Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Europe is facing major geopolitical challenges. The priorities of the new US administration differ significantly from those of Europe. Parliament's two reports on foreign policy, security and defence substantiate the need, in this new and volatile environment, for the Union to have a strong presence. With an autonomous foreign policy and a comprehensive strategy for both the Mediterranean and the Middle East. With a strong deterrent presence, to be able to protect its member states from authoritarian leaders with imperial revisionisms, both on the eastern border and in the Baltic region and in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Joint armament programmes to strengthen the European defence industry in all Member States to be financed with fresh European money. No loans charged to national budgets. No cuts to the Cohesion Fund that undermine our social resilience. A Europe-pillar of stability in an increasingly unstable world.

Mr President, Commissioner, electricity and gas prices have risen drastically in Europe, unlike in the United States, which is ultimately the only beneficiary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Of course, energy taxation, where Greece is unfortunately a negative champion, grid charges, licensing times, etc., all of this increases energy costs, and you rightly ask that they be addressed. But the main problem is that while renewables, which we all rightly promote, have lower production costs than minerals, this is not yet reflected in prices for consumers. We therefore need investment in grids, interconnections, storage, with at least more than a doubling of the Connecting Europe Facility's energy funds. But we are not happy with non-existent transparency, inefficient operation or zero supervision of many energy markets in the Member States. Finally, I would like to ask you how to deal with the ever-increasing energy prices in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania compared to the rest of the European Union.

Mr President, Commissioner, thank you very much for your excellent initiatives. In the effort to get rid of Russian gas, the Eastern Mediterranean can play an important role. It is a new source, a reliable source, of supplying Europe with green electricity and gas. Natural gas deposits in the Greek and Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone are extremely important. There are two great projects that started under my ministry: The first is the Israel-Cyprus-Greece 1000 megawatt electric cable, which is to carry green electricity for the first time from Asia to Europe, and the second is the EastMed gas pipeline, which can carry up to 20 bcm each year. Unfortunately, Turkish provocation hinders investigations into the green cable even within the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone. Given that these two projects are also European-owned, I believe that it is necessary for the Union to take the initiative, always within the framework of international law and the law of the sea, to implement them. Thank you very much.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it is common ground now that we cannot rely solely on NATO and the new US administration for our security. This means that if we have to invest more in defense, we have to do it all together. The ReArm EU proposal allows for increased defence spending, but with new loans; loans which will of course be charged to national budgets. Unfortunately, there is no incentive for joint actions. This creates a negative precedent to which we are vehemently opposed: the possibility of transferring funds, the Cohesion Fund and cohesion policies to other purposes. For us socialists, there is no social cohesion without security. There is no security without social cohesion. If we do not invest in both at the same time, strengthening the resilience of our economy, society and defence, we will remain vulnerable to foreign interference and attacks. Thank you very much.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, three months after the collapse of the Assad regime, the situation in Syria continues to be fragile. We have clearly condemned the massacres of Alawite civilians and Christians by the forces close to the new government. We find incomprehensible the announcement of the External Action Service, which seemed to justify the new government and that violence is the fault of the victims and not of the perpetrator. The reconstruction of Syria will only succeed if it is inclusive with participation of all religious and ethnic minorities on an equal footing. Yesterday's agreement between the central government and the Syrian Kurds is a very positive step. The European Union must be present and contribute in this direction, ensuring that Syria does not become a satellite country of any third country. The lifting of sanctions is not a blank cheque, but depends on the protection of all minorities, respect for international law and the sovereign rights of all Member States.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the White Paper, which is expected in a few days' time, must be the road map so that, with a specific timetable and measures, the European Union can cope with today's geopolitical challenges. We need a strong European defence industrial and technological base. It is unsustainable for more than 70% of the money we spend on armaments to go to third countries. It hurts our economy, it hurts our social cohesion, it hurts our competitiveness, it negatively affects our security, as it increases defence dependencies on third countries. Unfortunately, ReArm EU, while ambitious, is not as effective as we would like a solution to the problems we have. We do not want new loans, but common European financial instruments. To have a European defence union that can effectively defend its borders and allies, not only extra money is needed. Programmes like EDIP, with strict rules, are needed for investments to address our lack of strategic instruments and interoperability. Spending in Europe, strengthening the European defence industrial base in all Member States, to reduce dependencies on third countries. Investments should not be made at the expense of social cohesion and the welfare state. What does it matter to have a strong army at the border if we undermine the security of our societies by increasing inequalities? There is no prosperity without security. There is no security without prosperity. We need common arms export rules so that European weapons are not found to threaten the sovereignty of Member States. Finally, we should also take the necessary institutional steps to ensure that the common defence clause, Article 42(7) of the Treaty, is not empty, but is the basic security guarantee for all Member States, from Finland and Estonia to Greece and Cyprus. Oh, thank you.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the review of the foreign policy of the United States puts Europe before its responsibilities. We must continue to support Ukraine. It's the best investment we can make for our own defense. The Union's strategic autonomy, particularly in the areas of security and defence, is now an undeniable necessity. ReArm EU, although it sounds ambitious, does not make a difference, and the 800 billion are loans that in no way should be found at the expense of the welfare state, the welfare state, the cohesion funds. Moreover, if the escape clause is not implemented with strict rules to address the strategic needs that we as a Union have, its implementation may create more problems than it attempts to solve. Europe must defend its borders and its citizens against any threat from a third country, whether it concerns the countries of the Baltics and Eastern Europe or the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, such as Greece and Cyprus. Thank you very much.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Commission's work programme is, unfortunately, far inferior to the circumstances. It seems that the President does not understand the new geopolitical environment in which we find ourselves, a world in which all the geopolitical balances and alliances we have known so far have been overthrown. While in the mission letters of both the Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the High Representative there was a clear mandate to draw up a coherent and comprehensive strategy for the Middle East, this has essentially disappeared within some broad phrases. All this while the Middle East is a top priority region for the Union. The ceasefire in Gaza is judged by a thread. Trump's statements destabilize Egypt and Jordan. In Lebanon we have a new beginning. We have regime change in Syria, but we don't know what the next day will be like. We expect, of course, to see the strategy for the Mediterranean in the third quarter of the year. As the first three weeks of the Trump administration have shown us, we are now in a different world. The European Commission must stand ready to support the multilateral system of governance based on the United Nations, respect for international law and the integrity and guarantee of borders and the sovereignty of states. Of course, a good first step is the White Paper on defence that we expect in March. However, the measures that will be described must come immediately. Obviously, the financing of defence investments cannot be at the expense of cohesion policies and the welfare state. Strategic autonomy must finally become a reality from a vision.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pity that the High Representative is not in Parliament today to discuss the Union's policy on the Middle East. A region of particular geopolitical, energy and humanitarian interest for Europe, where developments are ongoing. Unfortunately, the Union is not as present as it should be. Our new strategy should fill this gap immediately, as we are at a particularly critical stage. The ceasefire agreement in Gaza creates a ray of optimism. The provision of humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of the region must be our priority. But President Trump's statements about the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the threat of an end to the ceasefire on Saturday with the addition of new conditions are dynamizing the effort. We mustn't let the opportunity get lost. A two-state solution, a secure Israel and an independent, viable and democratic Palestinian state, is the only option for peace in the region. In Lebanon, the formation of a government after years of stalemate and paralysis is certainly a very positive event. Finally, despite the collapse of the Assad regime, we are still far from talking about the next day. The new leaders will have to prove by deeds that they have renounced their barbaric past. The transitional government and the National Council should be coherent and express all religious and ethnic minorities. We must not allow the intervention of third countries, nor the transformation of Syria into a satellite country. Euro-Syrian relations should be based on the protection of Syria's multicultural mosaic, as well as respect for international law, including the law of the sea, since we all know that Syria has an extensive coastline in the Mediterranean. Europe must be dynamically present, with a strong voice and a comprehensive strategy in the Middle East region. This European strategy is lacking today and must be shaped immediately.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, three years have passed since Vladimir Putin's brutal attack on Ukraine. While the Russian leadership believed that the war would last only a few days, the heroism and determination of the Ukrainians resulted in them resisting vigorously the attacks of the Russians and in addition the Russians using up North Korean soldiers. As Europe, we will continue to provide financial and humanitarian assistance so that Ukraine can maintain basic services for its citizens. To create conditions for its economic and social recovery after the war. In this effort, it is time to apply the polluter pays principle by analogy and make use of confiscated Russian property. Ukraine needs our support also in defence equipment so that it can effectively protect its citizens and infrastructure that are attacked every day. Defend its borders. It is not just an act of solidarity, but a joint investment in the security and prosperity of the whole continent. Especially for countries like Greece, which is on Europe's borders against a revisionist power like Turkey, it is vital to ensure that European borders cannot be changed by force.

Madam President, in the first three weeks of the Trump presidency, we see a coordinated attack on the international regulatory framework we created after World War II. The 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum do not protect American producers, as the President of the United States thinks. On the contrary, it makes everyone poorer, with only ultimately winning China, which, as we know very well, bases its industry on very strong state subsidies. The European Commission must take all necessary measures to protect the European industrial production base and the jobs it creates. The tools exist, as long as we are united and have the decisive political will for effective countermeasures. It is certainly in everyone's interest to keep the channels of communication open. But that does not mean that we will succumb to Mr. Trump's blackmail and demands. It is time for the European Commission to prove that it can rise to the occasion.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Europe is facing a number of historically unprecedented challenges. From Russia’s expansionist war in Ukraine, Turkey’s revisionist practice in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, the crisis in the Middle East, to hybrid attacks on democracy and our societies. Today, more than ever, we must stand united in the face of geopolitical threats, countries and actors who want to divide and weaken us. Cooperation in security and defence is crucial to protect civilians, to ensure peace and stability in our region. Especially after Monday with the Trump administration we have no room for illusions. Europe must defend its own citizens and borders, invest in innovative technologies, strengthen its defence industry with joint programmes, joint orders, but also a defence industrial base that is not limited to some countries. Only in this way will we be able to meet the challenges of the future.

Madam President, Commissioner, since yesterday our world has been in a new era, in uncharted waters. We are in the age of authoritarian capitalism and social media. The first moves of the new US president are indicative: withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization; pardon those who tried to overturn the outcome of the previous elections; limitation of minority rights; renaming the Gulf of Mexico; unthinkable statements on Greenland and Canada. In this new reality, Europe must adapt and prepare for a time when the traditional alliance with the United States will no longer be as stable as before. It is not only the intense isolationism of the new Trump administration, but on many issues and the different approach we have to the world. We must realise that Europe is now alone on the world chessboard, and above all this European Council, which has so far been silent, must realise this. Rather than being horrified by such a development, it should lead us to have a more active role on global issues such as climate change, multilateral cooperation and international security. Especially when it comes to security, we need to be more autonomous and we need to be able to do more. It is time for Europe to work autonomously in a changing world. Take a leading role in defending our values and geopolitical interests.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, after fifteen months of conflict, with Gaza on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe, and more than 50 000 civilians having died, the ceasefire and the release of the first three hostages brings with it a hope, a ray of hope and peace for stability in the region. The next six weeks are crucial for full implementation and for achieving the return of all hostages to their homes. Restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza must be lifted and this peculiar blockade of Palestinians must be stopped. We call on the Government of Israel to reassess its decision to ban the activities of the United Nations humanitarian arm, UNRWA – the only humanitarian provider to millions of Palestinian refugees. It is a matter of respecting international humanitarian law. Now is the opportunity to start negotiations to find a lasting and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, the only one that can guarantee the rights of both peoples. A secure Israel, recognised by its neighbours, and a viable, peaceful, independent and democratic Palestinian state. The international community must offer the support and pressure needed to move the process forward, respecting international law and respecting multilateral organisations such as the United Nations. Especially for us in Europe, the Middle East, I remind you, is next to us. What happens is of direct concern to us. It is not enough for the European Union to be just one of the biggest donors. It must take its share of responsibility by taking all the necessary initiatives.

Madam President, the European perspective of the Western Balkans is a European strategy starting with the Greek Presidency of 2003, which resulted in the formulation of the Thessaloniki Declaration. In this new period it is very important to rekindle the European perspective of these countries. The accession process is not unilateral. It requires effort from the candidate countries, it requires respect for the European acquis, the protection of the rule of law. It requires free elections, the protection of national minorities, such as the Greek national minority in Northern Epirus, and the protection of its properties. It requires good neighbourly relations, respect for international obligations and international treaties. It demands the renunciation of grandiose ideas and dangerous nationalist rhetoric.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I very much welcome the initiative of the new President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, for the December Council to deal with Europe's role in the world. Trump's re-election, wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and regime change in Syria have made the international environment extremely complex. It is necessary for the European Union to be present in international developments, particularly in our wider neighbourhood and I am referring to Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean. We cannot and must not let third countries and powers decide without us, simply because Europe has not yet acquired a single voice. Today, more than ever, there is a need to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy, particularly in the areas of defence and security. The Draghi and Niinisto reports have indicated a number of measures. All that remains for us now is for there to be a political will to implement at least part of these proposals.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, social media has a very important role to play in conveying ideas, shaping perceptions and exchanging views. In elections in particular, their role is very important. Equally important, however, is the responsibility of digital content providers to ensure that the rules are the same for everyone. We cannot allow "algocracy" to prevail, where algorithms made up of tycoons or political elites or foreign governments decide what we see, what we hear, which politicians will have visibility and which will not. Social media platforms, like traditional media, must have specific rules to ensure the integrity of elections. We cannot allow a repetition of what happened in Romania, where some people used TikTok to influence the outcome of the elections. The European Commission must rigorously implement and expand the institutional framework we have voted on for digital services, for the protection of personal data, ultimately for the protection of democracy itself.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, last week the sudden fall of Assad, a dictator who bloodied Syria, surprised everyone and filled Syrian citizens with hope. In less than two weeks, Hayat Tahrir and her leader Al-Golani found themselves in control of Damascus and the country's majority. But nobody at the moment can be sure that the change of this regime will indeed lead to a democratic, inclusive and open Syria and not to the replacement of a bloodthirsty regime by a new one. Hayat Tahrir's jihadist past and her past relationships with al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which led to their inclusion on the list of terrorist organizations, leave no room for complacency. Already the first signs are very worrying, with the new transitional government far from being inclusive. We must not allow Syria to develop into a second Afghanistan on the Mediterranean coast, nor allow the re-emergence of the Islamic State. We must protect Syria's rich religious tradition, including of course the Christian population. We also need to ensure that all ethnic minorities, such as the Kurds, are equally involved in preparing for the next day. The attacks by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army against the Syrian Kurds, which have made a decisive contribution to the fight against the Islamic State, are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. There is a clear risk that civil wars will recommence with unforeseen consequences. Many years of civil war have left a country devastated. The European Union not only has an interest but also a duty to be substantially present in the region, to shape developments and to participate in the plans for the implementation of the next day. The Eastern Mediterranean is our neighbourhood, it is our home and we cannot leave it to other powers.

Madam President, in energy some well-known unknowns are speculating. Taxing their super-profits is not a governmental feat, but, on the contrary, a self-evident obligation. On the contrary, governments should apologise for the lack of international interconnections, internal networks, storage facilities and, above all, market surveillance that allow such speculation. But while some are getting rich, the proportion of Europe's population in energy poverty has reached 10.6%. Even worse in Greece, which is much higher than the European average, as from 17.9% in 2019 today it has reached 19.2%. It is not allowed to have our fellow citizens who are asked to choose whether they will eat or whether they will warm up. You should propose an effective action plan against energy poverty as a mandatory measure in the NECPs, with specific objectives, timelines, policy instruments and funding. In addition, cheap green energy must finally be shown in our citizens' bills. It is a matter of social justice, but also of strengthening resilience, democracy and our societies.

Mr President, this year marks 50 years since Turkey’s barbaric and illegal invasion of Cyprus, as well as 41 years since the proclamation of the pseudo-state in the occupied territories – 37% of the territory of Cyprus. Turkey, while an accession state, continues not to recognise the Republic of Cyprus and not to implement the Ankara Protocol, preventing the full implementation of the customs union. In recent years, President Erdogan has even abandoned the pretexts, openly saying that the only solution is to accept the faits accomplis of the invasion and recognize the pseudo-state. The beginning was the opening of the enclosed area of Famagusta and Varosha. The European Union and the international community must finally push Turkey for the obvious: respect international law, withdraw occupying troops and settlers and agree on a solution based on UN Security Council resolutions, without guarantees and foreign troops.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the report on strengthening civil and military preparedness comes at a time when our world is becoming even more unpredictable and more dangerous. We are in a constant sequence of geopolitical, economic and environmental crises, with the consequences of the climate crisis becoming more and more powerful, more and more frequent. We should be prepared so that we can tackle them effectively and protect European citizens. Our world is no longer as safe as we would like it to be; We have a duty to protect our citizens from invisible enemies, from conventional and less conventional threats. That is why we welcome Mr Niinistö's report, which can contribute to this. We need a new culture of preparation and preparedness. European institutions, national authorities, European societies – together to build on and expand the resilience goals we have established under the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Adopt a preparedness strategy and legislation, a joint European risk assessment report and a common threat perception – be prepared for the worst-case scenario as well. To ensure that the mutual assistance clause in Article 42(7) TEU is not left "empty", that the European Union can effectively defend its Member States. Strengthen defence cooperation between states by activating common tools and, where necessary, acquiring new ones. And, of course, to realize that together we can do more, faster and more efficiently.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the re-election of Donald Trump is bound to have a decisive impact on international political relations. If his first term in the White House is a foretaste of his second, then we should prepare for a Euro-Atlantic relationship that will probably not be at all calm. Contempt for international law and multilateral organisations – such as the United Nations, relinquishing the drive for the green transition, the new trade war – possibly – between the European Union and the United States, cutting aid to Ukraine and effectively distancing ourselves from alliances such as NATO – are challenges to which we will have to respond. The Union should be able to stand alone in the international environment, not hesitate to take action and protect its economy, its industrial base and, ultimately, its social cohesion. To be able to defend its borders from any kind of threat and from any revisionist force. Finally, it will become strategically autonomous.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in a few days Azerbaijan will host COP 29, the World Climate Change Conference. However, the Aliyev regime, instead of complying with its obligations, continues to violate both international law and human rights. Over 300 journalists, human rights defenders, academics and even protesters are imprisoned in inhumane conditions, without access to health services, lawyers and their families. Dr Ibadoghlu, one of this year's three European Parliament nominees for the Sakharov Prize, is under house arrest and his health is at risk. At the same time, Azerbaijan has been destabilizing the wider region in recent years, constantly violating international law. The constant attacks on the territory of Armenia, the invitation to the pseudo-state of occupied Northern Cyprus to participate in the informal session of the Organisation of Turkish States, the two wars in Nagorno-Karabakh, with Russian soldiers watching as spectators the occupation of this Armenian enclave, resulting in the uprooting of over 100 000 Armenians from their ancestral homes, the hostages and prisoners of war still in detention, the attempt to destroy the rich cultural heritage of Armenians in the Artsakh region, all this cannot be accepted. The international community and the European Union must use strong sanctions and any means of pressure at their disposal to ensure that Azerbaijan respects international law and human rights.