Speeches

Dear Madam, The European Union is not a country. The European Union is made up of nation states which provisionally jointly exercise part of their sovereignty. That means we have contracts. Since we are talking about a Member State issue, why are you speaking as if the European Union in general is a country, and the President of the European Commission is not expressing his private opinion on this issue when the Council and the nation states will decide, not this house and not the European Commission?

Mr. President, please. The subject of today's session is not simply a question of law, but an ideological and political excess. The European Union would run counter to our treaties with the plan to introduce an EU parental certificate, as they left the definition of family strictly to the Member States, and that is fine. Your plan is contrary to a number of national laws, including the Hungarian Basic Law. Again and again you claim that you do not wish to undermine the traditional Christian family model, but again and again you prove the opposite. It should be left to the citizens of the Member States to decide with whom and how they want to live together. They are on the same path as when they want to force unrestricted immigration on the Member States. This proposal shows that defending sovereignty has never been more timely. We reject this proposal as such.

Dear Mr President, If we want a strong Europe, our enlargement policy must take into account our geopolitical and security policy needs. The European Union sees enlargement as a means of extortion or perfidy, or it applies double standards when it comes to membership, i.e. it undermines its own unity and credibility. Please refrain from that. Countries wishing to enter the European Union must comply with the conditions set out in the legislation. Of course, but especially the Copenhagen criteria. These conditions must be the same for all applicant countries. Not only trust, but also the geostrategic interests of the EU Member States are hurt by the fact that some countries of the Western Balkans have been deceived by the EU for more than 10 years without significant progress, while Ukraine has been pursuing an accelerated enlargement policy. All we ask is that the same rules apply to everyone.

Mr. friend! You worked for the Soros Foundation for five years and you're talking about anti-Semitism? In your green government in Germany, Jews can no longer and cannot freely take to the streets because of the mass migration you have dragged to Germany – people cannot talk freely, take to the streets freely or even go to their churches. I ask you quite frankly: Shouldn't you be a little more concerned with Germany, with your German government and with the events in Germany against Jews?

Madam President, I'm sorry. Hungary, my country, has an interest in open trade and a trade policy that takes into account the interests of the Member States. In addition to free trade, Europe's self-defence is also important. The European Union must be able to defend its own economic interests in the event of pressure from a third country. I would therefore like to thank Mr Lange for his work. But that is not the only purpose of this new regulation. Hiding under the guise of European market defence, it aims to eliminate the foreign policy veto. The key to the proposal is that, according to the Treaties, the Union has exclusive competence in the field of the common commercial policy. The new regulation aims to expand this area so that the EU can decide exclusively on matters such as foreign affairs and our sanctions policy, without consulting the Member States. This is a circumvention of the Member States, a measure that seriously undermines national competences, a circumvention of our Treaties.

Mr. President, please. Hungary has traditionally been rich in high-quality and well-reputed agricultural, food and craft products. This EU regulation is an important proposal for companies and for Europe's cultural heritage. The new legislation supports the European protection system to protect not only agricultural products, but also the origin of traditional craft and industrial products such as Herend porcelain, Halas lace or Szabolcs apples. In 2015, the Hungarian government announced its origin protection programme, which aims to significantly increase the number of Hungarian GI foods recognised by the EU. As a result of the programme, Hungary is at the forefront of the EU in the field of protected products. The new EU legislation can be an effective complementary tool for a successful national programme.

Mr. President, please. The European left wants to revive an institution that is so familiar to us, the citizens of Central and Eastern Europe: the institution of class struggle from state socialism. The time has come for NGOs with privileges to be the first among equals. Representatives of the European Left have decided to remove NGOs, human rights defenders and human rights activists from the jurisdiction of the Member States and to grant them an unprecedented privilege: if a lawsuit endangers their public participation, the court could terminate the proceedings immediately. On what basis is this privilege granted to NGOs? On what grounds are they different from any other member of society? The answer is simple: they represent the cause of an open society without the authority of the electorate. Ladies and gentlemen, this judgment can never be fair. Where justice and justice do not belong together, it is not a state governed by the rule of law.

Mr. President, please. Family law is rooted in the history, culture and social values of each nation. As a question, it falls exclusively within the competence of the Member States what legislation the Italian Government, which was formed after democratic elections, adopts and on the basis of which principles it operates its own civil status system. It belongs to a single Member State: To Italy. Member States, like Italy or even Hungary, have the right to take a position on this issue on the basis of Christian-Jewish values. Neither the European Parliament, nor any other EU institution, nor any other EU Member State has the authority to judge this or to intervene in any way in this matter. That's why we have contracts. We stand by the Italian government, we stand by its decisions.

Dear Mr President, Dear Members of the Committee, National security is the exclusive competence of the Member States. The European Parliament is out of law when it investigates, reports on, or organises a visit to our country on matters of national security. In the absence of competence, it is clear that there are only political motives for the investigation. But we'll be in good faith, maybe it's just against sovereignty. It is sad that the European Parliament is now trying to use the principle of sincere cooperation to make up for its lack of competence. In your view, the EU institutions have only rights and the Member States only obligations. The reality, on the other hand, is that sincere cooperation places just as much burden on the institutions towards the Member States as vice versa. More respect for the Treaties, more respect for the nation-states and more respect for the electorate!

Dear Mr President, Dear fellow Members, The debate on the European Parental Certificate is both a question of law and an ideological standpoint. It is a question of law because family law is rooted in the history, culture and social values of each Member State. Therefore, any proposal to make it mandatory to recognise parenthood between Member States is strictly within the competence of the nation states and constitutes a serious abuse of EU competence. It is an ideological standpoint because the EU institutions, by circumventing the treaties, are launching philosophical warfare against the traditional Christian family model in Europe. Our position, which is based on the provisions of the Hungarian Fundamental Law, is clear from both a legal and an ideological point of view. The mother is a woman, the father is a man, and the concept of the family is a competence of the nation-state. Please respect that.

Mr President, first of all, thank you, Commissioner, for your very constructive words. The United Kingdom did not leave Europe by Brexit, but only the European Union. ‘Europeanness’ is not measured by membership in an organisation, but by respecting national self-determination, culture, history and constitutional tradition – a field in which the United Kingdom has always excelled. Further to that, it was not the UK who could not keep their EU membership. The EU was unable to keep a powerful country that remained realistic compared to federalist ideas. We are sad that we lost the UK as a member state, but we respect the democratic decision of its people. Now the UK is a natural ally of the European Union and of the European nation states. The EU should conduct a pragmatic and respectful dialogue towards the UK that is finally worthy of Europe.

Mr. President, please. The intertwining of political and economic interests, when the European institutions talk about themselves, is called lobbying, not corruption. Only the Member States are accused of corruption. The aim has always been to further enhance EU competences and exert political and economic pressure. The EU institutions are blocking the possibility of external auditing from the Member States, so that this does not inadvertently threaten their competences and objectives. Therefore, the creation of a new independent ethics body can be supported under two conditions. Ha maradéktalanul tiszteletben tartják a Szerződéseinket, a közös Szerződéseinket, és megfelelő hatáskört biztosítanak a tagállamok számára.

Mr. President, please. While the left-wing majority in the European Parliament regards the organisation of illegal migration and its financial and legal support as a human rights issue, Hungary regards it as a matter of national security and treats it accordingly, and I promise you that it will treat it accordingly. Illegal migration is not humanitarian aid. The worst thing they can do. The European Union should take note of the fact that illegal migration is dangerous and should not be legalised or organised, but should be stopped because of its obvious security risks. In contrast, real humanitarian aid is a foreign policy priority for Hungary. Its international development cooperation policy is an important tool in this area, with the help of which we can address the causes of migration on the ground and create the economic background that forces these people to stay on the ground. After Africa has been drained, we should focus on your help. We will continue to fight illegal migration. We would like to thank Minister Salvini for his work and the Meloni government for its action.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Today's debate is yet another example of the regrettable phenomenon that only far-right atrocities reach the threshold of the European Parliament. You are also setting double standards in the fight against violence. And they believe that legality is a leftist prerogative. I would like to remind you that in 2006, the second year of our EU membership, this Parliament did not even consider putting on the agenda the actions of the extreme leftist, post-communist Gyurcsány government against peaceful demonstrators. We had something to argue about. Suffice it to say that the left always has only the middle, and the right always has only the edge. Common European action is needed wherever a group expresses its political opinions by force, regardless of party affiliation. In view of the ever-increasing corruption scandal, this House should now be able to conduct a self-examination.

Mr. President, please. The united Hungarian left was financed by non-European interest groups in the Hungarian election campaign in the amount of USD 3 billion. Meanwhile, here in Parliament, politicians of the European left have also received money from outside Europe, based on suspicions raised in criminal proceedings, so that their political position serves an interest outside the EU. While the members of the European left are showing their utmost commitment to defending the rule of law and working people, fighting corruption, and accusing Hungary of their lies on a daily basis, it seems that in reality their position can be bought. All this shows that the left is trying to mislead the electorate, and it is time for them to look inside themselves and conduct a moral and political self-examination.

Dear Mr President, The judgment of the European Court of Justice confirmed that the main achievement of the European Union is the creation of an area without internal frontiers in which persons can move freely. The reintroduction of border control at internal borders should remain an exceptional and proportionate measure, which should only take place as a last resort. If we want the Union to remain important to our citizens, it is essential to preserve Schengen. We have been saying for years: in order to have peace and security within the Schengen internal borders, our external borders must be protected. Hungary has been effectively guaranteeing the protection of the EU's external borders for a long time with considerable human and material costs. We are doing this in solidarity with the European Union as a whole. However, we don't get support, we just get criticism for it. This year is also an extraordinary year in terms of border protection. It is the strongest year since 2015 for illegal immigration. The European Union must recognise that in times of crisis it is necessary to defend ourselves outwards and to stand together inwards.

Dear Mr President, Because of its high-quality products and services, the European Union is a popular trading partner in global markets. However, the response to the effects of the energy crisis, war inflation and the general economic downturn, as well as to changes in the international environment, should ensure first and foremost the competitiveness of the Union and not ideological ideas that are outside the scope of trade policy. Hungary is committed to the importance of sustainability goals, environmental protection and human rights. At the same time, it should be noted that international trade policy is neither intended nor suitable to address other policy objectives. The expansion of Hungarian and European companies active in foreign markets should be facilitated by all possible means. Open and rule-based trade is in the interest of Hungary and the European Union.

– Honourable Member, I would like to ask you: If we are already talking about democracy, what do you think about the statement by Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock that she is not interested in the opinion of the German voters in principle? When we talk about democracy, I would ask you this question. And in Hungary, too, voters this year opted for a democratically elected conservative, Christian-democratic government. Please, Mr. Speaker, respect that.

Madam President, please. The proposal on the functioning and finances of European parties and party foundations poses a fundamental threat to European democracy and violates the fundamental conditions of the rule of law. The strongest democratic legitimacy component of the European Union is still free elections in the Member States, with the participation of national parties and following the majority principle. Excessive bureaucracy in the EU and interference in the electoral systems of the EU Member States, with the European Parliament subordinating to a committee outsourced from its own administration, whether national parties, which are the pillars of democracy, can exist and operate in the Member States. On this basis, the European Parliament could even remove parties it does not like from political life. In this form, we cannot support the proposal.

Mr President! Since Mrs Barley and the Socialists have not asked themselves the questions, I would like to leave something in the room here. In Germany, politicians decide directly on the federal level who is appointed as a judge. The decision is made by the Judicial Election Committee, which can be composed exclusively of politicians. 16 members are the state ministers, another 16 members are appointed by the Bundestag. Should it not be considered a double standard that the independence and politicisation of the German courts are never called into question, but that you repeatedly express concerns about the independence of Hungarian and Polish courts?

Dear Commissioner, Sehr geehrte Frau Vorsitzende! Dear fellow Members, The European Union and Africa have an important and long-standing political, economic and cultural relationship. The need for an economic approach that treats Africa not only as a recipient of aid and humanitarian aid but also as an economic partner of the EU is beyond dispute. However, it is equally important for the European Union to support Africa in improving living conditions so that people do not want to leave their continent en masse. One of the most negative effects of the measures taken so far is that migration flows to Europe have steadily increased in recent years. It is time for change, for the European Union to focus on creating the conditions for remaining local. We need to ensure that African people can stay in their home countries in dignified conditions and become markets for European products, services and the knowledge economy for their own development and mutual benefit.

Dear Mr President, The Treaty on European Union refers the issue of national security to the Member States in a clear and unambiguous manner. The setting up of the Pegasus Committee and the European Parliament's scrutiny in this area, which is subordinated to political objectives, are illegal. It is a serious violation of the sovereignty of the Member States. Hungary, on the other hand, operates as a democratic state governed by the rule of law and, as such, has always acted and continues to act in accordance with the legislation in force in matters of national security. According to the findings of the governmental and non-governmental institutions controlling the national security services, the legality of the operation of these bodies is fully substantiated. Since the entry into office of the civilian government twelve years ago, the Hungarian national security services have not carried out and continue to carry out illegal surveillance. During the time of the left-wing governments, however, there were a number of serious illegalities. We call on the European Parliament to respect our treaties.

Madam President, the report of the AIDA Special Committee set out the direction of the EU’s approach to artificial intelligence. On an unparalleled scale, Europe can establish its own leadership in the area of AI by creating a regulatory environment that gives both private and business users the most appropriate and complete rights and the widest possible protection. This report can be – and confidentially will be – used as a compass during the AI-related process ahead. Faced with the rapid technological development of AI and a global policy context where more and more countries are investing heavily in AI, the EU must act to harness the many opportunities and address the challenges of AI in a future-proof manner. We have to set the appropriate standards – neither more nor less than is necessary to achieve our goals. We can pave the way to ethical technology worldwide and ensure that the EU remains competitive all along the way. On artificial intelligence, trust is not an option but a must. That is what human-centred artificial intelligence is all about. The primary purpose of the development and the use of algorithms, sensors and robots is not to produce technology or create scientific knowledge, but to support the quality of human life, the preservation of health and the organisation of social relations. AI should be used at the service of people, families and businesses, and not the other way around. I would like to thank Mr Axel Voss for his excellent work and congratulate him on this very good report.

Dear Madam President, Today I am asking you for a self-reflection, so I will start with a quote. "Russia has given hope and strength to all minorities in the fight for their rights. The referendum in Crimea highlighted the dichotomy between the United States and the European Union, because they only support peoples’ self-determination and human and minority rights if their geopolitical interests so require.’ These statements were made by the Hungarian far-right a few years ago, when their members took part as election observers in the referendum on the annexation of Crimea to Russia and celebrated the Russian annexation of the peninsula. The alliance of far-right Jobbik with the Hungarian left was enthusiastically supported by the European left-wing parties, Donald Tusk stepped on the same stage as his candidate for prime minister and, under his patronage, joined the European People's Party in the Hungarian election campaign. Ladies and gentlemen! When discussing the relationship between the Kremlin and the far-right parties, the European party families should first of all look within themselves and exercise self-examination, you on the left. Whose interests are they actually defending in such political positions?

Madam President, first of all I want to thank Frau Niebler. The Data Governance Act claims to help exploit the potential of the data economy by facilitating the availability to have large amounts of data for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The proposal is the first concrete step towards promoting the technological sovereignty of the EU by creating the legal framework for the voluntary sharing of data. The launch of the domestic data economy and the development of the digital ecosystem, including the data economy ecosystem are a matter of greatest importance. The Hungarian government seeks to encourage the disposition and activation of private data assets through the transfer of international good practices and the awareness of the interests of the stakeholders, which results in increased international competitiveness of the Hungarian and European data economic system. I would like to thank you for the great efforts of the rapporteur for achieving a reasonable and balanced text which serves the interests of an efficient data asset management both in Europe and Hungary.