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…

8

Jul

2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2025 Commission report on Moldova (debate)

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

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EU-Mexico (joint debate)

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

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

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

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An EU future for the Western Balkans (joint debate)

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

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2025 Commission report on Türkiye (debate)

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

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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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Political repression and humanitarian situation in Cuba (debate)

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

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Escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti

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

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

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

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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)

29

Apr

2026

DE Speech

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EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers (joint debate)

26

Mar

2026

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Global Gateway – past impacts and future orientation (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, I want to underline that Global Gateway has already delivered tangible results, only to mention three of them. First, across Africa the EU is investing in renewable energy infrastructure from large‑scale solar projects to emerging green hydrogen corridors. Second, we are expanding digital connectivity. And third, we are strengthening trade routes by upgrading port…

25

Mar

2026

DE Speech

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 March 2026 (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, The Heads of State and Government in their conclusions – but also today, at the beginning of our meeting, President Metsola – rightly stated that the war in Iran and the attacks on the Gulf States are, of course, not a regional crisis. They are a stress test – not only for Europe, but for the global economy. Not only do they question our energy supp…

11

Mar

2026

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The arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger

Mr President, dear colleagues, nearly three years after the military coup in Niger, the democratically elected President Bazoum and his wife remain detained by the military junta. They have been without proper access to lawyers or communication to the outside world. I had the chance to work with President Bazoum when I chaired the High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extre…

11

Mar

2026

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Human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular from Africa, for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine

Madam President, colleagues, Russia has started to recruit non‑Russian nationals, particularly from African countries. This practice is deeply alarming because many of these young men have been deceived by false promises of lucrative and safe jobs or educational opportunities. So far, more than 1 700 African citizens from 36 countries have been misled into fighting for Russia, mostly without prior…

11

Mar

2026

DE Answer

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EUCO and situation in the Middle East (joint debate)

11

Mar

2026

EN Speech

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EUCO and situation in the Middle East (joint debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, never forget this. The mullah regime in Iran, which is still in power, is a terror regime. UN sources reported that, in January, they killed more than 35 000 of their own people. Iran funds terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthis. Iran arms Russia with drones. And Iran was close to becoming a nuclear power. We should not forget, Iran has in its constitu…

10

Mar

2026

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Recommendation on enhanced EU-Canada cooperation in the current geopolitical context, including the threats to Canada’s economic stability and sovereignty (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, we must strengthen and deepen our relationship and our partnership with Canada. Canada is one of the most trusted partners and a close friend of Europe. And our cooperation is built on shared values – democracy, human rights – or our commitment to a rules-based international order, which is so important in these days. Our cooperation is deeply economic. Since the pro…