Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, two weeks ago it was three years since the Tempi tragedy, a tragedy that shocked Greece. A tragedy that could have been avoided if the government had done its job and completed contract 717 for telecommand. A contract that was signed in 2014 and should have been completed in 2016, seven years before the tragedy. Commissioner, it is for this very reason that the European Commission has a very essential role to play in ensuring that rail transport is safe and that the Greek Government fulfils its obligations. I would also like to refer to the People's Party's attempt to link two completely different accidents, in Greece and Spain, only to create impressions against the Spanish government. I remind you that in Greece two trains were on the same line while travelling in opposite directions for 20 whole minutes until they collided with each other. In Greece, a few hours after the conflict, government actors were channeling media-friendly trumped-up conversations to promote the theory of human error. Instead of a substantive investigation, we had the jamming of the site of the tragedy. Instead of accountability, we had the government majority acquitting the responsible ministers or referring them for misdemeanors. Instead of an independent investigation by an independent agency, we had a commission appointed by the government and a conclusion that was supposedly a "gospel", but which was denied by their own authors. The 57 victims of Tempi demand their vindication. This is a struggle for all of us.

Mr President, Commissioner, over the last decade the European Union has tried to increase the active participation of consumers in an increasingly liberalised and decentralised energy system. However, the objective of placing consumers at the heart of the energy market remains largely unfulfilled. At the same time, energy prices in Greece and Europe continue to burden them relentlessly, increasing the cost of living and limiting disposable income. Today's Commission package should promote important value-added initiatives and investments in European Gross Domestic Product and employment. It is imperative that the further penetration of renewables into the energy mix has a significant impact with their low production costs on final energy prices and this is something that is not happening at the moment, unfortunately, Commissioner. Enhanced citizen participation in both the energy transition and the social dimension of the Energy Union is a prerequisite.

Mr President, this is not the first time that we have been discussing human rights violations in Turkey and I am afraid it will not be the last. As for the problems faced by Christians in Turkey, these are detailed every year in the annual progress report. Since 1971, the Theological School of Halki has been closed by decision of the Turkish state. The Turkish state continues to prohibit the use of the title of Ecumenical Patriarchate in an attempt to delegitimize and devalue this important institution for Orthodox worldwide. In addition, problems with religious institutions remain, as obstacles to their operation continue. Europe should finally put the necessary pressure on Turkey to comply with its international and European obligations and to finally stop discrimination against its Christian populations.

Madam President, Euro-Atlantic relations have been strong because they have hitherto been based on common principles and values – democracy, the rule of law, the protection of human rights, multilateral cooperation, respect for international law. Unfortunately, over the past year, following President Trump's return to the White House, we have seen a rapid departure of the United States from these fundamental values. Especially the recent events, with the almost parastatal action of ICE in democratic states of the United States that led to the unjust death of two innocent people who simply disagreed with their violent practices, awaken historical memories that as Europe we thought belonged to the past. No one, especially the security forces, can be above the law. ICE's arbitrariness must end immediately.

Mr President, drones and their response systems are now a component of the defence of the Member States. Unfortunately, the European Union is lagging behind in this crucial area. Recent overflights over airports and energy and military infrastructure in a number of Member States have highlighted our weaknesses. The aim of the report that we are tabling and debating today is to formulate a comprehensive plan to address this deficit. To proceed immediately to the development of the relevant capabilities, but also to their full integration, both in the defence doctrines and in the civil protection plans of the Member States. Methodically draw lessons from Ukraine, which is an example to follow. Moreover, we cannot ignore the strategic risk of dependency on non-European suppliers for critical components and raw materials. Strengthening the autonomous European drone industrial base, reclaiming supply chains and supporting production within Europe, is a top security and sovereignty issue.

Madam President, High Representative, in recent weeks millions of courageous Iranians have taken to the streets demanding freedom, dignity and democracy. The theocratic regime responded to the peaceful demonstrations of the people with unprecedented repression. Thousands of people have been killed by regime forces. Tens of thousands have been arrested. Access to information and the internet have been cut off. These demonstrations are not the result of interference by foreign powers. It is the result of a long practice of violence and oppression that we clearly saw in the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. It is a result of the significant degradation of Iranian lives with persistent shortages of water, electricity, medicines and everyday goods. They express the accumulated indignation of a society that demands a better future, a future that only the Iranian people can decide, without foreign interference and interventions. The European Union must stand firmly with the Iranian people, strengthen diplomatic pressure and, above all, extend targeted sanctions, and finally classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

Madam President, the need to finally put European strategic autonomy into practice is the answer to the new reality we are facing. With bold choices, more cooperation and common financing tools to reduce our dependencies, defence, energy, technology, critical infrastructure. If anyone was skeptical, the publication of the new National Security Strategy of the United States proves that we cannot rely on automations of the past. It's a loud alarm bell that we all need to hear. Let's stop hoping that President Trump doesn't mean what he says. The transatlantic relationship remains important. But it needs to be redefined on the basis of mutual respect. Respect for our common values, without accepting any interference in our democracies. That is why the only solution is a strong and autonomous Europe, able to stand in the new geopolitical environment that is being formed.

Madam President, critical raw materials are essential ingredients for sustaining the Union’s economic, environmental and digital ambitions; Basically, for our own safety. Over 80% of large European companies are exposed to Chinese supplies of rare earths. The Union’s response must be swift and dynamic in all trade instrumentalisation practices. Member States must speed up the implementation of the Raw Materials Regulation. On the part of the European Union, we must activate domestic mining projects and recycling processes, define the minimum level of strategic reserves of rare earths and proceed immediately to bilateral cooperation with countries that meet corresponding sustainability and human rights standards. Only in this way will we strengthen the Union's strategic autonomy, protecting our industrial base as a whole.

Madam President, the agreement on the leading European programme for the European defence industry EDIP is proof of Parliament's positive involvement in the negotiations. Firstly, unlike SAFE, we have strengthened European preference. We imposed strict eligibility criteria, promoting in practice our independence from third countries. Secondly, we have ensured that not a single euro from the budget goes to infrastructure outside the European Union. Thirdly, we have ensured strict and mandatory guarantees to protect the security interests of the Member States and respect the principle of good neighbourliness as a condition for the participation in the programme of European companies belonging to third countries. Fourthly, we have achieved the universal application of the principle that European money will be directed only to projects where the design authority is European and is not subject to any control by third countries. Fifthly, we provided for the institutionalisation of the European SEAP armaments programmes, European defence projects of common interest, and the creation of the Defence Industry Reinforcement Fund in the FAST programme to facilitate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises. Sixthly, for the first time we have legislated concrete actions, at European level, in the event that a Member State activates the common defence clause of the European Union, the well-known Article 42(7). Ultimately, the historic EDIP programme underpins the European defence industrial base and the resilience of an adult European Union.

Madam President, the challenges in Poland, Romania, the Baltic countries, but also drone incidents in Denmark, Belgium and Germany have shown that immediate action is needed at European level so that we can deal with modern threats. The Commission's Defence Roadmap is a useful tool but not enough in itself. The European Council should also give the necessary political guidance so that it does not remain a mere wishful thinking. Obviously, any defence initiatives should not be limited to a specific border area. In your State of the Union speech you were mentioned from the Baltic to the Black Sea. You have forgotten that European borders continue in the Mediterranean, where Member States face a number of challenges. President Costa put it very well in Copenhagen: we need an integrated rather than piecemeal approach. We want a Europe that protects all its citizens equally from all possible risks.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the ceasefire agreement and the return of the hostages after two years of captivity is an important step towards de-escalation and creating conditions for dialogue. However, the path to lasting and sustainable peace will not be easy. Over the past two days, we have seen how fragile this truce is. But we must not let the opportunity go to waste. Last week in Egypt European leaders may have been present, but they acted more as decor at President Trump's fiesta than as equal interlocutors and shapers of developments. Although the Middle East is part of our neighbourhood, it is still not our priority. Once again, a comprehensive Middle East strategy is missing from the European Commission's work programme. A strategy that goes beyond ad hoc crisis management and combines humanitarian aid, development cooperation, diplomacy and security, supporting stability through peace rather than punishment. We must reject any voice that invests in hatred, revenge or denial of the other's existence. We do not want a future defined by extremists, whether it is Hamas or those in Israel who reject any prospect of coexistence. We want a future of democracy, peace and mutual respect. We want a future built on dialogue, security, mutual recognition and hope. A secure and democratic Israel, an independent and viable Palestinian state. Two peoples living side by side, not against each other. With its historical experience of war, division and reconciliation, Europe has both a moral obligation and a diplomatic responsibility to contribute actively, to strengthen peace initiatives on the basis of UN resolutions, to support the voices of moderation, to promote reconstruction and regional cooperation.

Madam President, Madam President of the Commission, what has happened in recent weeks is unacceptable. Russia is testing our capabilities and endurance and, unfortunately, it turned out that we are not ready. As Europe, we need to adapt immediately to the new techniques of warfare. It is neither viable nor effective to shoot down drones of a few thousand euros with missiles of millions. We need to learn from Ukraine and adapt. Invest in the production of drones and countering them. We want a Europe that can effectively protect its borders and basic infrastructure from third countries. However, European borders do not extend only from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea; European borders continue in the Eastern Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. We therefore want common measures, such as the Drone Wall, covering all Member States and not just some. It is not only Russia that is violating European airspace and causing it. Since 1 January 2025, Turkey has violated Greek airspace 167 times, thus European airspace. In total, there have been more than 500 incidents in the southeastern Aegean. Twice with armed fighters. That is why we call for all violations to be treated in the same way and for all borders to be protected in the same way. This means European solidarity in practice.

Mr President, India is one of the most important countries in Asia, with an ever-growing economy, which will become the third largest in the world by 2030. Last February, the communication on our new strategic relationship was an extremely positive step. We hope soon to have a mutually beneficial agreement on economic, trade and geopolitical issues, including environmental, sustainability, democracy and human rights issues. India, of course, remains one of Russia's most important trading partners, while after the recent tariffs from America we saw a new rapprochement between India and China, which certainly surprised many. We therefore need a comprehensive European strategy for a new partnership that enhances the overall relationship between us.

Mr President, two years after the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, the pain and suffering continue. The hostage relatives are still waiting for their return. Gaza has been destroyed. 67,000 Palestinians – of whom over 20,000 children – have died. From the very beginning, we recognised Israel’s right to defend itself, but this does not give it the right to violate international law by blocking Gaza, using hunger as a weapon and committing – according to the United Nations – acts of genocide. The talks that began Sunday in Egypt open a window of hope for peace in the region: an agreement that will lead to the lifting of the blockade of Gaza, a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, while paving the way for a lasting peace, on the basis of the two-state solution: a free and secure Israel and a viable and democratic Palestinian state, as provided for by the 1967 borders. Unfortunately, the Netanyahu government has openly stated that it is opposed to the prospect of an independent Palestinian state. The promotion of illegal settlements – and in particular the E1 project – has precisely this objective: Cancellation on the ground of a viable Palestinian state. The recognition of Palestine is not a gift to Hamas. It is a confirmation of our commitment to the two-state solution. That is why we call on all Member States to carry out this act of responsibility. We finally need a strategy for the Middle East. We can no longer be spectators to an open wound for humanity so close to us. Nor are we simply allowed to pay, without participating in the formulation of the conditions, in a region of the world that is of direct concern to us. We should be present in the reconstruction of Gaza with a special fund. To support the efforts of the Arab states for peace and to ensure that Hamas has no role in either the transitional or any other government structure in Gaza or the West Bank.

Madam President, dear President Von Der Leyen, let me begin by thanking to the Greek lieutenant all the firefighters who throughout Europe struggle with self-denial every summer in order to protect all of us. These firefighters, however, must be supported at both national and European level. Madam President, geopolitical developments are pushing us to the sidelines. We want a stronger Europe in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Libya, in Syria, in the Caucasus, in the face of climate change. As far as strategic autonomy is concerned, the 800 billion RearmEU, instead of being used to develop the European defence industry, we are opening it up to third countries that threaten and violate the sovereign rights of Member States in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, which you forgot in your speech. For the new Union budget we will insist on a regional policy that strengthens social and territorial cohesion with a specific budget for each region to ensure that no one is left behind.