What Miriam spoke about.

14

Mar

2024

SK Speech

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Inclusion of the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (debate)

Mr President, horrified, outraged and disappointed. The fundamental human right is the right to life, and the fundamental pillar of our free civilization is freedom of thought, conscience and religion, not the so-called right to abortion. At the same time, we are all well aware that cultural ethical issues fall within the exclusive competence of the Member States. I reject this gross undermining o…

13

Mar

2024

SK Speech

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Artificial Intelligence Act (A9-0188/2023 - Brando Benifei, Dragoş Tudorache)

Mr President, I supported the AI Act from the outset. It represents a huge success and a fundamental step in the adaptation of this fast-paced technology. My main priority for the negotiations on the regulation was a strong human-centric approach. Artificial intelligence must always be focused on man, his good and the protection of his dignity and rights. It must simply be a good servant and not a…

13

Mar

2024

SK Speech

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European Media Freedom Act (A9-0264/2023 - Sabine Verheyen)

Mr President, did you not hear me before? Thank you very much. The protection of journalists and media freedom are increasingly pressing issues, not only in the context of escalating attacks and pressure against the media, but also, for example, the Slovak government's attempts to curtail media freedom. Clear rules must therefore be put in place to protect journalists and their sources. I also app…

28

Feb

2024

SK Speech

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Deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement (debate)

Madam President, the enlargement of the European Union is widely regarded as one of the greatest geopolitical achievements and in our strategic and security interests. However, I cannot agree with the one-sided narrative, which assumes that future enlargement can only be successful if it is accompanied by a change in the basic treaties and the abolition of the right of veto in certain policies. No…

27

Feb

2024

SK Speech

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Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia (debate)

Mr President, I welcome this debate because it is time for us to speak a few hard truths. The fact is that the EU's policy towards the South Caucasus can best be characterised as a policy of diplomatic neglect and strategic failure. When Azerbaijan attacked Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, European Union Member States, including the Slovak Republic and Prime Minister Robert Fico, sold weapons to Azerbaij…

7

Feb

2024

EN Speech

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New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, let me begin by thanking colleagues from across this House for cooperation on this resolution. The cruelty of the Lukashenka regime knows no bounds, and we continue to observe that the treatment of political prisoners in Belarus continues to worsen. The arrest of family members, in particular wives and mothers, is a new low even for this regime. Mary…

7

Feb

2024

SK Speech

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The fight against hate speech and disinformation: responsibility of social platforms within the Digital Services Act (topical debate)

Madam President, at the end of 2021, we engaged with a group of MEPs in the project and reported anti-Semitic content. However, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube only pulled around 11% from the reports. In shock, we approached the management of these platforms, but with no result. Since then, the Digital Services Act has entered into force. However, we are still learning about scandals with a lot of t…

6

Feb

2024

EN Speech

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State of play of the implementation of the Global Gateway and its governance two years after its launch (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, from Africa to the Western Balkans, we see the cost and corrosive impact of Chinese investments. They undermine countries’ finances, human rights and the rule of law. Colleagues, the democratic world is facing a serious security threat from this totalitarian regime, and we need to act accordingly. First, we must move faster to deliver the necessary inve…

17

Jan

2024

EN Speech

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The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande

Madam President, dear colleagues, I welcome Parliament's strong stance on the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Just this year alone, reports mention a variety of tortures the practitioners were forced to endure: wearing a straitjacket, being shocked with an electric baton; sprinkled with chilli peppers, having their feet burned, being force-fed with mustard oil or deprived of food and slee…

17

Jan

2024

SK Speech

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Addressing urgent skills shortages and finding the right talents to boost job creation (European Year of Skills) (debate)

Madam President, I am very pleased that we have the opportunity to discuss this very important topic. Skilled labour shortages are a phenomenon affecting all Member States. The worst are specific sectors such as healthcare, the care sector, but also the construction and information sectors. I have been working with representatives of the care sector in Slovakia for a long time and the situation is…

17

Jan

2024

SK Speech

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Situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2022 and 2023 (debate)

Madam President, honourable Commission, as the beginning of this report says, the European Union is founded on respect and reverence. This, of course, must apply to human rights, freedom, democracy or the rule of law. However, I reiterate that respect and reverence must also apply to the principles on which the European Union was built. One of them is the principle of subsidiarity, and thus respec…

16

Jan

2024

SK Speech

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Transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations funded from the EU budget (debate)

Mr President, I am pleased that the European Parliament is dealing with the issue of transparency in the funding of NGOs. I consider the work of the third sector to be very important. It can often deliver help more efficiently and quickly to people where they need it. In the context of this report, I would like to reiterate that church charities are often unable to apply for funding from the EU bu…

13

Dec

2023

EN Speech

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The abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet

Madam President, colleagues. Commissioner, for over seven decades, the Chinese Communist Party terrorises and oppresses Tibet, from suppression of all fundamental freedoms to mass surveillance, forced labour or the cruel internment of a million children in so-called boarding schools. These acts only have one clear aim the destruction of Tibetan identity and culture, and that of other ethnic and re…

13

Dec

2023

EN Speech

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The unknown status of Mikalai Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarusian politicians’ and activists’ family members

Madam President, dear colleagues, Commission, Council, let me begin by thanking colleagues from across this House for the cooperation on this very strong resolution. The cruelty of the Lukashenko regime knows no bounds, and we continue to observe that the treatment of political prisoners in Belarus continues to worsen. This is why I am particularly concerned about Mikalai Statkevich, but also all …

13

Dec

2023

SK Speech

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Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law (continuation of debate)

Madam President, thousands of people in Slovakia's squares are protesting against the abolition of the Special Prosecutor's Office and further interference in the criminal area. Together with them, I insist on justice for all. Prime Minister Fico, it was you personally who first approached the European Commission. When the answer and full squares do not suit you, do you try to distract attention a…

12

Dec

2023

EN Speech

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EU-China relations (debate)

Mr President, colleagues, the totalitarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party represents the single biggest threat to our freedom and security. We continue to pretend that we can cooperate with China, but even on the issues like the climate change, the CCP actions are destructive rather than constructive. This is why we can no longer afford to hide our heads in the sand. The CCP is open about i…

12

Dec

2023

EN Speech

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Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, Commissioner, let me thank colleagues across this House for their cooperation and speedy conclusion of negotiations of this file, which reflects the urgent need to implement its provisions. In today’s world geopolitical context, it is essential for the EU not to be dependent on few suppliers, especially those which pose a security threat to the Union, like the totali…

22

Nov

2023

EN Speech

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The killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia’s occupying forces in Georgia

Madam President, Commission, colleagues, let me start by thanking my dear friend Anna Fotyga and all colleagues for excellent cooperation on drafting this resolution. I believe the strong text is a testimony to this House’s steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the protection of human rights. I fundamentally condemn the brutal murder of Tamaz Ginturi. Let me be…

22

Nov

2023

EN Speech

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Destruction of judicial independence and the persecution of democrats in Hong Kong (debate)

Mr President, Commissioners, colleagues, the totalitarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party has destroyed Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and freedom. This is a fact. Moreover, the assault on the judicial independence and abuse of the law to crack down on pro-democracy activists has been central to Beijing’s strategy to silence all democratic opposition in Hong Kong. In the last years, thi…

18

Oct

2023

SK Speech

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Mental health at work (debate)

Madam President, the mental health pandemic is an increasingly prevalent problem. In particular, uncertain times have contributed to it, both in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical challenges we are facing. This is also associated with an increase in mental health problems in the work environment. The rapid advent of technology and the pandemic have accelerated ... (Chair int…

18

Oct

2023

SK Speech

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Fighting disinformation and dissemination of illegal content in the context of the Digital Services Act and in times of conflict (debate)

Madam President, this is how, a year ago, I was involved in the project of reporting anti-Semitic content on Facebook and Twitter. The results were shocking. Within 24 hours, only 2% of the reported defective content was downloaded. Today, one year after this project and with an effective Digital Services Act, it seems that the situation has not yet improved much. This is particularly alarming in …

17

Oct

2023

SK Speech

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Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (A9-0290/2023 - José Manuel Fernandes, Christian Ehler)

Madam President, I welcome and support the establishment of the Strategic Technologies Platform. This is the right step towards more investment in our strategic technologies. In doing so, we are also pursuing the objective of greater competitiveness and less dependence on third countries, especially when it comes to undemocratic regimes such as China. I regret that, in the end, the proposal was no…

17

Oct

2023

EN Speech

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Establishing the Ukraine Facility (A9-0286/2023 - Michael Gahler, Eider Gardiazabal Rubial)

Madam President, I welcome today’s vote on the Ukraine facility, and I would like to thank the rapporteur, Michael Gahler, for his work. Europe must continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. At the same time, our support for Ukraine needs to be predictable and strategic. Furthermore, we need to ensure that our support to Ukraine focuses on immediate needs, but has in view the …

3

Oct

2023

SK Speech

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European Media Freedom Act (A9-0264/2023 - Sabine Verheyen)

Mr President, I welcome the adoption today by my colleagues of the report on the European Media Freedom Act by such a large majority. This act introduces many provisions that will help journalists and media pluralism and independence in general. At the same time, it ensures transparency from ownership and sufficient information for users. This is particularly important in a context where attacks o…

3

Oct

2023

SK Speech

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Economic coercion by third countries (A9-0246/2022 - Bernd Lange)

Mr President, I particularly welcome today's vote in favour of the adoption of uniform rules on trade and economic defence, which I have been advocating for a long time, including as shadow rapporteur. They are our other important tool against the political-trade coercion that China is constantly exerting not only against its neighbours, but also against third countries, and also against the Europ…