Speeches

Mr. President! We live in a world where women build our society, but at the same time die in their homes. Every day 140 women die as a result of violence. Femicide happens every 10 minutes. Statistics are an alarming reminder that we have failed as a society. Violence against women is a violation of fundamental human rights and requires our collective responsibility. That is why we need a redefinition of sexual violence based on the model of "just yes means yes" at the level of the entire European Union. Slovenia is an example of good practice. Gender-based violence must be classified as an EU crime under Article 83 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Five Member States of the European Union have not yet ratified the Istanbul Declaration. I therefore call on Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia to put themselves on the side of protecting women. Let's start by creating a society that will not tolerate any form of violence. To quote Kofi Annan: Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful violation of human rights and perhaps the most widespread. It knows no geographical, cultural or income boundaries. As long as it exists, we cannot claim to be progressing towards unity, development and peace.

Madam President! Dear High Council! The effects of climate change are worsening every year and more than fifty different conflicts are taking place around the world. They testify above all to the dark side of human nature. We would be naive in the belief that we do not feel all the consequences both on the moral, human level and, of course, on the tangible ones. Strengthening a common European strategy on civil and defence preparedness is therefore essential. The ability to anticipate, prevent, manage and rapidly respond to all types of threats is crucial for our security. But today, more than ever, we need above all a peace strategy, a strategy to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, to put an immediate end to the horrific genocide in Gaza and the attacks on innocent civilians in Lebanon and the entire Middle East region, and to provide them with urgent humanitarian assistance and a perspective – to live at home, in their own country. Ensure a peaceful future for all generations, for all our children.

Madam President! It is not the policy of Pedro Sanchez or that of Spain that is the problem, but the ineffective and integrated migration policy of the European Union, which is not yet operational. Today, migration is driven by complex causes and crisis hotspots around the world, and our problem is not returns. But on the contrary, our biggest problem is that Europe continues to fund authoritarians in North Africa who are brutally oppressing their own citizens. As well as that Europe supports coastguards, who at the same time play the role of human smugglers. And also that Europe continues to send weapons to crisis hotspots as well as to Israel. How can Europe pretend so short-sightedly that our policies and actions have no consequences? Of course they have them. After eight years, we approved the Pact on Migration and Asylum before the elections this year. Although not ideal, it offers answers to the challenges of migration. Now we need to focus on the implementation of the adopted package, as well as on integration, effective treatment and, of course, on reception. But not on the likes of measures and words that will not really have an effect, as well as immigration to Albania. And by doing so, we will only accelerate and amplify the flow across the Western Balkans and, of course, accelerate its route to the north.

Madam President! Dear High Assembly, geopolitical challenges, conflicts, climate change, natural disasters require a robust European budget from the Union. This must necessarily have an enhanced social dimension, and I therefore welcome, first and foremost, Parliament's requests for an increase in funding for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. This may not be sufficient for all needs, but it is a good support for countries. I have been able to taste this in my home country. The budget is also geared towards supporting the green transition and towards cohesion policy, which must not only be a crisis response tool, but also a means of promoting the European economy and the quality of life of Europeans. I would like to emphasise in particular our moral duty to stand up for peace, always and everywhere, and to defend international law. This should also be clearly reflected in the future budget. Enhanced Union funding for the livelihood of the Palestinian people is therefore crucial. Thank you for a beautiful and happy European Union.

Madam President, dear colleagues, what is happening in Lebanon and in Gaza must shock us. With impunity, Israel is daily committing war crimes. While rejecting peace, Netanyahu got what he wanted: a regional war and destabilised neighbours. He turned the region into his playground. In the strongest terms, I condemn Israel's attack on the UN peacekeeping mission and civilian infrastructure. So, dear colleagues, I ask you: when did we accept that it is okay to bomb a school just because a shooter is hiding inside? So I have this message for a certain EU minister. A civilian can never be – and I stress – is never a legitimate target. People in Lebanon are desperate. They urgently need our help. We must immediately open a humanitarian bridge. The country is on the verge of collapsing. I join calls for the implementation of the UN Resolution 1701. We need an immediate ceasefire. We need peace now!

Madam President, dear colleagues, let us be very clear: the EU has strict rules in place which control and oversee the financing of the budget. Those rules were even reinforced last year with clear provisions and excluding any financing of terrorism. Today's debate that was put forward has nothing to do with terrorism, but is simply placed in the hands of the Netanyahu Government's agenda and their systematic attacks on UNRWA – the organisation which is a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees – with only one goal: that is the dehumanisation of Palestinian people and ethnic cleansing. The proposal for this debate is deeply rooted in racism, and it's based on levels of racism and extremism which we have not seen since World War Two. The attack on UNRWA and the United Nations is an attack on humanity and an attack on common values, international law and institutions. I strongly reject those attempts and this narrative. Let us remain human and on the right side of the history. Good luck.

Madam President, dear colleagues, what we are seeing in the Middle East is horror. We know how complex the region is, and tensions are running high for decades. Since the brutal Hamas attack a year ago, the whole Middle East has been drawn into this nightmare. Too many innocent people are dying every day since. Israel bombed seven different countries in the last week. International law and institutions are breaking down in front of our eyes. Europe and US must stop sending Israel arms! Our weapons are killing innocent people, more than a million people have already fled Lebanon, and the world leaders are saying nothing. There are no calls for peace, and we need a ceasefire on all fronts now. If only Israel accepts peace, hostages will be free. The wars can end. Otherwise, we must impose strong sanctions against Israel, suspend the Association Agreement, ban trade with the settlements and sanction extremists on all sides, including the Israeli Government. We demand action now. The agony must end.

Dear President! The world seems to have been put to a serious test. We are facing one of the darkest periods since the end of the Second World War. The conflict in the Middle East is escalating sharply, especially as those most in need of peace are the ones who reject it the most. The situation also remains serious in Ukraine and in more than fifty hotspots around the world. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly evident that not all lives are equal, as well as that the foundations of international cooperation, which we laid together after the Second World War, are seriously threatened. Increasingly, we are also faced with increasingly severe natural disasters. Our thoughts are with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina these days. So, honourable ones, we need a strong and united European response to crises and global conflicts and decisive action by the leaders of the European Union. With everything we have, we must stand up for peace and dialogue. Let us not succumb to the demonization of all those who set up a mirror for us. We must stand firm in the defence of international institutions and international law, in the defence of humanity.

Mr President. Dear High Council! In today's daily news, it's hard to avoid the black scenarios that women face in one way or another. Psychological violence, physical violence, extortion, sexual abuse, femicide. A staggering statistic that hasn't improved at all from year to year. What's more, the media landscape is overwhelmed by shocking and hard-to-understand stories of grave, years of abuse. Dear Sir/Madam, All the alarms are ringing. The situation of the society in which we live, where there is widespread fear among women of physical and sexual assault in everyday situations, where one in three women in Europe is the victim of physical or sexual violence, where every year more than two thousand women lose their lives because of violent partners – such a situation, respected – is intolerable and intolerable. We urgently need to step up the fight to eradicate gender-based violence. I expect concrete proposals from the new Commission and an active effort, including the inclusion of a definition of consent-based rape in EU law, in all Member States – there are no excuses – only yes, it means yes. Thank you very much.

Mr President. Dear High Council. The Schengen area is increasingly becoming a historical memory as one of Europe's greatest achievements. Although we adopted the Migration Pact and the reform of the Schengen rules just before the elections, Europe remains in a crunch. External crises, including the deepening conflict in the Middle East, are driving migration flows in Europe. Closing borders is not a magical and easy solution. People, even after nine years of surveillance, are still coming. The answer is to work more resolutely for peace and to find solutions to end conflicts around the world. Dear Sir/Madam, As one of the many millions of Europeans who live and come from the border areas of the Member States, it is precisely the sense of borderlessness with neighbouring countries that Schengen brings that gives us the sense of the European Union. The fact that the domestic Nova Gorica in Slovenia and the neighbouring Gorizia in Italy will host together next year and light up the first borderless European project Capital of Culture in history is the biggest message of cooperation and respect between the countries of the European Union. An event that, at its core, represents the Union's power to promote international cooperation and the dismantling of borders. That is also why I am opposed to all controls in Schengen. I can't imagine an event with border controls. Thank you very much.

Mr President! My 60 seconds of speech today go to women in Afghanistan, women who have been deprived of every second of speech, all freedom, the right to education and employment. They are practically erased from public life, but their silent screams for help are very loud. It is our moral duty to do everything in our power to end their nightmare as soon as possible. The Union must take on the role of instigator of the establishment of an independent investigation within the United Nations and the Criminal Court into the serious human rights violations in Afghanistan. We also need to step up all types of humanitarian aid for Afghan girls and women. We must resolutely counter sexual apartheid and condemn it as a crime against humanity, and restore women and girls to their voices and their basic rights. The key voice of Europe in Afghanistan will be the European Ambassador and a woman from my country, Slovenia, Veronika Bošković-Pohar. Allow me to wish all the best to both the Afghan women and, of course, the European Union from this city.

Mr President! Dear Commissioner Lenarčič! Last year, devastating floods hit Europe, including my country, Slovenia. It was one of the worst natural disasters we can remember. Europe's rapid action has also been crucial in these difficult times. I therefore welcome the rapid mobilisation of the European Solidarity Fund, which, among other things, has allocated EUR 428 million to the Republic of Slovenia. In doing so, I also call, as one of the negotiators in the European Parliament, for more resources to be allocated to solidarity in the future, for aid to be distributed more quickly, and for countries to be given more opportunities to make demands and map the damage. We also need to invest more in protective equipment and rescue systems. My thoughts are at this moment, especially with all those affected by this flood. My sincere condolences to all the families of the victims. In these difficult times, European solidarity and assistance to others fills us with hope. It is therefore imperative that we do the same to the countries affected today. Finally, thanks go to Commissioner Lenarčič for everything he has done to protect and save Europeans.

Madam President! Dear High Council! We are on the brink of a year-long war in Gaza. Israel is also committing genocide through the supply of Western weapons there. More than 41,000 people have been brutally killed, most of them children and women. Day after day, Israel continues to attack targets that enjoy special protection. These are schools, refugee centers, United Nations offices. No consequences. No responsibility for war crimes committed. It is terrifying and shameful, honourable, to see the obvious and conscious inaction of the United States and Europe. Occasional statements of regret are irrelevant. The EU must take action against those responsible for war crimes, first and foremost against representatives of the Israeli Government. Yesterday, at my initiative, 76 MEPs sent a letter to Borrell expressing their strong support for extending the EU sanctions also to the current ministers of the Israeli government. We must not stop talking about the atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank. We continue to demand a ceasefire and accountability for all crimes. It is our moral and human duty.

Dear President! The last five years have not been easy. The mandate was marked by crises, war on European soil, COVID, as well as natural disasters. The European Commission reacted quickly. You have also responded to the historic floods in Slovenia, for which I thank you on behalf of the citizens. We won't forget that. On the other hand, you failed the rule of law test. I am also talking here about Schengen, which you never mention in your speeches. Illegal internal border controls have been in place for almost nine years. Despite the judgment of the European Court of Justice, you have never acted. So, will the European Union enforce its own rules? When are you going to take action, my dear? It will also be your ignorance of international law and humanity when it comes to Gaza. The people of Gaza are still starving. Israel continues to attack refugee centres, schools, buildings, the United Nations, the Red Cross. Thirty-nine thousand Palestinians have been killed. This is genocide, my dear. Are you going to impose sanctions on Israel? What would happen if your children were in Gaza? You mentioned financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority. How, then, will you ensure that it is sufficient, sustainable and politically unconditional?

Mr. President! Today's debate comes at a crucial moment, symbolically, also at the last sitting of this European Parliament. Because the actions of individual political groups and the events of recent times are alarming, because they are too reminiscent of those from the recent history, after which the alarms were ringing in silence. Many of us felt terrible consequences on our own skin, on the skin of our own nation. Europe is built on our wounds, on the wounds and sorrows of the past. It is therefore necessary to recognise the rise of far-right politicians across Europe, the tolerance of extremist fascist movements and impulses, the spread of widespread intolerance and the denial of dictatorships, the relativisation of history, all of which shout for action. My work in the European Parliament constantly conveys the message and values of anti-fascism to the institutions through various events and exhibitions. Honourable, anti-fascism is not to be claimed, but it is not to be claimed by nationalism or any other circumstance. It is a force that has sprung up across the European space among people who only wanted to live in peace and freedom, living in the values that have built this common European Union. Therefore, a deep tribute to all those who have won our freedom and enabled us to be united in this Union by the once divided spirits of the past. Dear colleagues, it is up to us to recognise all this, to take action and to put an end to it.

Dear President! Dear High Council. The Western Balkans are once again high on the European Union's agenda. The fresh wind of enlargement policy has brought about a number of positive decisions by the European institutions, and it is right to do so. It also proves that Europe is serious with the new financial instrument for the region that we need. Tomorrow! And I very much welcome this instrument. Socialists and Democrats, led by the rapporteur, have played a key role in making full respect for the rule of law and the implementation of reforms a precondition for disbursements. We have made it a plan to promote democracy, human rights and gender equality in the region. However, I regret that, despite the insistence of the European Parliament and the Member States, the Commission has not agreed to the implementation of the common foreign and security policy. It is a delusion that countries such as Serbia, which today are comfortably and strategically navigating between several global players, will so sincerely defend European interests. Uncoordinated action in the field of foreign policy undermines the credibility of the Union as well as its strategic interests. Without harmonised sanctions, there is no money. That is why I am calling on all the institutions to rethink this aspect. Thank you very much.

Dear President. Dear Commissioner, Honourable High Assembly. The Commission and the renewed Team Europe have agreed on a joint declaration with Egypt. This agreement with Egypt is problematic in several respects. Firstly, because it is again just a kind of public statement and because it is not an international agreement with the EU. Total contempt for the European Parliament and, last but not least, its budgetary function has clearly become a permanent feature of the Commission. Secondly, that agreement is potentially controversial, since it clearly has no legal force, nor does it contain any safeguards with regard to respect for human rights. It is impossible to get rid of the feeling that the Union is once again unconditionally financing the autocrat. Egypt is certainly a country of great strategic importance, including for Europe. However, the Commission must put an end to such practices. We are aware of the challenges facing Egypt. And it is right that Europe also helps its partners. But we must ask ourselves whether Europe is part of the solution or part of the problem. And at whose expense he enters into such agreements and who he may harm. Without adequate safeguards, it would be unacceptable for Europe to contribute in any way to the denial of human rights and the oppression of democracy and the rule of law. Thank you very much.

Dear President! Dear High Council! The war in Gaza has been going on for more than seven months. The number of casualties has already exceeded 34,000. Last weekend alone 139 people were killed in airstrikes. Refugee camps are also targeted. The Israeli army withdrew from the south of Gaza, but still the area of attack from the air. Western countries continue to deliver weapons to Israel. Violence is also increasing in the West Bank. Israel's provocations continue across borders. All calls for a sustainable ceasefire, however, remain unanswered. The Security Council resolution is not respected, not even the courts in The Hague. Israel continues to violate international law. The report of the UNRWA inquiry showed that Israel has never provided evidence of serious allegations. Never. These, in turn, led to the freezing of funds for its operation. All this and more is happening in the eyes of the world. The world only watches helplessly and does not act. Enough is enough. We demand a ceasefire and the release of hostages. We demand the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. We demand the cessation of arms deliveries and we demand the cessation of provocations.

Mr President, dear colleagues, this vote is an important one, and this is not a political issue, but a technical one. This is a continuation of the visa liberalisation which was adopted for Serbia already in 2009, for Kosovo since the beginning of this year. This decision is about making people’s lives better. In fact, it’s about 18 000 Serbian residents of Kosovo who are holders of the special passports. Since the beginning of this year, they remain the only category of citizens in the Western Balkans who do not enjoy visa liberalisation for the European Union. I believe there is no justification for that, political or other. This is also an issue that the EU created in 2009, and it is on us to fix it, dear colleagues. This is at its core a question of equal treatment or discrimination, and we should be against any form of discrimination. We must not allow that these citizens pay the price for the failures of their own politicians. The Council has already adopted the decision. The EEAS and the Commission strongly support it too. So, as your rapporteur, I ask for your support.

Madam President, I’m the rapporteur of this dossier. I would like just to suggest not to postpone, because in the future, there will be no new elements to do so. We are talking about 80 000 people who were discriminated since the beginning of this year. We are talking about the Serbs from Kosovo and the decision – it’s fully technical; it’s not political. If we’re going to postpone this decision, we are creating a political issue.

Madam President, honourable and honourable, thank you very much for this debate. This shows very clearly the state of the European Union today and also gives an outline of the dangers that Europe could face if we fail to adopt this package today. We are all aware that the whole package – the solution before us is not perfect, but it is a compromise. There is no alternative to this package. If it is rejected today, Europe will be plunged into great uncertainty. This would give the wind mainly to populist forces. The adoption of the package is therefore a strategic necessity for the European Union and is our shared responsibility. Immediately thereafter, we will have to focus on implementation. Undoubtedly, there will also be certain challenges and difficulties, and we will have to address you in real time. There is no other way, my friend. This is what European citizens expect from us. In conclusion, once again, a call to all colleagues: Support the package! It's not ideal, but there's no alternative. Thank you, all colleagues, for your support and cooperation. Good luck, Europe!

Mr. President! Europe is at a turning point. Migration and asylum policy is one of the most divisive topics for our citizens and for politics in general, and often also a means of manipulation, blackmail and excuses. We have felt the consequences everywhere, including in the Schengen area. The reform of the whole area of migration was urgent. In the long run, the survival of the Union as such also depends on it. So after eight years of blockades and several attempts, we succeeded. Later, we will vote on the entire package of reformed migration and asylum legislation. With them, Europe is entering a new era. What we have on the table is not the perfect solution, it is a compromise. But reform is a strategic necessity, which we in the European Parliament accept with a heavy dumpling in our throats. We do not run away from our responsibility. This is what European citizens in particular expect from us. I myself was rapporteur for the recast of the Qualifications Regulation. The bulk of the text was already agreed in 2018, but Europe and the world were different at the time. I am convinced that such a text could no longer be adopted at this time and in the situation in the EU. Therefore, the proposed Qualifications Regulation was part of the first failed asylum policy reform in 2016. The Regulation will replace the existing Qualifications Directive and lays down, in one place, standards for the conditions for obtaining international protection in the Union – whether refugee status or subsidiary protection status – and, on the other hand, the rights of beneficiaries in the event of a positive decision. This Regulation is therefore a key puzzle of the future European asylum system and will ensure equal treatment of applications across Europe. This will have an impact on the destimulation after ‘asylum shopping’ and thus indirectly on the phenomenon of secondary migration. To date, the application of the directive has been highly arbitrary between countries. They had to implement the directive into national law and implement it. However, there have been major changes and discrepancies. There are cases where, for example, an applicant for international protection from Afghanistan had virtually no chance of a positive decision in one Member State and almost a 100% chance in another. Let us hope, therefore, that such stories will be a thing of the past and that Europe will really live in this area as well. Let me now focus on the main points of content. One of the main achievements of the qualification regulation is certainly the uniform minimum length of the residence permit. This will be valid for a minimum of 3 years for refugee status and a minimum of 1 year for subsidiary protection status, followed by a minimum of 2 years when renewed. The status check will not be automatic and mandatory. The beneficiary is entitled to the status as long as there is a need to protect it. I am particularly proud of this success. We have also succeeded in broadening the definition of family for the purposes of the regulation. The novelty of the Regulation is the assessment of the availability of internal protection. Thanks to this house, we have greatly limited the use of this principle. This will only be mandatory in cases where the prosecution of the institution is not carried out by the State. Refugees will also benefit from more protection thanks to the faster issuance of residence permits. These must also be free. Under the new rule, the period of residence, which counts as the period for obtaining a permanent residence permit, will be counted from the time the application or application is submitted, and not, as has been the case up to now, only half the time between the submission of the application and the granting of protection. In some cases, the processing of applications may take more than a year, so this change is more than important, it is extremely important. Beneficiaries will also be treated on an equal footing with nationals of the host country as regards rights such as social security, health care, access to work and, of course, education. Unaccompanied minors, a particularly vulnerable category, will now also benefit from more protection and safeguards. Here too, I am proud of the success of the European Parliament. Dear colleagues, in the hope of a favourable solution, I would like to thank you for your cooperation and attention.

Madam President. Our health is our greatest wealth. Too often we don't realize it, or it only really irritates us when it's too late. Therefore, physical and mental health should not be taken for granted. Human health is affected by almost everything around us: progress, climate change, industrial food production. In addition, Europe, like most of the Western world, is facing a rapidly ageing population. But we try to escape such effects every day by making progress in education and by making people aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, by developing technologies or by making extensive research more accessible to enable faster or more accurate diagnosis, on the one hand, and more effective and advanced treatments, on the other. These are achievements that need to be recognised, but which also pose important and desirable social, economic and health challenges. Life expectancy and therefore the need for health care is increasing faster than years of life spent in good health. None of us can escape this natural phenomenon. Promoting the well-being of older people and long-term care must therefore be one of our central priorities. We are also committed to social democrats all over Europe. It is expected that ageing and all kinds of change will be our greatest challenges in the future. We need to start addressing this today.

Mr President. In Gaza, people continue to die and starve. Hundreds of thousands of people face chronic food and humanitarian shortages every day, especially children and women. Israel is also committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza through starvation. Enough of the beauty. The people of Gaza do not need our kind words. Above all, they need our actions. We demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the opening of an unhindered corridor for the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid. And we demand action from all countries and from the United Nations Security Council. Inaction against Israel legitimises war crimes in Gaza. We need radical changes in the attitude towards the aggressor. It is high time, honoured, that this House of European Democracy unanimously and unequivocally demands an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Enough is enough.