act. With such and similar actions, Russia has long gone beyond any limits of common sense. Peaceful people are forced to live in flooded areas without many vital resources. Water, the shortage of which is widely spoken of by the United Nations, and whose supply to Ukraine was already in trouble before the start of Russia's criminal war, was released into the Black Sea, flooding vast areas of land along the way. The water supply to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is also disrupted, the possibility of an accident is even higher, grain yields will decrease, and when water subsides, harmful sludge and loads remain. And we can only assume how many billions of damage has been done to nature. There is a massive plague of fish, birds and fauna. This is true of the term ecocide, the scale of which has not been seen in Europe for decades. For this, Russia bears a heavy burden of responsibility.

1

Jun

2023

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Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation - Election integrity and resilience build-up towards European elections 2024 (debate)

President, Vice-President, colleagues. The need to strengthen the EU’s resilience is a word that we have not stopped using in different contexts in recent years. The real war that is taking place as a result of Russia’s appalling actions in Ukraine has further reinforced the need to increase our resilience. This includes resistance to foreign interference in democratic processes in the EU. A further escalation of malicious behaviour is likely in 2024, ahead of the upcoming European elections. I hope that the responsible authorities and the EU Member States will take the recommendations contained in the INGE and INGE2 resolutions seriously and implement them responsibly as soon as possible. While we are still discussing how to act, hostile states such as Russia are already taking real action in Europe to the detriment of our democracies. The EU response to date is clearly insufficient.

10

May

2023

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Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka

. – Mr President, Lukashenko continues his personal war against his people. Belarus has been transformed into a country of camps where an increasing number of political prisoners are being held. There is a court conveyor: Appointed judges sentence political activists to a physical crackdown. We must first of all demand that it is the judges – and their names and faces are known – who are brought to universal jurisdiction as criminals. The case of Viktar Babaryka, we know him, and there are another one and a half thousand such cases: Nobel laureates, human rights activists, journalists and even minors are imprisoned. Illegal arrests, regular torture, failure to provide the necessary medical care are a system. Hospitalization of Babaryka and other representatives of the opposition from violent injuries shows this particularly vividly. The European Union must therefore continue to systematically expand individual sanctions against the Minsk regime officials, including judges, and impose sanctions on the Belarusian regime that are no weaker than those we impose on Russia.

20

Apr

2023

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EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods (debate)

President-in-Office, Commissioner, colleagues, as a collector, I know that even legal trade in cultural goods generates increasing profits for traders. Unfortunately, illegal trade is also on the rise, despite efforts to limit it. And one can only imagine the deep pain of forcing entire nations to helplessly watch their cultural heritage looted. In the context of Russia's barbaric war in Ukraine, the looting of cultural goods is not only an audacious attempt by criminals to profit quickly, but also an attempt to destroy Ukrainian identity and culture. This is one of the reasons why we say that this is not only a war crime, but also true terrorism. Such actions destroy not only the identity of the nation, the state, but also the identity of the whole of Europe, the whole civilized world. I hope that the European Parliament resolution of 20 October 2022 on cultural solidarity with Ukraine will not be limited to us. The Action Plan against illicit trafficking in cultural goods must lead to coherent and uninterrupted action and propose real solutions to put an end to criminal trafficking in cultural heritage goods and to identify and bring to real responsibility the perpetrators.

19

Apr

2023

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EU Global Health Strategy (debate)

President-in-Office, Commissioner, colleagues, the European Union's Global Health Strategy, which has been in place for over ten years, has come to be updated. Since then, we have experienced a number of shocks and losses: The COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of cancer and other chronic diseases have prompted us to step up our action on health. The European Union has shown leadership during the pandemic, but the challenges are not diminishing. I support the focus of this strategy on factors for better health such as digitalisation, research, strengthening of competences and, in particular, the importance of health registers and the need for the exchange of health data. Innovative therapies and diagnostics need to be developed, including the development of new vaccines. Everyone deserves better access to the health services they need, and it is to be welcomed that the new strategy also focuses on international cooperation. Global action is desirable, but perhaps we should first reduce the divide between Eastern and Western countries in Europe itself. After all, European citizens still have unequal access to treatments and medicines. The European Health Union must therefore take a more realistic form, based on appropriate resources.

17

Apr

2023

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Deforestation Regulation (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. Forest degradation is a growing, global problem, and without a solution we will hardly manage biodiversity loss and climate change. We are making consistent efforts in Europe in that fight, and we cannot afford that commodities on the European Union market contribute to deforestation, whether in the European Union or anywhere else in the world. In this way, I hope that this week we will finally conclude the votes on the regulation on combating deforestation. It should develop real tools to combat deforestation, forest degradation and forest conversion. This is also the case for our trading partner countries where forests are particularly vulnerable, such as the Amazon forests in Brazil. However, the new requirements must be easy to implement so as not to create significant additional administrative burdens for European businesses. For example, the geographical coordinates requirement should be accompanied by the necessary technical and financial support and clear guidance on how to do so. I also hope that, once the regulation is implemented, the list of goods requiring strict due diligence will be expanded, if necessary. European producers must be guaranteed competitiveness and consumers must have the right to know if the goods they use do not contribute to deforestation.

14

Mar

2023

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Situation in Georgia (debate)

President-in-Office, Commissioner, colleagues, the Kremlin is conducting a war, including a hybrid war. I have no doubt that this tension between Georgia and the European Union is also artificial. It does not lead to a constructive outcome for either side. Georgia, despite all the current challenges, wants to be part of the European Union, and the people also support NATO membership. The proposed controversial bill has been put on hold, and the dialogue between the authorities and citizens is happening, albeit at a very difficult cost, but it is happening, and further escalation would only benefit Russia. We, the European Union, must give Georgia more than an abstract European perspective. More financial and technical assistance is already needed to counter new waves of destabilisation and thus propaganda. And how to deal with the influence of foreign agents – I mean Russian spies in particular – we have also discussed this House on several occasions, so it would be worth doing this effectively not only in Georgia, but also in each of the countries of the current European Union. (The speaker refused to listen to Mick Wallace's reply under the blue card procedure)

17

Jan

2023

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The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

Mr President, to paraphrase the well-known writers: Crimes are similar to each other and must be punished. Whether it was carried out by a private terrorist or an international actor, they are similar in one and the same way. Criminals are always afraid. The main feature of Russia’s aggressive war in Ukraine is that the aggressor is timid. Russia fears being bound by international agreements on a fair and equitable trial. You probably know better than us what kind of atrocity you've pushed yourself into. It has therefore not ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in order to evade its responsibility; Demonstrate impunity in the United Nations Security Council. In this way, Russia opens its hands to barbaric, difficult-to-understand actions. This resolution is therefore necessary. It will send an important message to like-minded people and to all people of good will in the world. As for Belarus: We remind the batka that the making of a placdarma for terrorist acts is also a terrorist act.

14

Dec

2022

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Defending democracy from foreign interference (debate)

Thank you, President. Interference by third countries in European democratic processes is obvious and sufficiently effective. The thematic spaces in which foreign countries illegally seek to influence Europe are wide and widening, from spreading disinformation during the Kovid-19 pandemic to propaganda and distortion of facts due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Undoubted and direct interference by Russia and other third countries in political and public campaigns. Propaganda and impermissible foreign interference have been repeatedly talked about as quickly as possible and functioning instruments. The defence of democracy package is still a success in the future. However, stronger measures need to be taken quickly. Investing in awareness raising. To educate the public, to apply immediately already existing legal instruments, which have been mentioned several times. There are still existing media outlets justifying Russia's actions, after all, we have declared it a state sponsor of terrorism. So let's be consistent, let's uncover the sources of funding and close those channels. And the responsibility of the Kremlin's friends. All citizens of the European Union serving foreign entities for illegal gain and political movements financed by such entities must be identified, made public and stopped.

13

Dec

2022

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Annual implementing report on the EU association agreement with Georgia (debate)

Mr President, I repeat what I have already said here. The European Union is getting tired of enlargement policy. A regular example is the exclusion of Georgia from candidate status. According to the survey, 75%. The people of Georgia are in favour of European integration. Such figures are not even visible in many of the European Union’s old-timers. Since 2016, Georgia has made considerable efforts to carry out the economic, human rights and anti-corruption reforms provided for in the Association Agreement and has been at the forefront of the Eastern Partnership. Following the start of Russia’s aggressive war in Ukraine, Georgia applied for membership of the European Union on 3 March. However, all that has been received is the European perspective recognised in June this year. Too little positive news. And sending positive signals from Europe to Georgia's internal democratic development is crucial. As we burden it and other countries with new work to be done, let us rethink whether we will really expand the circle of friends in this way, whether we are not worsening our attitude towards ourselves or increasing Euroscepticism? Political commitments to each other must always be bilateral. By rightly demanding progress from others, we must also progress ourselves, sending a clearer, positive message to Georgia. Of course, I am joining those who have spoken here about President Saakashvili.

23

Nov

2022

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Amending Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 - Amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 as regards the establishment of a diversified funding strategy as a general borrowing method - 'Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023 (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, as Russia continues its war of aggression in Ukraine, there are no longer any doubts about the long-term need for substantial and sustained financial support in Ukraine. Moreover, as Russia continues to destroy Ukraine's critical infrastructure in a barbaric and targeted manner, we are not even approaching the issue of rebuilding the country, but only maintaining at least minimal vital needs. I therefore consider the MFA instrument to be welcome, necessary. I hope that all the necessary steps will not only be taken urgently, which is now most needed, but that a permanent structure will be found to ensure stable financial support. Of course, support should go hand in hand with an assessment of transparency, which would not only help Ukraine to further strengthen the rule of law, good governance, but also encourage as many international partners as possible to contribute to the support. We need to maintain our unity and not stop our support, both financially and humanitarianly, not forgetting also the military, because only in this way will we be able to resist the terror perpetrated by Russia.

22

Nov

2022

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New EU strategy for enlargement (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues. A long time ago, almost since the great expansion of 2004, there has been talk of development fatigue. I would now state that there is fatigue from ‘development’. The whole arsenal of inventive signals sent to countries on the margins of Europe that you are "coming closer", but "still stay" in candidate status, is probably already exhausted. The patience of the world is not limitless, and then we wonder why the world is becoming Eurosceptic, gravitational towards such dangerous players as Russia or China. Granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova was a positive step, a clearer perspective needs to be given to Georgia, and most importantly, there is a lack of momentum in giving them access to the single market, not limited to political but effective financial support, through the IPA instrument, proposing economic and investment plans based on the digital and sustainable transition, innovation. Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is not an argument for postponing the enlargement process, but, on the contrary, forcing the enlargement policy to be renewed, made more flexible and dynamic.

21

Nov

2022

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Prevention, management and better care of diabetes in the EU on the occasion of World Diabetes Day (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues. World Diabetes Day reminds us of what we haven't done or haven't done enough to fight diabetes, just like other chronic diseases. On the other hand, schemes to combat them are indeed similar: from reducing the impact of healthy lifestyles and risk factors to harmonising the quality of care across countries. Already in 2012, the European Parliament proposed a strategy to combat diabetes, and in the meantime, the number of people with diabetes has only increased. Diabetes is linked to other chronic diseases, COVID-19 is a complicating disease, and obesity is an important key factor. I believe that the exchange of good practices is not enough. I would emphasise European prevention programmes, early diagnosis, the establishment of national registries and a common European register. The topic of obesity needs to be more widely included in the Horizon programme. And in Europe, I think it's time to declare an obesity epidemic. Don't wait until another pandemic hits us. Talking about the European Health Union will not be just a commemorative event.