What Thijs spoke about.

21

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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The outcome of the Western Balkans summit (continuation of debate)

Mr President, the declaration after the Western Balkans Summit started with a promise of unequivocal support. It left me a bit confused. What does this actually mean? The commitment to a substantial investment package of EUR 30 billion is very welcome. Is that it? Or is it the merit-based approach, but with new demands and surprise vetoes after meeting the criteria? Words matter. Instead of unequ…

19

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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The Rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law (debate)

Mr President, democracies are founded on one basic principle. Politicians represent their people and they have this power on loan from their people. I’m afraid you have forgotten about this fundamental concept, Prime Minister. The reason, the so-called ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal, is the result of a reckless gambling game putting an entire country at stake. The outcome is serving the int…

5

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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The situation in Belarus after one year of protests and their violent repression (continuation of debate)

Mr President, Nikita Zolotariov, born in 2004, is a now 17—year—old boy. He was arrested and convicted to almost five years in prison after attending the protests of last year. His parents are unsure if he is still alive because he is dependent on medication. A political prisoner – a child! There are over 700 political prisoners, and Lukashenka has still room and resources to intimidate, and worse…

5

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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The future of EU-US relations (debate)

Mr President, the EU—US Transatlantic Partnership – the renewed reinforced partnership – is opening a new chapter of closer bilateral relations following the election of Joe Biden. The EU and the US are the bedrock of the rules—based international order and champions of multilateralism, democracy and human rights. But we should also acknowledge the differences between the EU and the US, and that i…