What Reinhold spoke about.

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DE Written Statement

Recommendation to the Council on the EU priorities for the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women - EU priorities for the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (joint debate - EU priorities for the upcoming session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women)

The ÖVP delegation welcomes the efforts to set the EU priorities for the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The promotion of women's rights and the strengthening of gender equality are important concerns that we support. The report contains many valuable approaches, which we support in principle. At the same time, however, there are individual aspects which, in their current…

7 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Attempts by the ruling party Georgian Dream to ban opposition parties in Georgia

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Mr President, it was in October 2024 when I observed with colleagues the elections in Georgia, and we raised at that time serious concerns about pressure on voters. Now, after two years, Georgian Dream is moving from pressuring voters to excluding parties that could challenge its power. And I want to underline also what my colleague David McAllister mentioned already: I, with colleagues, took the …

7 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Human rights situation in Iran, notably the cases of Taraneh Rahimi and Leila Abolhasani

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Mr President, Taraneh Rahimi's family says she can no longer walk. According to her cousin, a prison doctor ordered urgent hospital treatment and alleged torture worsened her condition. Therefore, it was refused, telling her that she would be executed anyway. Taraneh, a young student, and Leila Abolhasani, a mother of two, face execution following prosecution linked to the January protests. Leila …

6 Oct

2026

EN Speech

The 2026 undemocratic elections to the Russian State Duma and its implications on civil society (debate)

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Madam President, in March 2018, I served as an election observer of OSCE in Russia during the presidential elections, as well as I did in previous elections before in Russia. At that time, there was still hope that free elections might one day take place in Russia. Unfortunately, we see now the opposite. In September, United Russia - Yedinaya Rossiya - was awarded 349 of 450 seats. But what choice…

6 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Recommendation on EU-China political relations (debate)

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Madam President, Europe's relationship with China has become deeply unbalanced. In 2025, the EU recorded a trade deficit with China of almost 360 billion. European companies continue to face barriers to the Chinese market, while subsidised Chinese products benefit from broad access to ours. This is not fair competition. Not at all. Europe must demand reciprocity and defend its industries against d…

16 Sep

2026

EN Speech

Post-electoral repression in Zambia and the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya

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Madam President, dear colleagues, we must look on the situation in Zambia after the election day. Mutotwe Kafwaya, a former minister, was killed during a security raid in the days following the election. This was not an isolated act. Violent incidents had already marked the campaign, and the election observation delegation had repeatedly called on all political leaders and their supporters to refr…

16 Sep

2026

DE Speech

Political prisoners in Cuba, in particular the case of Félix Navarro and his daughter Saylí Navarro

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Madam President, The answer to the difficult supply situation in Cuba cannot be a restriction of freedom of expression and assembly, of human rights. Colleague Botenga, you can't make it that easy. And the answer to the blackouts cannot be the suppression of civil rights and the arrest of hundreds. Despite reforms, Cuba lacks a democratic structure. Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela are to be mentione…

16 Sep

2026

EN Speech

Deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung

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Madam President, what we are witnessing in Hong Kong is a systematic undermining of freedoms that were once guaranteed. Since Beijing's introduction of the national security law in 2020, it has increasingly been used to silence journalists, publishers and pro-democracy activists. The arrest of bookseller and former journalist Leticia Wong, as well as the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-…

15 Sep

2026

EN Speech

Escalation in the Middle East (debate)

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Mr President, nearly every day, shots are fired at ships and drone attacks are made on pipelines. The conflict in the Gulf region is escalating and European drivers are already feeling the threat of a blockade of two oil trade routes at the petrol station. Last week alone, Iran attacked at least 10 merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and, at the same time, the Houthis have now seized key po…

8 Jul

2026

EN Speech

Ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre

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Madam President, I understand the anger of my colleagues, and the recent brutal killing of 28 Christians, including Pastor Markus Nyam, in Kawel village, is another reminder that religious persecution remains a tragic reality in Nigeria. We have to keep in mind that this was not an isolated incident. Across Nigeria, Christian communities continue to face repeated attacks from Boko Haram and other …

8 Jul

2026

EN Speech

The threat of war crimes, the escalating violations of international humanitarian law and the human rights situation in El-Obeid, Sudan

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Mr President, dear colleagues, as Commissioner Šuica mentioned, the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in El‑Obeid is yet another tragic reminder that the people of Sudan continue to pay the highest price for a conflict they did not choose. Reports of discriminate attacks on civilians, the destruction of vital infrastructure and the obstruction of humanitarian assistance raise serious concerns abo…

8 Jul

2026

EN Speech

The EU’s role in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the accountability of Israel under international law (topical debate)

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Mr President, my dear colleagues, reconstruction is an important step towards providing the people of Gaza with the prospect of returning to a semblance of normal life. Hopefully, it is soon possible. The EU conducted an assessment in April, together with the World Bank and the United Nations, finding out that we would need USD 71.4 billion to rebuild the Palestinian enclave. Reconstruction must g…

7 Jul

2026

EN Speech

2025 Commission report on Moldova (debate)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, Russia's brutal war of aggression has shown that there are no grey zones on our continent, no place for grey zones. We must therefore continue supporting all enlargement countries who are demonstrating willingness to progress on the path of EU integration. Moldova has shown a strong determination in the implementation of reforms, in the face of challenging circumstan…

7 Jul

2026

EN Speech

EU-Mexico (joint debate)

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Madam President, dear colleagues, for Europe to thrive in a multi-polar world, economic and political agreements are essential, especially with reliable and like-minded countries like Mexico. This is why the modernised strategic partnership agreement is so important. It is not only a trade agreement, it is a strategic investment in our common future. This partnership opens new opportunities for Eu…

17 Jun

2026

EN Speech

Political prisoners in Nicaragua – the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera

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Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, in Nicaragua, the political imprisonment of human rights defenders is not an isolated incident. Their detention is part of a broader campaign to dismantle democracy and suppress dissent. Tragically, Brooklyn Rivera, leader of an indigenous party, died after spending more than 970 days in detention. At the last EuroLat Asssembly, EPP and like-min…

16 Jun

2026

EN Speech

An EU future for the Western Balkans (joint debate)

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Mr President, enlargement is a fundamental building block for a stable and prosperous future for our continent, and it is good that all our rapporteurs mentioned this in a very clear and open way. As EPP rapporteur for Montenegro, I am delighted that the country is making strong progress. While there are still obstacles, all in all, Montenegro is on a right path, with strong politicians. We could …

16 Jun

2026

EN Speech

2025 Commission report on Türkiye (debate)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, a government cannot claim to be moving towards Europe, but is acting against all our democratic principles. Unfortunately, what we see in Turkey is exactly that. The reality is alarming: 28 mayors and 120 opposition officials have been arrested and removed from office, and Turkey now ranks 159th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. These are not iso…

16 Jun

2026

EN Speech

The role of the EU in efforts for peace and stability throughout the Middle East after the announced deal between the US and Iran (debate)

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Madam President, dear colleagues, even if the US‑Iran framework agreement is signed this Friday, the threats coming from Iran remain. The regime in Tehran is not only cruel and lawless towards its own people, but also towards the countries in the whole region with its attacks and, of course, with its sponsoring of terrorism. As Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula, I would…

20 May

2026

EN Speech

Repression and execution of protesters, dissidents, political prisoners and religious minorities in Iran

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Mr President, colleagues, behind the headlines of war and geopolitical confrontation, the Iranian regime is intensifying its repression against its own people. And it was mentioned already – Amnesty International published this Monday that at least 2 159 executions have been taken in 2025. Protesters are shot, students and journalists are detained, and torture and forced confessions remain instrum…

19 May

2026

EN Speech

EU–Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (joint debate)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, the Enhanced Partnership Agreement sends a signal of proactive approach in global affairs and in the increasingly important Central Asia region. This agreement is more than a technical update of the framework that has existed since 1999. It reflects a strategic reality: Central Asia matters more than ever for Europe, and Uzbekistan has become an increasingly importan…

19 May

2026

EN Speech

Recommendation on the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (debate)

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Madam President, dear colleagues, at a time of growing geopolitical instability, we see increasing pressure on the rules-based international order and the United Nations system itself. Therefore, I think the report sends the right message. Firstly, we have to continue supporting effective multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core; secondly, we have to support a reform of the UN system; …

19 May

2026

EN Speech

Political repression and humanitarian situation in Cuba (debate)

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Madam President, Cuba is facing its biggest crisis, with low productivity in the country but also because of the fuel blockade. Ninety percent of its 11 million people are suffering and living in poverty. We have to see this humanitarian and political situation in Cuba, and it remains concerning. And it is our duty, of course, to clearly call for the release of all political prisoners and for resp…

29 Apr

2026

EN Speech

Escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti

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Mr President, the situation in Haiti is deteriorating rapidly and it demands urgent international attention. What we are witnessing is not only a humanitarian crisis – it is a collapse of security and governance. Today, 90 % of Port-au-Prince is under gang control. Criminal groups are expanding their reach, undermining state authority and terrorising the population. The human cost is devastating: …

29 Apr

2026

EN Speech

Sudan’s abandoned humanitarian crisis: three years of conflict (debate)

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Mr President, dear colleagues, three years after the outbreak of war in Sudan, the conflict has turned into one of the gravest humanitarian catastrophes of our time. More than 150 000 people have lost their lives; over 14 million have been displaced. This crisis is not only a regional tragedy – when suffering reaches such a scale, it becomes our shared responsibility to act. In the face of this hu…

29 Apr

2026

DE Speech

The need to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish life in Europe, following the recent attacks against the Jewish community in the Netherlands and Belgium (debate)

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