What Reinhold spoke about.

10

Mar

2026

EN Speech

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EU enlargement strategy (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, we must always keep at the top of our minds that the future of the European countries that share our values lies in the European Union. Enlargement remains a strategic investment in peace, stability and prosperity in Europe. This has been our shared commitment, especially for the Western Balkans, since at least the Thessaloniki summit of 2003. Enla…

11

Feb

2026

EN Speech

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Systemic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran

Mr President, dear colleagues, Iranians continue to live under systematic oppression. Arbitrary detentions, killings and constant persecution are daily realities for those who challenge the regime – journalists, students, women and human rights defenders. They are particularly at risk. The use of arbitrary detention is a deliberate instrument of state repression. Citizens are imprisoned without fa…

10

Feb

2026

EN Speech

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Violence in the Great Lakes Region, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is deeply alarming. Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering from violence, displacement and extreme poverty. Entire communities live in fear, and vulnerable groups, especially women and children, pay the highest price. Therefore, we must be very clear: the sovereignty and territorial integrity of …

10

Feb

2026

DE Speech

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Spain’s large-scale regularisation policy and its impact on the Schengen Area and EU migration policy (debate)

10

Feb

2026

EN Speech

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Urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and to achieve a sustainable peace (debate)

Mr President, what we see in Sudan today is the collapse of the state. For years, civilians have been paying the price through hunger, displacement, sexual violence and the killing of thousands of people. More than an entire generation is being pushed to the brink, while humanitarian access is deliberately obstructed. Civilians are being actively targeted through attacks on hospitals or markets. E…

10

Feb

2026

EN Speech

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Situation in Northeast Syria, the violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire (debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the situation in Syria is fragile and complex. First, especially in north‑east Syria, the UN reports that more than 170 000 displaced people need humanitarian assistance. Second, another big issue are the detention camps like Roj and al-Hol. I had the chance to visit an Austrian woman with her two children in the Roj camp. Over 28 000 people are in…

21

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong

Madam President, today we are confronted with a disgrace that shows the true nature of the Chinese Communist Party: the conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai is not justice, it is political revenge. His trial was a shame. Let us be clear: this isn't just about Jimmy Lai, it is about the Chinese Communist Party that suppresses dissent wherever it exists – targeting journalists, minorities…

21

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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Presidential elections in Honduras, the non-recognition of the outcome by the incumbent administration and the attacks on opposition members of the National Assembly

Madam President, let me start with the key point. The election was in line with modern international electoral standards. Voter turnout was high and there was no evidence of systematic irregularities on the election day. Nasry Asfura won the presidential elections. He is a successful former two-term mayor of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. But what is deeply concerning, however, is the react…

21

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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Preparations for the EU-India summit (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, India, the world's most populated country, is already our partner. We are not at the beginning of a partnership. The EU-India trade exchange is substantial. We reached, in 2024, an exchange of goods around EUR 120 billion, and our trade has tripled in the past two decades. This is precisely why we must now conclude a comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreemen…

21

Jan

2026

DE Answer

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European Council meeting (joint debate)

The concept of the European People's Party has been very clear since the founding fathers. Of course, we see the European Union as a structure that respects subsidiarity. But on the big issues, we need European decisions. And this Commission has now shown that we are doing everything we can to strengthen the business location again. Yes, there have been excessive regulations in the last period, bu…

21

Jan

2026

DE Speech

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European Council meeting (joint debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, To begin with, let me be clear: Our full solidarity is with the people of Greenland. Sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected without exception by all the countries of the world, and there must never be a decision over the heads of the people of Greenland and Denmark. What I do not understand here is that the so-called patriots for Europe are sile…

20

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2025 (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, this report shows that human rights are increasingly under siege across the world and civic spaces are shrinking. The EU has long prided itself on being a global standard bearer for human dignity, freedom and the rule of law. Our actions, more than ever, must match our convictions. A deeply troubling trend is the resurgence of the death penalty across the globe. T…

20

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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Situation in Venezuela following the extraction of Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, Nicolas Maduro – who systematically undermined democratic institutions and silenced opposition – is not any more in power. This is a positive step, but it cannot be seen as a solution for the future of the country. The transition to democracy can only be legitimate if it emerges from the Venezuelans themselves through free and fair elections – of course under inte…

18

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton-Paris Peace Agreement (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, 30 years ago, the Dayton Peace Agreement was an essential step to stabilise the situation in the Western Balkans region, but it also left Bosnia and Herzegovina with a difficult political situation. I had the chance to observe elections in the country several times and I witnessed these difficulties. Unfortunately, there have been rising tensions. At a time when the …

17

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria, including from St Mary's Catholic school in Papiri

Madam President, colleagues, when children are no longer safe in their schools, a nation's future is under siege. What happened in Papiri, Nigeria, is a tragedy that must shake us all. Children must be able to learn in safe schools, and schools cannot become a battlefield. Nigeria continues to face horrific violence, not only from Boko Haram, but also from bandits turning kidnapping into a busines…

17

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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The deepening democratic crisis in Georgia (debate)

Mr President, colleagues, over the past year we have been witnessing a decline in the state of democracy in Georgia. While Georgia achieved candidate status for EU accession in 2023, the country is sadly currently experiencing backtracking on its path toward European integration. A key concern is the increasing repression of the free media. Yesterday, we were able to award the Sakharov Prize to Mz…

17

Dec

2025

DE Speech

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Preparation of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025, in particular the need to support Ukraine, transatlantic relations and the EU’s strategic autonomy (debate)

Madam President, Dear colleagues! This week is a crucial one and the European Council will have to show that the European Union stands firmly and decisively with Ukraine. That's crucial. The Council summit must agree on key points. Member States need to agree on continued and reliable financial support to Ukraine. Only strong Western security guarantees will ensure the sovereignty and independence…

16

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Recent developments in Palestine and Lebanon (debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, over the past months, we have seen a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas take hold. In the Gaza Strip, a lasting peace is still a long way off. We must recognise that Israel has the right and the duty to protect its citizens from terrorism. This right remains non-negotiable. At the same time, we know that security for Israel can only be achi…

15

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Relations between the EU and Saudi Arabia (short presentation)

Mr President, thank you, rapporteur, for your report. The report shows that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key partner of the European Union in terms of economic relations, and a central actor in regional stability. The country, as you mentioned, is undergoing profound transformation. As Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula, I have the opportunity to witness firsthand th…

26

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Post-election killings and the deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu

Mr President, dear colleagues, the absolutely rigged elections in Tanzania, the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation and the life‑threatening case of Tundu Lissu demand our united voice. After the 29 October elections, the country experienced widespread protests, and the state's response was extremely brutal. Amnesty International documented over 100 deaths during the security force crackd…

26

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, we must work towards the closest possible constructive, pragmatic and forward-looking relationship between the EU and the UK. EU Member States and the UK are bound by security, economic, trade, political and social ties. That is why the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement remains so important. The TCA offers preferential terms, like zero tariffs, for Austria and…

25

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Political situation in Myanmar including the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya (debate)

Madam President, colleagues, the situation in Myanmar causes immeasurable suffering for civilians and especially for the Rohingya people. Since the beginning of the conflict, 3.2 million people have been displaced – 1.8 million of them since 2023. And the situation is getting worse. The junta is now deliberately terrorising civilians; hospitals, schools and churches have been bombed; and leaving t…

25

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Escalation of the war and the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan (continuation of debate)

Madam President, all colleagues mentioned that Sudan is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with over 25 million people suffering acute food insecurity. Millions are displaced and there is widespread violation of human rights. The conflict has devastated civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, and intensified violence. And we have to stop these atrocities and killings. Therefore, I think the …

25

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Effective use of the EU trade and industrial policy to tackle China’s export restrictions (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, one year ago Mario Draghi delivered a strong message: securing critical raw materials will mean diversifying away from countries that were the cheapest suppliers in the world of yesterday. Today, this challenge is more urgent than ever. Over 80 % of the largest European companies depend directly on China's rare earth producers according to the European Central Ban…

24

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process and the new pact for the Mediterranean (debate)

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the pact for the Mediterranean reminds us that the region strongly affects Europe's security and economy and our stability as a Union. But there are many challenges in the region. Libya still faces a fragmented political landscape, with competing authorities and a lack of progress on national reconciliation. In Syria, the overall humanitarian si…