Speeches

Madam President, we all know that supporting Ukraine is also about defending European values and principles: peace, security, democracy and rule of law. We also know that eventually, if Europe is weakened, it affects the whole global balance. So, my words go to across the Atlantic to Trump. If Trump wants to make good deals, he should see Europe as equals and partners. And Trump should treat Putin as he would treat someone attempting a hostile takeover, because that's what Putin is trying to do: attack our freedom and sovereignty. In this House, we should be united. No one should for a second think that the future of Europe is secured with Putin's doctrine. North Korean soldiers brought to a European war is just one example that Putin's Russia will proceed. It will not stop if we are not going to stop him.

Mr President, President Niinistö's speech in this Chamber was extremely wise. We need to be prepared, but we also need to be able to work together better. Now I would ask you, representative, how can we plant more of this Finnish spirit here in the European Parliament? In the light of these recent developments, there is division here, there is strife here, when we need more cooperation so that we can cope with these enormous challenges that Europe will have to contend with in the years to come.

Mr President, representatives of the Commission, the EU should be the safest place in the world to buy goods. We have strict standards for what kind of products can be sold here, so how on earth is it possible that, in recent tests, up to 80 per cent of toys sold, for example, in Chinese online stores, did not meet the safety requirements for toys. It is about the health of consumers, especially children. It is about protecting our environment. It is a question of security and it is a question of the ability of European companies to succeed. Chinese giant online shops, ignoring the rules, are delivering goods to Europe at an accelerating pace. According to Finnish Customs, the huge number of Chinese parcels already endangers customs' ability to function. The Product Safety Directive, that is a good start, but it is important that we do not increase the regulation of responsible European companies, but that we ensure that Chinese shops comply with European rules. There is an urgent need to resolve this issue. The Commission must play its part in this. Europe must be united on this issue. It is about the health of Europeans.

Mr President, it is tremendously tragic that you see families on the streets of Europe, people sleeping on the streets. In Finland, the streetscape is different. In Finland, we have succeeded in reducing homelessness so that we have fewer than 3,500 people without a home. Less than 3,500. This is a miracle. But this has required the will of all parties. And yet it was only Sanna Marin's government that set the goal of ending homelessness completely by 2027. Finland's starting point has been the Housing First principle. It first guarantees permanent housing regardless of substance abuse or mental health problems. This has required cooperation between the third sector, public authorities and volunteers, and has even helped many marginalised people to find employment. In addition, social housing has provided affordable housing for people on low incomes. I wanted to share this with you as an encouragement, but also as a warning. For now the Social-Democratic government is a thing of the past and has been replaced by a bourgeois government that cuts subsidies, cuts social housing and turns back the clocks. This should not be allowed. Take an example from Finland in a good way, not from what the bourgeois government is doing in Finland now.