Speeches

Madam President, referring to Rule 10(3) of the Rules of Procedure, I would like to bring to your attention to the fact that equal treatment of Members was not upheld during the last plenary session concerning the Israel‑Gaza debate. My ECR colleague Kristoffer Storm had a very small pin removed from his jacket – a pin calling for the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas who had been tortured and raped. Meanwhile, when MEP Lynn Boylan from The Left Group approached the podium to deliver her speech wearing a Palestine lanyard, it was not removed. And this despite the fact that I had informed the President well in advance that the MEP in question would soon be speaking and was wearing that lanyard. She was allowed to wear that political symbol throughout her entire speech and only after she had finished did the President simply remark that political symbols are not permitted while speaking. How can it be that some MEPs are stripped of political expressions while others are not? The plenary is the most sacred arena of democracy in the European Parliament. That is why I urge the President to ensure that Members are treated equally in the future and that such blatant double standards become a thing of the past.

Mr President, it is vital for democracy to take account of the wishes of the citizens of the Member States, and I therefore welcome the fact that everyone has the opportunity to submit petitions at EU level. However, I would like to remind you that the Treaties clearly define the areas that fall within the EU's decision-making powers. Over the past decade, these Treaty requirements have been violated and the right of Member States to decide their own affairs has been broken down piece by piece. This systematic pursuit of hidden federalism must be stopped immediately. Each country is unique and different. Not everyone fits in the same mold. Therefore, when it comes to dealing with petitions at EU level: This whole thing has to happen too. within the competence of the European Union.

Mr President, the EU's decision to spend a staggering EUR 500 million on the Choose Europe for Science project is incomprehensible, especially at a time when our security is screaming more money than Europe has put into it. The presentation of the package clearly revealed what this money pool is in response to: In the United States, there has been a tight line of funding for diversity and anti-racism research. This giant package is likely to attract researchers who have been deprived of this research money on the other side of the Atlantic. The U.S. has already abandoned these academic efforts. If they had made America strong, they would not have been abandoned. It is worth thinking about in Europe as well. If individual Member States want to support this from their own pockets, please pay it from your own resources. Europe needs growth, innovation and genuine science. No more studies impregnated by woke.

Mr President, the EU's internal market is one example of how the Alliance of Independent States can actually benefit its members. The free movement of goods and services is one of the bright spots that still illuminates Europe from the gaps of all the shadow of arbitrary EU regulation. As an export-led country, Finland benefits significantly from free and duty-free trade with its European neighbours, especially now that we have made the only right decision and stopped trading with Russia, which is waging a brutal war of aggression. Disengagement from China is still ahead of us. Unfortunately, such EU-level issues, which really benefit the Member States and citizens, are increasingly becoming a side-effect of the EU's endless regulation and federal development. That is why the internal market, this principle of tangible benefits, must continue to be nurtured and its unnecessary obstacles dismantled.

Mr President, a very worrying law is being drafted in Hungary. This law would give the government the right to conduct raids and impose disproportionate fines on organisations that receive funding from outside Hungary, including from the EU. If this sounds familiar, it's because Russia has a very similar type of agent law in place. It is obvious that Putin-inspired laws do not belong in Europe. The EU has the tools to influence such worrying developments, as is well known in Hungary. Criticism of the EU by an elected government is no reason to freeze EU funding, but if serious steps are taken towards the demolition of democracy, the EU cannot be a bystander. These principles should be remembered both at EU level and in Hungary.

Dear Mr/Ms President of the Republic of Gaza, Why do you hate Israel more than you love your own children? Why have you taught your children from textbooks to hate Jews and to raise fighters from them? Why have you used the cement and supplies Israel has donated for years to build the offensive tunnels? Doctors in Gaza, why have you allowed killers to build command centers in your hospitals? Teachers, how can you allow terrorists to hide in your schools? Fathers and mothers of Gaza, why do you allow your children to be used as human shields? Why did you vote for Hamas and do so again if the elections were held now? Stop Protecting the terrorists and handing over the hostages. Only then will Israel stop. Don't sacrifice any more Palestinian children, for their lives are precious.

Madam President, I always stick to the rules. Thank you for mentioning that the rules were being broken by MEP Incir for the political symbol there, but now I see that also MEP Rima Hassan came to the Chamber with this political symbol. And this seems to be a pattern from the left side, you're using these Palestinian symbols. And if this doesn't end so we can come here from the right side also with Israel's symbols. But I think we don't want this kind of behaviour. So I'm asking you to pay attention to what is happening right now.

Mr President, a strong internal market is also the foundation of Europe's security. Now, more than ever, we need to make the defence industrial market, especially within our Union, as efficient as possible. There is a talent in Europe. My country, Finland, is a good example. At Patria, a world-class defence technology company, we develop state-of-the-art armoured vehicles and systems that strengthen Europe's security. Europe needs more patriots. It guarantees not only that we are not at the mercy of any enemy, but also that our defense is not at the mercy of anyone else. Our continent will not be defended by speeches and papers in a bad place, but ultimately we will have to find iron in our warehouses.

Mr President, in an alternative reality we would be living today under Hitler's rule – not just all of Europe, but maybe even the whole world. In that reality, I wouldn't be standing here. I would have been killed in a gas chamber, my ashes drifting in the air. Many of you also would not be here, because of your ethnicity, your sexuality or disability. That reality nearly came true. Too many in Europe believed Hitler would stop on his own. They spoke of peace and diplomacy. But reality struck, and the price was great, far greater. Now, 80 years later, Europe faces its worst attack since World War Two, and history is repeating itself. Today, it is the Left who lives in an alternative reality. You oppose European militarisation and sending weapons to Ukraine, and call for peace talks with Putin. But you should never negotiate with dictators – you must stop them!

Mr President, the EU is once again moving towards a federal state, this time by blackmailing the citizens' money. The EU Banking Union aims to achieve common deposit insurance. Dangerous, I say. In the EU's infamous way of working, this fits like a nose in the head. Let's try to hold those who have handled their affairs well to account, so those who have handled their affairs poorly can benefit from the modelling of others. And that's not all. This section of the text, too, contains completely unwarranted ideological additions: diversity and the green transition. It's as if these green-left frustrations are strengthening the foundations of our banks. Time and time again, the EU promises its citizens gold and riches, but no, this is certainly not what these Banking Union speeches will do for Finns, and I will not vote for this.

Madam President, the Russian invasion of Ukraine exposed how vulnerable our energy supply chains are, especially for countries like Finland. With extremely cold winters, supply of energy is a fundamental part of national security and public health. But so is the source of the energy. Buy cheap Russian gas now, pay later for your mistake. Ask the Germans in this room; they have learned this lesson the hard way with their Russo-German pipelines. Putin is not a reliable partner and Russia is not a reliable provider of energy. I ask: what would need to happen so that all the politicians in this room would understand this? Putin's constant lies, Russia's energy extortion or the brutal Russian attack on European soil have not opened your eyes. Unbelievable.

Mr President, we have pledged our unwavering support to the Ukrainian people in their fight against imperialist Russia. This is why it is unacceptable that we have allowed a Member State to provide Putin's cronies a backdoor to acquiring EU citizenship. I am talking about Malta and its passports that are for sale. Many of those who have exploited Malta's golden passport scheme have been sanctioned because of their complicity in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One of them is Albert Avdolyan, whose significant involvement in the Rostec enterprise, a part of Russia's war machine, makes him a person directly responsible for the losses of Ukrainian lives. I welcome the decision of the Court of Justice that deems this passport scheme illegal and call for the authorities of Malta to immediately take action against it.

Mr President, when we are discussing the rise in the price of food today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to remind you of the realities. Climate action has raised the price of food. That policy has first appeared on farms, then it has appeared in shops, and then it has appeared on the table. I would like to tell you what the Finnish Government has outlined as a guideline for the entire four-year government term. During the government term, no decisions are made at national level that increase the costs of agriculture. This is an excellent line. Should we not support the initiative of making a similar "black-and-white" promise at EU level that no EU decisions will be taken in the current period that will increase the costs for agriculture? So, Commissioners, why don't you put your pens on the line and do something for Europe's food production after Finland?

Mr President, the massive blackout in the Spanish, Portuguese and French regions is a warning example for Europe of the chaos that could arise if the security of electricity supply were to be shaken in modern society. What is the security of electricity supply built on? A huge role is played by the fact that we have diverse electricity production. Production, a large part of which is covered by nuclear power. Think about how stupid policy it has been in Europe to drive down nuclear power and replace it with Russian energy. These tunars have seen nuclear power as dangerous and Russian energy as safe. Well, now they've got their hands full, but have they come to their senses? At least I haven't heard any strong nuclear defence speeches from them here. Ideology has blinded nuclear critics in the past and seems to continue blinding them – to the detriment of Europe.

Mr President, the EU's competitiveness has reached the end-of-life stage. In the midst of it all, we hear the gentlemen of Europe talking about beautiful innovation and unity, but the fact is that the green transition has put our businesses on their knees and on different kinds of subsidies. When someone dares to tighten the faucet, the scream begins. Greenhump and the hump subsidies that maintain it have built an unsustainable vibe in Europe. Fortunately, many companies already dare to say: It's gone too far. We now need a policy that frees up the market, ignites vitality and breaks the chains of bureaucracy. State aid must be directed smartly, not in the name of solidarity, but in the name of Europe's survival. Europe needs a new direction, and it will not be found on the left.

Even though I'm not one of Ursula's biggest supporters, I think that was a bit of populism. We understand that the President of the Commission has quite a lot of work to do instead of listening to us for a long time. It is good that Ursula is here, at least briefly, in this debate. Second point: You said that you are not in favour of an illegal invasion of Ukraine, but you are surprised that weapons are being sent there to Ukraine. If you are against that illegal occupation, shouldn't Ukraine be specifically supported with weapons so that it can defend itself?

Mr President, Kosovo's alignment with EU values and our foreign policy will not go unnoticed. Unfortunately, we have had to witness how third‑country actors are trying to destabilise their process. The usual suspects – Russia and China – are openly backing Serbia, trying to undermine Kosovo's independence. Through disinformation, diplomatic pressure and media manipulation, they are aiming to weaken Kosovo's statehood and fracture their unity. Moscow spreads lies. Beijing blocks global recognition. Their influence corrupts the truth and destabilises the peace in the Balkans. We must support the Western Balkans through diplomatic means. Kosovo is not in the EU, but they are a part of Europe. Russian and Chinese influence has no place here – not now, not ever.

Mr President, there should not be a place in the European structures for a country that continues fence-sitting while Russia keeps bombing Ukraine. Serbia must make a choice: align fully with the core values of Europe, or choose to be on the wrong side of history. I will make this very clear. Russia is not a partner. They cannot be trusted. It is a destabilising, authoritarian aggressor waging war on European soil, using disinformation and energy blackmailing as a means to gain influence. Serbia cannot walk both roads. If Serbia wants to seek EU membership, they must act like a future member. That means sanctions on Russia, respect for the rule of law and a decisive break from the Kremlin's influence. It is that simple – there is no EU path without it.

Mr President, Turkey is not a free democracy. It is an authoritarian state where human rights are systematically trampled upon. Erdoğan, a dictatorial ruler of Turkey, has made his country a society in which free media have been suppressed, the opposition imprisoned and the judiciary subordinated to power. The European Parliament's recent annual report is unusually clear. Turkey is moving away from almost everything that European values represent. Now is the time for us to say out loud: Turkey has nothing to do with the European Union. It is not enough to freeze Turkey's EU accession negotiations – they must be stopped immediately. We cannot keep the door open for such a country whose membership of the EU would destroy all the principles we believe in here. So now, EU, shut the door.

Mr President, Finland is a pioneer in water issues. In the land of thousands of lakes, we have the cleanest drinking water in the world. We do not need instructions on these issues from outside our country. But what does the EU do? It is now adopting a water resilience strategy aimed at controlling water use at European level. Some Member States can benefit from this, but does a country like Finland, where things have already been handled well, benefit from additional regulation? I'm afraid not. Many people will remember that due to the EU Drinking Water Directive, Finland is already threatened with billions of annual bills. Water pipe fittings made for Finnish conditions are not suitable for the EU, so they should be replaced with parts unsuitable for Finnish conditions, which would have to be renewed every few years. It's totally crazy. In Finland, water is already nurtured sustainably. We don't need any new wet rag on our faces from the EU tables.

Mr President, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the economies of the Member States, the Commission tried to resolve the issue with reckless debt. Citizens were promised that the recovery package would be the solution to put the European economy back on its feet. Do you feel that this has happened? The recovery package brought increased risks of fraud, opacity and hastily distributed money. It is not even possible to properly monitor the use of funds. According to the study, the climate impact of green projects implemented through the package may have been exaggerated by up to EUR 30.5 billion. It's obscene. Now that the time for repayment is coming, the price tag of the Commission's project is starting to hit the minds of many decision-makers. Interest expenses have also swelled like bun dough. Well, it wasn't a good package. The use of EU money must be justified and transparent, i.e. anything other than what the recovery package represents.

Mr President, the EU's spending priorities are seriously flawed. For example, we are calling for accelerating the green transition and for stronger support for it. It is not enough for the EU to manage its own property; it is required to act as the world's leading provider of climate finance and development aid. The EU is confusing not only social policy, but also housing policy, even though these are the sovereign prerogatives of the Member States. Of course, a substantial increase in EU funding is required for both sectors, as well as for the tourism and cultural sectors. Additional money is required in all directions, and there are hardly any targets for surgery. New own resources are also planned for the EU, which also means a transfer of power from the Member States to the Union. No, no, and again no. EU spending must now focus on what is essential: support to Ukraine, internal security and external border control.

Mr President, our greatest adversary is not the United States, but a dictatorship far more dangerous to Europe's trade future: China. It is quite astonishing that some in Europe have started to seek closer cooperation with the Chinese dictatorship as a response for the US. You are willing to turn a blind eye to what China presents, just to get to show your middle fingers to the other side of the Atlantic. Are you really that childish? You're all acting like a bunch of high school divas. But I say we take a different approach. I say we grow up and work towards finding a meaningful agreement with the United States – one that benefits both parties. And we can start by cutting back on our dependence on China. Let's do that for our own sake as well, before it's too late.

Mr President, up to 1.5 million Armenians were massacred by an empire determined to erase them. Men, women and children were deported, tortured, raped and murdered. Türkiye's refusal to confront its dark history is one example of why its membership in the EU cannot come into question. They may attempt to bury their history, but the truth cannot be silenced. Just as the Turks sought to destroy Armenians, another empire, the so-called Russian Federation, now threatens Ukrainians. We must ensure that such evil never prevails again. We cannot allow the work of the devil to succeed. Oppressive empires must fall.

Mr President, European day of the righteous is an opportunity to honour those who have dared to stand against injustice and oppression. Too often, people tend to speak grand words, but hesitate when real actions are needed. This must not be just another symbolic gesture. Today I want to highlight a group too often forgotten ‑ those brave Russians and Belarusians who risked their lives resisting authoritarian regimes. They are imprisoned, silenced and even murdered for defending human rights and democracy. The tragic death of Alexei Navalny is just one example. We must actively courage these people who dared to stand up against the regimes of Russia and Belarus, the very devils of oppression and control.