Speeches

The next item is the debate on the question for oral answer to the Commission by Younous Omarjee, on behalf of the Committee on Regional Development, on the implementation of cohesion policy 2021-2027 (O-000002/2022 – B9-0006/2022) (2022/2527(RSP)). Members are reminded that during this part-session there will be no catch-the-eye debates and no blue card questions will be accepted. I would also like to point out that, as in recent part-sessions, it is possible to speak remotely from the Liaison Offices of the Member States. I would also like to remind you that interventions in the Chamber will continue to be made from the rostrum in the centre of the Chamber. I therefore urge you to follow the list of speakers and move close to the podium when your speaking time is about to start.

Mr President, Russia's aggression against Ukraine has finally led the EU to show the kind of unity and global leadership that has long been expected of it. The EU and the democratic world as a whole have succeeded in joining forces in support of Ukraine. President of Finland Sauli Niinistö described his feelings by saying that the masks have now been dropped and only the cold face of the war remains. The situation is a complete awakening to reality, even though the signs of Russia's extremely worrying aggressive development have been in the air for a long time. Now, more than ever, we need to build a genuine security and defence cooperation for the European Union, covering all EU countries and also providing protection for our close partners. Dear friends, you do not need to be told that in Finland, a militarily non-aligned country, the awakening to reality has been even more chilling. The closer the link between the EU and NATO is from now on, the easier it will be for countries in Finland's situation to overcome the obstacles that Russia has put in front of them if they want to seal the already close partnership with NATO with their membership.

Madam President, Commissioner, the winner of the upcoming presidential election in the Philippines will have a major task to reverse the dire human rights situation which has seen an appalling deterioration under President Duterte. Since 2014 the Philippines has enjoyed tariff preferences under the GSP+ system. The EU is the fourth-biggest trading partner with the Philippines. However, the GSP+ scheme is up for review with the current arrangement coming to its end in 2023. Now, the EU must see a steep positive curve in the Philippines’ human rights situation to be able to accept its possible reapplication to the scheme by 2024. We demand an immediate end to extrajudicial killings, an end to red-tagging human rights defenders, journalists, trade union activists. The war on drugs is to end immediately. However, it is not only the GSP+ that is at stake. The EU is also increasing its requirements on companies’ human rights conduct throughout their value chains. Respect for human rights will be a key factor for any business in Europe making their sourcing decisions. It is only wise to consider creating enabling conditions for business to operate in an environment free of human rights or labour rights violations. Effective implementation of international human rights standards and fundamental ILO conventions will be a prerequisite for a trade deal to be concluded with the EU.

We will now continue the discussion on the European Council and Commission statement on EU-Russia relations, European security and the Russian military threat against Ukraine (2022/2518(RSP)).

We shall now move on to today's first votes. We will vote on the procedures announced on the agenda. Voting will be open from 12.30 to 13.45. The voting method is the same as in previous votes. All votes shall be taken by roll call. I now declare the votes open. So, ladies and gentlemen, you can vote until 13.45. The results of the votes will be announced at 19.00.

Colleague, I am obliged to tell you that, according to the Rules of Procedure, this is not allowed. I am very sorry. Your time is out. You have to do this outside the plenary.

Mr President, Mr President, High Representative, we have just heard speeches that the EU has acted unitedly and forcefully, but in spite of these speeches, I think it is clear that the EU is not acting with all its weight in this crisis. NATO is at the heart of this crisis, and the EU is weakened by the fact that its six member states are outside NATO. Some of these Member States may still believe in neutrality, even though the facts no longer speak in favour of neutrality. Some of them, on the other hand, hope that the EU will be transformed into a defence alliance, and this hope, too, is not supported by the facts. That is why, ladies and gentlemen, I think it would be very important for NATO to invite all EU Member States outside NATO to become members. Putin has already made a clear move towards NATO in Finland, for example. As you know, Finland has been a close partner of NATO for years. In this context, it is imperative that we show our unwavering support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The West must remain united and show that it is serious about retaliation. Sanctions must now also be imposed on Putin and his immediate circle, inevitably on gas and nuclear cooperation.

We will now continue the debate on the report by María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2021 (A9-0353/2021).

I will now announce the results of the first voting session on Tuesday, 15 February 2022. (The President reads out the results of the votes. More detailed information can be found in the minutes of the sitting.)

The next item is the report by María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2021 (2021/2181(INI)) (A9-0353/2021). It is my duty to remind you that during this part-session there will be no catch-the-eye debates and no blue card questions will be accepted. I would also like to point out that, as in recent part-sessions, it is possible to speak remotely from the Liaison Offices of the Member States. I would also like to remind you that interventions in the Chamber will continue to be made from the rostrum in the centre of the Chamber. I therefore urge you to follow the list of speakers and move close to the podium when your speaking time is about to start.

Thank you to the Commission, Commissioner Kyriakides, for this very encouraging speech. I have the courage to say that, even if I do not take a position on this debate. Let us now turn to the Groups' speeches.

Mr President, allow me to congratulate you on your election – it’s the first time you are chairing our session. Commissioner, for decades, repression and persecution have been pervasive in Kazakhstan. It is therefore welcome that, since taking power, the Tokayev Government has promised and announced democratic reforms. Yet we need to see the implementation of these reforms. Now, the internal situation in Kazakhstan remains complex, and we need to understand what happened exactly when the peaceful demonstrations turned violent. What kind of elements were involved? Were they organised? Were they instigated by somewhere? So above all, we need an independent international investigation into those events. The truth about who caused the escalation and the ensuing violence and loss of life must be found out, and the perpetrators must be punished when they exceed normal dealing with demonstrations. The kleptocrats who by any means try to cling to power should face tough measures. Let us be firm in recovering the assets which have been stolen by the elites. Let’s ensure that we contribute to the fact that they face justice for crimes against their own people. Those who are on the side of the reforms in Kazakhstan need to be identified, and they critically deserve our support. Colleagues, there’s a lot that can be done by the EU to support democracy and the rule of law in Kazakhstan. Together with the OSCE and the UN Human Rights Council, the EU must ensure that these independent investigations will be carried out. All allegations of torture and ill treatment in detention must be thoroughly investigated, and civil society and free media must be supported in their work.

Madam President, congratulations. Mr President, in 2017 there was a Paris effect. Paris has put companies on the path to sustainable development. The Due Diligence Act was an important step. Now is the time to put these rules in place at European level to ensure the sustainable management of companies and their value chain. Investors themselves demand clear and transparent rules on corporate sustainability. Systemic transformation is needed. Is Paris ready to ensure that the Brussels effect will now occur after the Paris effect on sustainable business practices? Will the French Presidency make rapid progress on the upcoming Sustainable Corporate Governance initiative?

Mr President, the attempt to abolish Russia's most venerable human rights organisation, Memorial, is at the same time an attempt to deny the memory of the Russian nation. In many cases, the FSB is assisted by the so-called Economic and Social Committee of Experts. It is this quasi-scientific body that has drawn up the statement for the dissolution of Memorial. The same quasi-scientific body also acted as an expert in the so-called Sandarmoh case, when Yuri Dmitriev, the head of the Memorial of the Republic of Karelia, was sentenced to a severe prison sentence with fictitious charges. He had found and brought out the victims of Stalin's persecution under the Karelian pine forests. The third case is from the Kola peninsula. Agnes Haikara, a descendant of Finnish immigrants, wrote a book about the tragic fates of Norwegian and Finnish immigrants in the persecutions of Stalin. A year ago, the FSB confiscated the book based on the opinion of this quasi-scientific committee. Today, the European Parliament is calling for sanctions against those involved in the dissolution of Memorial. Ladies and gentlemen, the Economic and Social Committee of Experts is an appropriate target for sanctions.

– The next item is the brief presentation of the report by Michèle Rivasi on Avoiding corruption, irregular expenditure and misuse of EU and national funds in the case of emergency aid funds and crisis-related spending areas [2020/2222(INI)] (A9-0320/2021). I give the floor to the rapporteur for four minutes. Members are reminded that there will now be no catch-the-eye debates and no blue card questions will be accepted. When a Member does not speak from a Member State’s Parliament Liaison Office, he or she speaks from the podium.

– The debate is closed. The vote on the amendments will take place on Tuesday 14 December 2021 and the final vote will take place on Wednesday 15 December 2021. Written statements (Rule 171)

– The next item is the brief presentation of the report by Tomáš Zdechovský on the impact of organised crime on EU own resources and the misappropriation of EU funds [2020/2221(INI)] (A9-0330/2021).

The debate is over. As regards the second reading of this recommendation, no proposals have been tabled to reject the Council's position and no amendments have been tabled pursuant to Rules 67 and 68 of the Rules of Procedure. The Council's position is therefore deemed to have been adopted and therefore the proposed act has also been adopted. Written statements (Rule 171)

The next item is the debate on the recommendation for second reading by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on health technology assessment and amending Directive 2011/24/EU (10531/3/2021 – C9‐0422/2021 – 2018/0018(COD)) (Rapporteur: Tiemo Wölken) (A9-0334/2021). However, I would first like to remind you that during this part-session there will be no catch-the-eye debates and no blue card questions will be accepted. I would also like to point out that, as in recent part-sessions, it is possible to speak remotely from the Liaison Offices of the Member States. I would also like to remind you that interventions in the Chamber will continue to be made from the rostrum in the centre of the Chamber. I therefore urge you to follow the list of speakers and move close to the podium when your speaking time is about to start.

The debate is over. The vote on the amendments will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 14 December 2021. The final vote will take place on Wednesday 15 December 2021.

We will now continue the topical debate under Rule 162 of the Rules of Procedure on the role of the EU in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World (2021/2926(RSP)).