What Matjaž spoke about.

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SL Written Statement

Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar (debate)

Sport connects. Sport unites. Football is a phenomenon that goes beyond politics and teaches us about the values of teamwork, collegiality, the values of life. This is the football we want to play, watch it, identify with it. Unfortunately, this is not the case during the World Cup in Qatar. There are too many unanswered questions that the country has been unable or unwilling to answer since 2010 …

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EN Written Statement

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

The EU today speaks about the consequences of the tragedy unfolding in the Middle East, about humanitarian suffering, displacement, and instability. But it remains strikingly silent about its root causes, the USA and Israeli illegal war against Iran. We are treating the symptoms while deliberately avoiding the diagnosis. We are witnessing a Union that does not dare to look reality in the eyes. A U…

8

Jul

2026

EN Speech

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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, Commissioner, the situation in Gaza is dire. But we must also draw attention to the situation of the West Bank, where Israeli forces are actively cooperating with the violent settlers, ignoring court decisions and international law, and facilitating attacks on innocent Palestinian families. From the beginning of the war, settlers and the IDF have killed at least 1 160 Palestinians in…

16

Jun

2026

SL Question

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An EU future for the Western Balkans (joint debate)

Honourable President, Honourable Commissioner, Honourable Colleagues. As one of the negotiators, I would like to draw attention to Bosnia and Herzegovina today. While Montenegro is on the verge of joining the European Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina, it seems, remains trapped in political blockades that have been preventing reforms and European progress for years. Its citizens are becoming and remai…

19

May

2026

SL Speech

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

Mr President, honourable High Council. If we want the United Nations to remain effective, credible in the face of growing global challenges, then we must strongly support its reform, stand up for the strengthening of multilateralism and full respect for international law. The fact is that the UN and its agencies remain indispensable, especially in conflict zones, where they often represent the las…

19

May

2026

SL Speech

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Question Time with the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - EU’s strategy to address the current crises in the Middle East

You say, dear High Representative, we don't have numbers. You're saying we don't have support. But we have a clear problem in the implementation of international law in our own ranks, that is, in this idea that was built on the Peace Pact. I therefore suggest that you: so that, in order to relieve you of the pressure you are under, you can simply pass that pressure on to the Member States. Put san…

19

May

2026

SL Speech

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Question Time with the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - EU’s strategy to address the current crises in the Middle East

Madam President, honourable High Representative. Europe continues to hide behind diplomatic words. I'm sure you'll agree with me when innocent civilians are still dying on the ground. War criminals remain unpunished. Israel's apartheid has wiped out the Palestinian people and bombed Lebanon. The EU cannot be a global peacemaker and mediator if it uses double standards – those in Africa, Asia, Euro…

19

May

2026

SL Speech

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EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems (debate)

Madam President! The European Union is facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Attacks on hospitals, energy networks and public institutions are no longer an exception, but a new reality. At the same time, we see the use of artificial intelligence to create deep fake images, disinformation, attacks on politicians, journalists and, of course, civil society. But the debate is not black and …

29

Apr

2026

EN Speech

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Topical debate requested by a political group (PfE) (Rule 169) - Commission interference in democratic process and elections (topical debate)

Dear colleagues, today's debate proposed by the extreme right is completely misplaced. The EU's limitation of illegal content and disinformation online is not interfering; it is the opposite. It is the protection of our democracies, like it or not. The interference of the European elections came from outside the EU – like what we have experienced in my home country, Slovenia. This is the real thre…

11

Mar

2026

SL Speech

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Rise of political violence, notably by far-left organisations (debate)

10

Mar

2026

SL Speech

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EU enlargement strategy (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner Marta Kos, colleagues!  Enlargement is not a choice, it is a necessity. Socialists and Democrats have been convinced of this for decades. Why? This is one of the EU’s most important geostrategic investments, namely in peace, security, stability and prosperity. Values that everyone around us lives on today: Russia, United States, Iran, Israel. This is why an…

10

Mar

2026

EN Speech

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Guidelines for the 2027 budget - Section III (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, we are debating the 2027 budget at a moment of unprecedented global volatility. But if we want the EU to be a credible geopolitical actor, we must put our money where it's truly needed. Yet our external funding remains a drop in the ocean compared to many challenges at our borders. And the current crisis in Iran does not help either. First, we must help reso…

9

Mar

2026

EN Speech

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Order of business

Madam President, this one is urgent. Dear colleagues, I have a proposal pursuant to Rule 164 of the Rules of Procedure. In a world where international law and order is being increasingly dismantled by Trump, Putin and Orbán, and is now being rejected even by von der Leyen and Merz, peace is at stake. The future of Europe, too. This is why Pedro Sánchez standing up to Trump in the support of intern…

12

Feb

2026

EN Question

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Recommendation to the Council on EU priorities for the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, gender equality is not a slogan. It is a core European value and condition for real democracy. The EU, in the UN, must speak with a clear voice: women's rights are human rights and access to justice is essential. Too many women and girls still face laws and systems that doubt them and that fail to protect them. We must invest more in fair and gender-sensitive justice…

11

Feb

2026

SL Speech

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State violence in Minneapolis and the rule of law in the United States (topical debate)

Madam President! The events in Minneapolis reveal the brutal consequences of the work of ICE. This is institutional racist violence by the Trump administration, which has no accountability, no transparency and no respect for the rule of law. Massive violent deportations, kidnappings and family break-ups are clearly America's new dream of trump. Even the killings of innocent citizens Good and Prett…

10

Feb

2026

SL Speech

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

Mr. President! The situation in Sudan represents the largest humanitarian catastrophe and the largest crisis of displaced people in the world. The conflict has already claimed more than 200,000 victims. Like Gaza, Sudan is a moral and political defeat of the international community. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that Sudan has witnessed the worst war crimes and crimes agains…

10

Feb

2026

SL 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 High Council! The latest ceasefire agreement is a rare opportunity for peace in Syria. And this should be based on an idea based on dialogue and not on weapons. Stability without justice and peace is not without inclusion. The ceasefire must be fully realised. Every violation means less access to healthcare, more obstacles to humanitarian aid and more suffering for civilians. T…

21

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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European Council meeting (joint debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, since the last Council meeting, the list of brutal violations of the international order and law has grown significantly. The Trump administration abducted Maduro, is seriously threatening the Iranian regime, is announcing an aggressive takeover of Greenland. At the same time, it is maintaining close relations and cooperation with the Zionist Prime Minister of Isr…

18

Dec

2025

SL Speech

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

17

Dec

2025

SL Speech

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The deepening democratic crisis in Georgia (debate)

Mr President, Honourable High Council! Today's debate on Georgia is no longer just a warning, it is a description of the reality that the country is very quickly moving from democracy to authoritarianism. The regime systematically undermines the opposition, criminalises civil society, attacks independent media and abuses legislation to silence critical voices. Democracy does not die overnight, it …

17

Dec

2025

EN 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)

Mr President, dear colleagues, Europe faces the most demanding geopolitical moment in decades. Long-standing partners, including the United States, are stepping back. We struggle to build new alliances, especially to the east. Mercosur comes to mind. Internally, we are deeply divided. Some traditional supporters of a democratic and united Europe, are now aligned with increasingly extreme and destr…

16

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Recent developments in Palestine and Lebanon (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, there is no ceasefire, if one side breaks it over and over again. The UN warns that, since the beginning of the truce, Israel has violated the ceasefire in Lebanon more than 10 000 times in one year, and in Gaza, in the last 60 days, more than 700 times. How can there be peace when the killing continues, including of children? How can there be peace if systematic vio…

16

Dec

2025

SL Speech

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European Citizens’ Initiative ‘My voice, my choice: for safe and accessible abortion’ (debate)

25

Nov

2025

SL Speech

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2026 budgetary procedure: joint text (debate)

Madam President, dear Minister, dear ministers, tomorrow the European Parliament will vote on the European Union's budget for the next year. A deal was successful in the early morning hours on Saturday 15 November. This is a good deal for Europe and a good deal for our citizens. Iides to sincerely thank the many people responsible for the result, but especially my opinions, you, Commissioner, and …

13

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025 (debate)

Madam President, the meeting of European leaders has brought mixed conclusions. On the one hand, I welcome the first ever discussion on housing, which together with the cost-of-living crisis is one of the most important issues for our citizens. The Commission must now follow up as soon as possible with a concrete plan for affordable housing. Unfortunately, on the other hand, the summit completely …