Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, dear Ylva Johansson, Putin's war in Ukraine has major repercussions far beyond the European continent. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the number of undernourished people in the world could increase from 8 to 19 million between 2022 and 2023 as a result of the war. Global food insecurity is an important driver of migration. We are already seeing some concrete signals. Between January and June this year, the EU received 410 000 asylum applications, compared to 206 000 – half of them – in the same period in 2021, including an increase in asylum applications for Tunisians and Egyptians. This situation could worsen significantly in the coming months. Commissioner, is the Commission analysing migration trends in third countries in order to anticipate these migrant flows? And second question: What support are we already providing to the third countries concerned? I would like to regret the absence of the Council and, like my colleagues, call for... (The President withdrew the floor to the speaker)

Madam President, Commissioner, Representative of the Czech Presidency of the EU, ladies and gentlemen, 2023 is yet another exceptional year for the EU budget due, in particular, to the consequences of the war in Ukraine. I say ‘again’ because 2021 and 2022 have already been done to address the health crisis. Europe, ladies and gentlemen, has risen to the occasion. But to live up to it, you have to give yourself the means. This is what we have done with the joint purchase of vaccines and the introduction of a European COVID Certificate. This is what we have also done with the adoption of an exceptional recovery plan and the principle of a common debt. It is by being more united, by ensuring better coordination between Member States that we are stronger together. There are many challenges ahead of us and our citizens expect us to tackle them at European level. However, as you know, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, we reach the limits of the multiannual financial contract only three years after its adoption. Inflation and rising energy prices affect all budgets, especially those of our institutions and agencies. They are the ones that make the European Union work. We must be exemplary in the management of this budget without hindering its operation in the service of citizens. I would like to thank my colleague Nicolae Ştefănuță, who was able to find a compromise with the various groups and propose an ambitious and necessary budget by setting priorities to deal with the major challenges ahead. The European budget is the cornerstone of our Union. It is essential for its proper functioning. Without this, the policies and reforms we are voting for here will have no chance of succeeding. Without this, for example, and this is central, the implementation of the Fit for 55 package and the Green Deal would only be a utopia. This budget is what allows us to live up to it. We must be faced with the rise of populism in Europe that makes Europe a scapegoat. We must also protect this budget from those who use it for their own purposes, without respecting the fundamental principles of the rule of law, which are the essential foundations of European integration. For this, we have the rule of law conditionality mechanism and we must not be afraid, colleagues, to use it. That is why I call once again on the Commission to use this mechanism to protect, Commissioner, this European budget.

Madam President, Mr Vice-President – dear Margaritis Schinas –, Mr Minister – dear Mr Bek – Romania and Bulgaria are part of the European family. It is time, it is high time to fully involve them in our area of free movement and to offer all their citizens the same rights. It is not just a symbol, it is another key step, after Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU 15 years ago in 2007. However, Commissioner, the strengthening of Schengen is also a security imperative, to ensure effective protection for all European citizens against the threats that point to Europe’s doorstep – the Russian war in Ukraine is a sad example of this. Under the French Presidency, President Macron pushed for the establishment of a new political governance of the Schengen area. Together with my group, Renew Europe, we are fully committed to the implementation of this project to strengthen the Schengen area, together with Romania and Bulgaria.

Mr President, Commissioner, for the second time, dear Didier Reynders, this report sets out our commitment to protecting the values of the European Union and also, Commissioner, all the progress we still have to make in order to ensure that the Union is an area where the rule of law applies, where the rights of women, minorities and LGBT people are protected and where the freedoms of citizens apply to all. In terms of fundamental rights, nothing is ever taken for granted. However, this factual state of affairs, documented, is not assumed by the far right. She rejected it even when the rapporteur, Mr Fest, who was no longer present, from the far-right group, decided to withdraw his name. I would like to thank Juan Fernando López Aguilar and all the shadow rapporteurs for their work. They took the matter into their own hands, noting that Mr Fest did not take responsibility for the number of serious violations committed by the populist and authoritarian regimes supported by his group. On the contrary, in my Renew Group we are convinced that in the face of the great challenges we face – the energy crisis, climate change, the digital revolution – our common values and fundamental principles are our best support.

– As you know, the subject of this debate is the situation in Hungary. You are referring to events that took place in France. These are the subject of a number of appeals to the French courts, because France is a rule of law. The debate deserves to be held and decisions will have to be taken, but in complete independence. This independence that the Hungarian judiciary would need so much and this press information on which the French judiciary can rely, which is absent in a Hungary where no free expression is possible today. That is the sad reality of Hungary. And this is the subject of the report we are debating this afternoon.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear Didier Reynders, great faithful of this Chamber in Strasbourg, ladies and gentlemen, if Hungary were a candidate today to join the European Union, well, that would not be possible, it would no longer fulfil the accession criteria. This is the sad observation in the report by my colleague Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield. It demonstrates, in a very precise and well-documented manner, the numerous serious violations of the principles of the rule of law, media freedom and judicial independence, as well as attacks on citizens’ freedoms. These violations, Commissioner, are also well documented in your excellent annual report on the rule of law in the EU. These violations are the responsibility of populist political leader Viktor Orbán and the system he has put in place. So what to do? We now have the tool of conditionality of EU funds. But as we know, it is insufficient, too segmented, too slow. The recovery plan for Hungary is a source of great concern for my colleagues in the Renew Group and beyond. Several colleagues, Katalin Cseh, Moritz Körner, Katarina Barley, expressed this view. Can you confirm to us, Commissioner, that you are not in any way considering the validation of the Hungarian recovery plan? (The speaker agreed to respond to a blue card intervention)

Madam President, Commissioner, dear Ylva Johansson, migration crises too often have devastating human consequences. Recent events in Melilla’s enclave sound like a bis repetita, an endless repetition, each time unacceptable. Let us collectively take stock of migration realities, rather than erecting ever-higher barriers. With the war in Ukraine and the rise in the price of agricultural raw materials, population displacement will intensify. I plead, Commissioner, for a continuation of the work initiated in particular by the French Presidency of the European Union, building a strong relationship and partnerships between the EU and third countries in our neighbourhood. It is a question of working for the economic development of these regions, from which these migratory flows leave and transit, and also of waging war against criminal networks and mafiosi who exploit the dreams or distress of migrants. Ladies and gentlemen, it is also a question of finally reaching a conclusion on the reform of the European asylum policy. We know the difficulties, but circumstances oblige us, ladies and gentlemen, to pursue a humane and responsible policy. Together with my Renew Group, we also call on the Czech Presidency to make a strong commitment to this end.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear Didier Reynders, for too long some Member States have not respected European values, without consequence. In the face of these repeated breaches of the rule of law, Europe is trying to mobilise. Your report, Commissioner, is of course an important founding document. The report we are discussing today proposes to go further to implement a number of corrective measures. Indeed, the state of affairs shows impediments to judicial independence, restrictions on freedom of the press and freedom of expression. But I think we all agree: the reports are not sufficient. What is the point of analysing, if the consequences are not drawn? What's the point of documenting if we don't act? The report offers it to you. As you said, Commissioner Didier Reynders, you want to go further. Of course, we have the procedure of the budget conditionality mechanism in place for Hungary. This is a good step, but with our group, with Sophia in 't Veld, who spoke earlier, we call for this report to be an even more operational tool for the conditionality of European funds. We therefore express strong expectations that the next edition – then, in September rather than July – will give rise to a wide-ranging debate and the construction of new tools; that this new report pursues this objective and makes specific recommendations – either country-by-country or in relation to specific objectives – to address the problems identified. We owe it to our journalists, to our judges – a special thought for the suspended Polish judges – and to all our citizens who are committed to democratic life.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear Johannes Hahn, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to congratulate my colleague, Nicolae Ştefǎnuţǎ, on his excellent work as rapporteur on the 2023 budget guidelines. He recalled the key priorities for our European Parliament, and his priorities reflect the demands of European citizens. First, the recovery of the economy to address the consequences of the pandemic, but also the impact of the Ukrainian conflict on energy prices and inflation. Secondly, a strong Union for Health. Thirdly, actions and investments for the climate and the green transition. Fourth, more opportunities for youth in the EU. Fifth, the promotion of the rule of law, European values and their proper application. And finally, a stronger Union for its citizens and in the rest of the world, in a very tense geopolitical context. Allow me, Commissioner, to insist on the application of budget conditionality linked to respect for the rule of law. The protection of the EU budget is obviously even more crucial at a time when the European Union is facing a new crisis and when – as you pointed out, Commissioner – the ceilings of the multiannual financial framework are becoming insufficient and therefore limiting. No penny will have to go into the hands of those who do not respect the rules of law and fiscal rules, i.e. freedom of expression, judicial independence and the fight against corruption. We admire and support the generous and constructive approach of the Polish people towards Ukrainian refugees, but that does not mean that we can turn a blind eye to the Polish government and forget the fundamental values on which the European Union is founded. We once again call on the Commission, Commissioner, to make full use of all the instruments at its disposal and to apply the Conditionality Regulation without delay for those Member States that are subject to an Article 7 procedure.

Madam President, Minister, dear Brigitte Klinkert, Commissioner, dear Ylva Johansson, on this day of 8 March, I would like to address the Ukrainian women and girls who are showing remarkable bravery, whether they are refugees or in support of their people in European countries. My thoughts are of course also with the Ukrainian people as a whole. The number of refugees arriving in the European Union has been unprecedented since the Second World War. The activation of temporary protection is a strong step forward and I welcome it, Commissioner. But we can do more for emergency reception and avoid long queues at points of entry into the EU – women, children, the elderly, vulnerable people waiting two or three days in some areas at border posts is unacceptable. Commissioner, I call for the immediate deployment of EU agencies. They have human and material resources to support national authorities in these procedures. In particular, I propose to deploy for the first time the pool of 500 national asylum experts – perhaps 200 or 300, but in any case a number – from the new European Union Agency for Asylum. Let us be European citizens at the rendezvous of this challenge. Let us stand together and be exemplary.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear Didier Reynders, almost two years after the pandemic and the disorderly closure of the internal borders of the Schengen area, Europe has learned and grown. Firstly, because the European COVID Certificate is an undeniable success, a symbol of a concrete and useful Europe. It is our main tool to ensure free movement in the EU. I want to testify to this here in Strasbourg, on the edge of Germany, as in all border regions. Secondly, because the Commission is committed and committed to guiding national measures towards a more harmonised approach. I would like to highlight two priorities that I believe are fundamental to making life even easier for Europeans, as my colleague Dita Charanzová said. First, the upgrade of the certificate for the third dose. This is important, and I regret that some states continue to impose additional entry conditions. Secondly, the issue of communication to citizens: the Re-open EU application is not bad, it provides information; but we could, for example, link it to the European COVID Certificate to simplify access to information on a single platform. I am pleased with this European success, but we must make further progress, Commissioner.

Madam President, Mr Vice-President, dear Margaritis Schinas, by orchestrating the instrumentalisation of migrants to put pressure on the EU’s borders, Belarusian leader Lukashenko has acted as a bandit, towards the European Union and its Member States, but above all towards the men, women and children who are victims of this unacceptable trafficking. I welcome the Commission’s strong mobilisation – and especially yours, Commissioner – the mobilisation of European and state diplomacy to negotiate with third countries of origin, organise returns, sanction Belarusian officials and complicit airlines. Faced with these new hybrid threats, Europe is expected on its ability to control its borders and protect its European citizens. Europe is also expected in terms of migration and, above all, humanitarian issues. I recognise with this proposal for a temporary derogation the Commission’s desire to formulate immediate solutions, but together with my colleagues from Renew Europe we stress that this system cannot weaken the fundamental principles of the right to asylum, invented on the European continent, as our President Emmanuel Macron has reminded us. Several conditions are essential and need to be added: It is necessary to allow the entry of people stranded between the two borders, especially Polish and Belarusian, who are now dying of cold. Dignified reception conditions, in line with the EU Directive, adequate care for families, minors and vulnerable people, monitoring by the Commission on the ground to ensure respect for individual procedures and rights, and asking states to accept assistance from agencies, including Frontex and EASO, must be ensured. Any derogation regime cannot be put in place without the firm commitment of the States concerned to compliance with the Geneva Convention on the Law of Refugees. Finally, these events recall how much we need a reform of the Pact on Migration and Asylum to ensure a fair balance between responsibility and European solidarity. I call on the Member States to be more proactive in order to achieve this without delay.

Madam President, Commissioner Margarítis Schinás, ladies and gentlemen, in its new Pact on Asylum and Migration, the Commission has failed to include a section on working opportunities in the European Union for third-country nationals, despite the requests of my Renew Europe Group. I am therefore very pleased with the proposals made by my colleague Abir Al-Sahlani in cooperation with all shadow rapporteurs and groups. Indeed, some key sectors of our economy are in significant need of labour. Moreover, key areas are already occupied by third-country workers. This has been said, for example, they represent 5% of carers in the EU. Our proposals also aim to reduce disparities between Member States in terms of access to the labour market and attractiveness for talent from third countries, while fully respecting Member States’ competence in this area. With this text, we call on the Commission (but you have told us that it will do so, Commissioner) to submit legislative proposals to better harmonise the conditions for entry of foreign workers into the European Union. And I also suggest, Commissioner, that you consider cooperation programmes for the training of the talent we recruit, in the third countries from which they come. This legal migration is a central objective for the attractiveness and competitiveness of the European Union.

Mr President, High Representative, dear Josep Borrell, the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border is appalling. Children, women and men are being used as weapons to destabilise our common European space. Faced with this new hybrid threat, the pillars of the European project – the integrity of our common borders and our humanist and peace values – are shaking. The manager – as several colleagues have said – is Lukashenko. It is against him that we must react firmly. Together with my colleagues from the Renew Europe Group, we wish, Mr High Representative, a strong and swift European response in support of Poland and Lithuania, the adoption of stronger sanctions against the Lukashenko regime and the sanctioning of airlines that increase flights to Belarus. On the substance, we will also need to revise the Schengen Code to establish a rapid response to these new hybrid threats. And then, with my colleague, Róża Thun, I would like to call on the Polish government, which refuses the support of our Frontex and Europol agencies. Protecting the external borders is everyone's business, and I want a Union of solidarity and unity.

Mr President, Madam President, Prime Minister, I do not recognise Poland, which joined the European Union in 2004 and which I had the honour of welcoming as mayor of Strasbourg. This Poland which aspired to freedom and democracy, and which you beautifully recalled, Madam President Ursula von der Leyen. Prime Minister, your country voluntarily and democratically joined the EU and ratified the Treaty of Lisbon in 2008. The judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal is in no way a judicial decision. Several have said so: it is a political act desired by your party. Why? To dissociate yourself from the judgments of the European Court of Justice that prevent you from continuing the benching of judges, the free media and your opponents. I invite you, Prime Minister, to listen to your people, who are demonstrating throughout the country to express their attachment to Europe; listen to these 22 former judges of the Constitutional Court and Marcin Wiącek, Ombudsman for Civil Rights, who condemn this decision. Poles are a great European people whose values and aspirations cannot be betrayed by a populist government. With my group, we will fight endlessly... (The President withdrew the floor to the speaker.)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the police and judicial fields are not immune to technological developments and among them, artificial intelligence is a new and powerful technology. The use of this tool has proven to be a real asset in certain criminal investigations, in the fight against terrorism or in border control. Thus, in the terrifying case of the Paris attacks of 13 November 2015, it was partly thanks to this artificial intelligence and facial recognition technique that investigators were able to identify, locate and arrest the alleged terrorists. However, it must of course be used under strict control. Indeed, its use must be limited and proportionate, and always be accompanied by human supervision. There must be genuine transparency with regard to the technologies used, as well as democratic and, above all, judicial control over their use, so as to avoid any bias and ensure respect for fundamental rights. Colleagues, the use of artificial intelligence in criminal cases can be an asset for criminal investigations and for European justice. Let us not deprive ourselves of it, while respecting fundamental freedoms.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear Ylva Johansson, rapporteur, dear Tanja Fajon, I would like to welcome the agreement on the Asylum, Immigration and Integration Fund and the Integrated Border Management Fund for the period 2021-2027. Both financial instruments are an expression of de facto solidarity between Member States on asylum and migration issues. For the next seven years, €16 billion will support projects supporting the reception of asylum seekers or the integration of refugees and better combat smuggling networks and irregular immigration. European agencies – I am thinking in particular of the European Asylum Agency and Frontex – also have an increasing role in these state support missions. Through these instruments, the EU will be able to finance material and human resources to improve the efficiency of asylum procedures in full respect of people’s rights. The EU will also benefit from a crisis reserve to assist a Member State in case of migratory pressure within a short timeframe. Finally, I would like to welcome the support made possible for local authorities carrying out integration projects and acting as closely as possible to the people.

Madam President, Minister, Commissioner, dear Ylva Johansson, I welcome this debate on the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Convention, because history is full of lessons. At a time when we are working on the difficult reform of European asylum and migration policy, we remember that this international treaty on the status of refugees was born in Europe, for Europeans. The ancestor of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the author and guardian of the Geneva Convention, was created after the Second World War, as you recalled, to take care of the millions of Europeans displaced within the Old Continent. No coincidence, therefore, if this text was signed as early as 1951, mainly by European countries, in the same year as the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. Horrors of war have resurfaced two strong aspirations: that of peace and that of refuge for every persecuted person. In 2015, the migration crisis shook the whole European edifice, as humanitarian reception is rooted in values and the European project from its very beginning. However, on the flaws of the Common European Asylum System, far-right parties and illiberal regimes have been thriving for several years and are planning to destroy Europe. I therefore fully associate myself with my colleagues in our Renew Europe Group, who are fully committed to an ambitious reform of the European asylum and migration policy – the action you call for, Commissioner. Several objectives seem to me to be priorities for renovating the spirit of Geneva. First, reform our asylum procedures to more quickly and effectively distinguish between those who are covered by international protection and those who are not. Then, 70 years after the Geneva Convention, it is time to complete our asylum policy with an indispensable element: de facto solidarity and shared responsibility between Member States. Let us no longer allow a few Member States of first entry to manage migration flows alone. Finally, thirdly, it is essential to put respect for fundamental rights at the heart of this reform and to strengthen the role of our European agencies on the ground. For more than a year, Europe has shown a tremendous capacity to take giant steps to overcome the health crisis with Health Europe, the recovery plan or own resources. The reform of the Pact on Migration and Asylum is our new impossible task - in the words of Renew Europe President Dacian Cioloș - and I am sure we can take it up, colleagues from Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Let us not wait for another migration crisis to act with courage and humanity.