Speeches

I need to say that you probably wanted to use provocative political language, but maybe it was a little bit below what we call good behaviour in this House.

The next item is the report by Željana Zovko, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the role of preventive diplomacy in addressing frozen conflicts around the world - missed opportunity or change for the future? (2023/2050(INI) (A9-0404/2023)

The next item is the report by Alviina Alametsä, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on EU-India relations (2023/2128(INI) (A9-0435/2023)

– I have received six motions for resolutions pursuant to Rule 132(2) of the Rules of Procedure1. The debate is over. The vote will take place on Wednesday 17 January 2024. _______________ 1 See Minutes. Written statements (Rule 171)

Mr President, humanitarian organisations have warned of a total collapse of the health care system in Gaza. The heavy Israeli bombardment makes it impossible to meet the basic medical needs of the population. That is why an immediate and permanent ceasefire is urgently needed. The International Court of Justice should also thoroughly investigate the concerns that Israel violates the 1948 Genocide Convention. The EU should support South Africa’s intervention in the International Court of Justice to make it very clear that Israel must comply with any provisional measures that may be coming, as imposed by the court. So a ceasefire is the first step, and I need to emphasise that the EU is a key player in the region, and it must work to re-establish a political dialogue on a permanent solution to the conflict. The two-state solution may just be yet revived.

Mr President, dear colleagues, the intentional destruction of nature is one of Russia’s weapons of war against Ukraine. Russia is responsible for severe, long-term and often irreversible damage to Ukraine’s natural environment. It is a war crime. In the midst of this brutal war, Ukraine has shown outstanding leadership by responding to Russia’s blatant violations of international law with a commitment to strengthen accountability for serious environmental crimes. The EU and its Member States must support Ukraine in this work. Ecocide is already recognised under Ukrainian law. And now it is time to find a way to incorporated ecocide as a core crime within the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. A better recognition of environmental crimes in armed conflicts is urgently needed. Not only for the benefit of Ukraine, but for all future conflicts. Now, restoring Ukraine’s natural environment from the damage caused by this war will require significant financial support and expertise, but also strong environmental legislation and processes. A rapid opening of EU accession talks, and the adoption of the EU acquis on environment, would help maintain the pace of the ongoing reforms. Building back better will be key for a sustainable recovery of Ukraine. Both public and private financing for Ukraine must be well aligned with the country’s social and environmental goals. Responsible business conduct should also be well integrated in the recovery efforts. And finally, Ukraine and its nature will recover from this terrible war. A prosperous, green Ukraine on a European path will be an end to Vladimir Putin’s imperialist fantasies.

The next sitting will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 12 December 2023, at 9 a.m. The agenda has been published. It is available on the European Parliament’s website.

However, I may have to say, ladies and gentlemen, that if you say that the Commission is an accomplice of Islamists, then this is a language that should not be used in this Chamber. I hope someone turns this over to you.

I mean, we didn't have any announcements, but please. You see, the situation now is also that we are waiting for Mr Cerdas, who is not here, so please use this extraordinary catch-the-eye speech. Statements on request

The next item is a short presentation of the report by Alexander Bernhuber on Food: amending certain ‘breakfast directives’ [2023/0105(COD)] (A9-0385/2023). Well, that's interesting. I give the floor to the rapporteur for four minutes. Please, Mr Bernhuber.

Madam President, indeed, Russia’s war of aggression has also caused severe long term and often irreversible damage to Ukraine’s natural environment. And in the midst of this brutal war, Ukraine has shown outstanding leadership by responding to Russia’s blatant violations of international law with a commitment to strengthen accountability for serious environmental crimes. It is crucial that the European Parliament will lend its support to Ukraine also in these efforts, and to add its voice to calls by the Council of Europe and others for a better recognition of environmental crimes in armed conflicts. I can assure you that this would not only benefit Ukraine, but also it will be beneficial with a view to all future conflicts.

Mr President, the situation on the Finnish-Russian border has changed rapidly. Russia’s illegal war of aggression has escalated relations between the EU and Russia to the extreme. Now Russia is testing Finland in a familiar way. We have seen it in Poland and elsewhere at the EU's external borders. People who are seeking asylum have been transported to the border with Finland. There is no doubt that this is a planned operation, a midwife of the FSB, an unholy alliance between the Russian regime and organised crime. Once again, Russia uses the vulnerable as political pawns. Finland has to close its borders to show that it is not playing the Russian game. At the same time, more than ever, the EU needs an effective European humanitarian and safe migration and asylum policy. Finland has so far been able to take all asylum seekers arriving at its border into the asylum process. We must ensure that this continues in the future.

Thank you very much for the presentation and I am sorry, we had no information that you also had this hat of your own reserved for this debate, but we are proceeding now anyway.

The next item is the report by Frédérique Ries, on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC (COM(2022)0677 - C9-0400/2022 - 2022/0396(COD)) (A9-0319/2023)