Speeches

Mr President, what are we doing in Europe? Supporting plans that make Europe safer, freer and more prosperous. They can make life easier. Like this directive, the right to repair. As a result, products can be repaired cheaper and easier. And if it is good, it will also be better for our earth and the world around us. It is especially important that people in the Netherlands and Europe can trust that we make their lives easier and safer and that we make good laws. This directive is an example of this. It is especially important that we always have an eye for the people who want them to be able to rely on us and that we take steps. I've been working on that lately. Always with an eye for your life. And that's why, since this is my last speech, I want to thank everyone. My husband, my family, my team, my colleagues and the people around me. I know we're living in a difficult time that seems dark and confusing. After this mandate, I would therefore like to look for points of light to combine those points of light for you and to work for a safer and freer Europe.

Mr President, what has just happened in this House, the European Parliament, is a disgrace. MEP Marcel de Graaff has expressed propaganda of an unprecedented order about us here. I sincerely wonder: Who pays Marcel de Graaff for this Russian propaganda? Now I'll continue my speech in English. Because an innocent looks on. Hope drowns her pleading eyes. The endless pain of wars. ‘Please end this war,’ she cries. When I think about all the children forcibly deported, as a mother, my heart cries. I saw those who pay the price with evil all around them. I come here to call for more sanctions. We must understand the extent of a state-backed network from both Russia and Belarus. We must find and punish those criminals. There are at least a dozen state officials who have been identified but not sanctioned yet. And what about the foster families in Russia who are receiving the displaced minors? Sanctions as well. What about the children whose pleading eyes cry ‘please bring me home’? Are we doing enough? We cannot go back to sleep. It will haunt us. We must be awakened. Oh, children! Turn back. You’re only young once.

Mr President, the world is becoming increasingly turbulent, uncertain and unsafe. Wars and instability are the conversation of the day at the kitchen tables. There are new challenges on the world stage, of which China is the largest. A China that wants to control international trade with corporate espionage and massive state aid. If we want to protect our own jobs and markets, the West must join forces. In this light, the new trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand is good news. But let this be a stepping stone to more deals. With Australia, with the US, with Mercosur. The EU must be more firmly anchored in trade blocs, especially with the possible return of Trump next year. Because in this case size does matter in this uncertain world. Only a united Western bloc can protect our prosperity.

Mr President, is there a crack in your smartphone screen, does water leak from your washing machine or does your vacuum cleaner look broken? We've all been through this before and it's very annoying. When products break down, we quickly replace them with new ones to buy. But there are also cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives. Namely repair. And with this new law, it will be easier, cheaper and more durable to repair broken products. How are we gonna do this? For example, by stimulating the repair market. More spare parts will also be available. It should also become more attractive for repair cafes and small-scale repairers to just do their job. No more unnecessary administration, because by repairing more, we ensure that products last longer and reduce the amount of waste. And it's good for your wallet. In this way, we all save a lot of money, pay attention to the environment and encourage companies to deal with products in a more sustainable way. And your oh-so-loved smartphone, washing machine or vacuum cleaner? It's as good as new.

How is money made in the Netherlands? This is done through trade. Thanks to trade, we have jobs and prosperity in the Netherlands, in Europe and around the world. And if we need raw materials, for example for electric cars, we need trade with other countries. Without trade, there is neither prosperity nor a green transition. We need trade for our position as the Netherlands in the world. Trade agreements can do that, we can go through that green transition, we can create jobs and we can ensure that the Netherlands and Europe are safer and stronger. But it is strange that it turns out to be so difficult to conclude trade agreements. Commissioner, I would like to ask you to show ambition on trade agreements during the last period of your mandate, because China is not waiting. And are we waiting? Mr President, we must now move forward as quickly as possible with new trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico and Mercosur.

Mr President, the Netherlands, my country, earns a third of its wealth from exports. As many as 2 million jobs are due to this. That is why we must now move forward with new trade agreements. A new agreement on critical minerals with America is a positive step. But we need a lot more. The EU and America must work together to reduce dependence on China as much as possible. Therefore, we should not just talk about critical minerals for batteries. This is about much more. (addresses Commissioner Ferreira) That is why I would like you, Madam, to see as soon as possible how we can benefit from a new transatlantic trade cooperation. This could lay the groundwork for new discussions on a trade agreement between the European Union and the United States.

Mr President, the situation for the people of Uganda is shocking. Coming out for your orientation – the most normal thing in the world – can easily result in imprisonment or even the death penalty. This is for Ugandans who just want to be themselves, hell on earth. The Ugandan government is abusing completely innocent citizens to distract the rest of the population from the real problems in the country, such as corruption, the arrest of journalists and the dismantling of the rule of law. This tactic is being used in more and more countries and this is worrying. I therefore want the European Commission to take immediate action. We will not reward countries with trade benefits and free access to our European market when they decide to impose the death penalty on LGBTI people. I think that's perfectly clear. These trade benefits should be withdrawn immediately. We can't be quiet about this. We need to take action. This has to stop.

Mr President, more than 16 000 lives will never be the same again. This is the number of Ukrainian children forcibly brought to Russia. This forced deportation violates international humanitarian law and is an absolute war crime that should not go unpunished. Last month, in a letter to Mr Borrell, I called for tougher action against these perpetrators and increased sanctions. The Netherlands has a leading role in this. With The Hague as an international city, I trust that in addition to the existing International Criminal Court, my country is the ideal place for the establishment of a Ukraine Tribunal. I fully support the arrest warrant against Putin. All EU Member States have a duty to execute this arrest warrant. We also need to use the diplomatic route to help bring the children back. Every child deserves to get home safely. It has gone wrong more than 16,000 times. Every deportation is one too many. This should never happen again.

When we talk about protecting our jobs, we need to tackle unfair competition from China and become less dependent on China together with the US. It is a step in the right direction that we will work together – as you said – on critical raw materials such as batteries. Moeten wij uiteindelijk niet gaan toewerken naar een meer ambitieuze en bredere samenwerking op het gebied van handel tussen de EU en de VS? More trade would also create more jobs on both sides.

Last week, President von der Leyen was with President Biden in Washington DC to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act. This is a subsidy package of hundreds of billions of euros that will boost US production, often at the expense of European production. I had hoped that von der Leyen would come back with an agreement for European companies, so that they would be eligible for certain subsidies. Unfortunately, I didn't see an appointment. When we talk about strengthening the transatlantic relationship, European companies deserve the same exception that American trading partners, such as Mexico and Canada, also get. In this way, we can protect European jobs. My question to you is: Will European companies get the same status that other trading partners of America already have?

Last week, President von der Leyen was with President Biden in Washington DC to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act. This is a subsidy package of hundreds of billions of euros that will boost US production, often at the expense of European production. I had hoped that Von der Leyen would come back with an appointment... (The President interrupted the speaker)

Mr President, Commissioner, in recent years the gaming industry has grown considerably thanks to many small and medium-sized enterprises. This has created a lot of technological development and jobs in the EU. It is certain: The gaming industry has a lot of potential. But let's also consider who uses these games. At least three-quarters of gamers are between six and fourteen years old. Children should not be exposed to extreme violence and aggressive commercial advertising in online games. Be insured: on online gaming sites, we will do everything we can to prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. We do this by setting requirements for clear information about the minimum age of games. We also do this by taking strict action against manipulative practices in games, such as the use of loot boxes. Finally, I call on the European Commission, in cooperation with industry, to develop new tools to encourage grooming in chat rooms and on gaming sites. I would also like to encourage the Commission to optimise video hashing technologies. This will allow us to address the growing problem of child sexual abuse in games and create a safer online environment. Every child in Europe deserves it.

Mr President, the 30-year anniversary of the European single market. I think we should be proud of the achievements and the opportunities which our European single market has brought us. Our SMEs especially should be acknowledged as the driving force behind this success, and they are the backbone of our European economy. But, we should not take all these benefits for granted. Some do – don’t. Our European single market is not something we can afford to lose. The single market is a fundamental tool to foster our strategic autonomy, which is much needed in these current times. I don’t think by subsidies, but by strengthening our strategic sectors and by ratifying more trade agreements, we are strong. I believe our cooperation within the single market has proven crucial in responding to the crises we have faced so far. But we need to do more, and for the future, we shall continue our commitment and remain ambitious towards further development, because we really need to do more. We should actively support our SMEs and ensure a level playing field for our own businesses. Don’t take our European single market for granted.

Dear Commissioner, for our security we need to prevent Chinese companies from investing in our critical infrastructure for strategic purposes. Look at the recent investment in the port of Hamburg, Huawei, 5G or Nuctech and the scanners at our airports. It’s all about security. Do we really understand that? As Europe, we need to close our back door for such Chinese strategic investments. My question to the Commissioner would be, will the Commission propose a European list of strategic sectors so that we have a clear, straightforward path to counter China?

Mr President, you have never seen your grandparents because they live in another country. No passport. A false start. This is the current reality for the almost three-year-old girl Sara, who does not receive a birth certificate from the Bulgarian authorities and is in fact stateless. Just because she has two mothers. Something that other children simply get at birth is taken away from Sara. As far as the VVD is concerned, this will no longer be possible in 2022. A child should never suffer. I therefore call on the Commission and you, Commissioner Dalli, to come up with a good legislative proposal as soon as possible. Rainbow families also deserve to be just a family. For a parent in one country remains a parent in another country.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, let me start by saying that the brave Ukrainian men, women and children are the victims of this brutal war waged by President Putin. The number of people killed, the millions of women and children fleeing and the level of destruction in the country are devastating. As the cold winter season has now started, many are left in the cold, including many children. That is why it’s important that we as the EU give this financial support to Ukraine. We must help rebuild Ukraine. The Dutch Government proposed to see whether it can adopt the city of Kherson; how great it would be if every EU Member State adopted one city, town or region of Ukraine. Step by step, Europe would be rebuilding Ukraine. War has been raging for nine months now. I want to make one thing clear by quoting the first verse of the Ukrainian anthem: ‘Ukraine has not yet perished, nor her glory, nor her freedom’. Nor will it perish, because our common values of freedom and democracy are stronger than any despicable act of aggression by Russia. Ukraine, Europe is with you until this end of this war, and Europe will be with you once the war will be over.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, this is my first debate in plenary, so very honoured to be here. We in the European Union thrive from an open market and as the world’s largest trading bloc, we shall continue to prosper from open and free trade with our partners. At the same time, the world around us has changed. For many years, we are seeing that not everyone is playing by the same rules and that many countries keep their procurement markets closed for European companies, all of this while those countries continue to benefit from our openness. Whether we are talking about the construction of roads and bridges, dredging rivers or selling metro stations, we see more and more foreign state—owned enterprises participating in European tenders – for instance, the Pelješac bridge in Croatia, which was built by a Chinese state-owned company with EU funds. All of this is currently possible while European companies can often not participate in tenders in China. And China is not the only country where we are seeing closed doors. We want open and free trade. But let one thing be clear: we need to draw a line somewhere. We need to avoid seeing unfair situations elsewhere in Europe, also in my home country, the Netherlands. So in order to continue to prosper, we will need fair trade, because our businesses, big and small, are the backbone of our economy. We will finally be able to make it harder for foreign companies to win tenders here or even to exclude them as long as their countries are not opening their markets to European companies. We want to keep our openness, but you have to open as well.