What Miriam spoke about.

3

Oct

2023

SK Speech

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

Madam President, what we are seeing today is the ethnic cleansing of the Christian Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azerbaijani regime. Almost the entire population has fled. They left behind a home and all their possessions. This is a huge humanitarian disaster and the EU must help. However, it is unacceptable that the EU still considers Azerbaijan as a strategic partner given the c…

3

Oct

2023

EN Speech

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Question Time with Commissioners – EU-China trade relations

Thank you, Commissioner, for being with us. I have two questions. The first question is, after our ban of combustion engines by 2035, Chinese electric vehicles have flooded our markets and you have already answered to a couple of colleagues what measures the EU is taking in order to protect our interests. But my question is, is the Commission ready to review this ban? Should this be the only way h…

13

Sep

2023

SK Speech

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

. – Commissioner, ensuring access to critical raw materials is crucial for European industry, especially in the context of the current geopolitical challenges. Ultimately, it is about people's livelihoods. Without materials like lithium or cobalt, for example, our automotive industry has no future. Critical raw materials, and thus the Regulation on access to them, are also essential for the succes…

12

Sep

2023

EN Speech

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Relations with Belarus (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, Palina Panasiuk is a mother of two children. She has been severely beaten, refused medical help, put regularly into a punishment cell. Her family are denied contact with her. She is among the 1 500 political prisoners. The list of political prisoners grows. Places of worship are either shut or destroyed, democratic opposition parties banned, thousands of the brigh…

12

Sep

2023

SK Speech

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Single market emergency instrument (debate)

Madam President, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the negative effects that unilateral action by Member States can have on free movement. This has affected not only the movement of goods and services, but especially the movement of workers. As shadow rapporteur for the Employment Committee, I have primarily advocated for the protection of such workers. Many of us travel for work, some cross bord…

12

Jul

2023

EN Speech

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India, the situation in Manipur

Mr President, colleagues, the state of freedom of religion and belief in a society is an important litmus test of the state of other fundamental freedoms. Therefore, while Indian officials often like to boast that the country is the world’s largest democracy, intolerance and violence against religious minorities paint a different picture. In the state of Manipur at least 100 people are dead, tens …

11

Jul

2023

EN Speech

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Relations with the Palestinian Authority (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, across the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, official Palestinian Authority textbooks teach hatred and violence, and demonise both Israel and the Jewish people. A peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is both a moral and strategic imperative. However, this can only be achieved through educating societies and above all, young generations t…

11

Jul

2023

SK Speech

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2023 Annual Rule of law report (debate)

Madam President, I have carefully read the report for Slovakia, which also contained constructive recommendations. Many times, however, it seems that some countries in particular are heavily criticised, while in others obvious rule of law problems are solved with one sentence. I would like to point out that, for example, the recommendations for Belgium last year referred to the case of a Slovak ci…

14

Jun

2023

EN Speech

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Deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai

Madam President, dear colleagues, Jimmy Lai faces a life in prison based on trumped up charges. His case is a strong example of how Beijing and the Hong Kong authorities are using the so-called national security law to undermine the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms in the city. What are they afraid of ? The answer is simple. They are afraid of freedom loving people like Jimmy Lai be…

14

Jun

2023

SK Speech

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Surrogacy in the EU - risks of exploitation and commercialisation (topical debate)

Madam President, a child is not a commodity, I think we all agree on this. The dignity of every person must be protected. This is also a widely accepted and supported fact. Why then do we have the problem of condemning something that makes children a commodity and exploits women's poverty, especially those from developing countries, and makes them a subject of commercial relations? Surogatory or s…

13

Jun

2023

EN Speech

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Question Time (VPC/HR) - Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the Lachin Corridor

I would like to echo many colleagues who said that very little has been done in order to help to settle this conflict. And not enough has been done in order to provide security and human humanitarian aid to the 120 000 people and 30 000 children in Nagorno-Karabakh. We have been for too long closing our eyes to the human rights breaches in Azerbaijan and done by the Azeri regime. As Ms Loiseau alr…

10

May

2023

EN Speech

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

Mr President, dear colleagues, Viktar Babaryka is one of the nearly 1 500 political prisoners in Belarus whose only crime is the desire for a sovereign, democratic and prosperous Belarus. Brave men and women, their families, all suffering under the terror of Lukashenko’s regime. This is why the EU must do all in its power to put pressure on the regime, including the strengthening of our sanctions.…

10

May

2023

SK Speech

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Fighting cyberbullying of young people across the EU (debate)

Mr President, online bullying is a problem that is taking on huge proportions. According to the latest surveys, almost a quarter of children between the ages of 9 and 17 have experienced online bullying. At the same time, one-third of those victims have not yet spoken to anyone about it. The most vulnerable population group, children, is alarmingly often confronted with this phenomenon, which harm…

9

May

2023

SK Speech

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Empowering consumers for the green transition (debate)

Madam President, the order of consumers at the moment is clear. They want to have enough verified information to make a responsible decision. However, the line between sufficient information and literally flooding with various claims, from which it is difficult to choose, has so far been unclear. I therefore welcome the proposed amendments to the Unfair Commercial Practices and Consumer Rights Dir…

9

May

2023

SK Speech

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Start of the European Year of skills (debate)

Madam President, today, on the occasion of the launch of the European Year of Skills, I would like to call for the opportunities that this year will bring to really reach everyone. It is crucial that skills opportunities are also available to vulnerable groups, people from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. At the same time, I would like to point out that it is important that …

9

May

2023

EN Speech

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2022 Report on Serbia (debate)

Madam President, let me start by thanking Vladimír Bilčík and the shadow rapporteurs for the very balanced and comprehensive text. In particular, I would like to highlight the strong emphasis on countering the malign influence and hybrid threats from non—democratic regimes, particularly including the Chinese Communist Party. The negative impact of Chinese influence is increasingly felt in differen…

19

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny

Madam President, dear colleagues, I am extremely saddened and abhorred by the sentencing of Vladimir Kara—Murza, whom I know as a brave and principled man. His crimes? Exposing the Kremlin’s kleptocracy, speaking out against a cruel war and fighting for a free Russia. It is no coincidence that the same regime that wages aggression against its neighbours and steals from its people also jails those …

19

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Children forcibly deported from Ukraine and the ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, nearly 20 000 children have been forcefully deported from Ukraine to Russia, and hundreds killed, wounded as a result of Russia’s war aggression. These forced deportations and crimes against humanity committed by the aggressor smack of the worst Stalinist excesses. I welcome the recent initiative of the Commission and the Polish Government to ensure the return of the…

18

Apr

2023

SK Speech

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eGovernment accelerating digital public services that support the functioning of the single market (A9-0065/2023 - Tomislav Sokol)

Madam President, the Covid-19 pandemic has shown the need for faster digitalisation of public services. Digitalisation, when implemented effectively, can significantly reduce bureaucratic barriers for citizens and businesses, speed up many actions or reduce costs. I welcome the principle of only growing, which means that citizens do not have to report facts or document documents to the authorities…

18

Apr

2023

SK Speech

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Institutional relations between the EU and the Council of Europe (A9-0056/2023 - Loránt Vincze)

Madam President, the European Union and the Council of Europe have long-standing and constructive relations towards the protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy. This strategic partnership needs to be further strengthened and deliver real results on issues within our competence. At the same time, however, it is important that we do not undermine our cooperation by making cons…

18

Apr

2023

SK Speech

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Social Climate Fund (A9-0157/2022 - David Casa, Esther de Lange)

Madam President, the Fit for 55 package is a comprehensive piece of legislation that provides a systematic solution to protect the environment. On the other hand, it will inevitably lead to price increases, affecting vulnerable households and small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. I therefore welcome the fact that, as part of this package, we are also setting up a Social Climate Fund, w…

18

Apr

2023

SK Speech

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Question Time (Commission) - Legacy of the European Year of Youth

Mr President, Commissioner, one of the objectives of 2022 as the European Year of Youth was to highlight the role of young people for the future of the European Union and to help them overcome the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many young people became socially isolated, lost educational or career opportunities. A lot of people are worried about the future. All thi…

29

Mar

2023

EN Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Mr President, dear colleagues, the economic coercion by the totalitarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party experienced by Lithuania last year has highlighted some hard lessons. First, growing assertiveness and aggression of non-democratic regimes through economic, political and other means. Second, the lack of ability of the EU to jointly defend one of our Member States and the core principles…

29

Mar

2023

SK Speech

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 (debate)

Madam President, competitiveness is crucial for our security as well as for the livelihoods of our citizens. I am therefore concerned about the lack of concrete steps in the Council conclusions. In addition, yesterday's decision to ban internal combustion engines in this context also seems to me to be a goal in my own goal. Of course, environmental protection measures are the right way to go. Howe…

15

Mar

2023

SK Speech

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Cross-border adoptions from third countries (debate)

Mr President, the cases mentioned from Croatia warn us that the practice of cross-border adoptions may not always be carried out in good faith. Instead of finding a home, a child without a family can become a victim of exploiting their vulnerability or of crimes, including trafficking in human beings. However, I would like to draw your attention to another problematic aspect. Cross-border adoption…