What Helmut spoke about.

2

Apr

2025

Speeches DE

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Execution spree in Iran and the confirmation of the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner! Iran is a beautiful, wonderful country with a wonderful population, a very interesting history and at the same time a government that does everything it can to destroy this country and above all to destroy the people of this country – with a very special organisation, the so-called Revolutionary Guards. It is important to me that we also call them a terrorist organization and declare them for it, because this is also an economic organization that also gives a lot of money to the mullahs who destroy the people. And we've already talked about it: The people sentenced to death – almost 1 000 in a year –; Two have been named. But I want to talk to someone else: Mahwasch Sabet. A writer who was sentenced to 10 years in prison at the age of 70, having been in prison several times. It is almost a death penalty. And why? Just because she is Baha'i. And I just want to read a few words from this writer, and that says it all: “You are the man in the cage, becoming zero among other zeros. And believe what is not wa(h)r, and confess what you have not done.’

1

Apr

2025

Speeches EN

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Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, I had a wonderful teacher as a journalist, Hugo Portisch. He learned in America, and he told me it's the land of the free speech – that's what we have to take to Europe. And that's what he did, and that's how we grew up. And now if I listen to Mr Trump, he hates journalists, he wants to decide who's reporting, and this Mr Vance is coming to Europe and he says there is no freedom of speech. No, no, it's the other way round. There is no freedom of speech in America any more. It's worse. There are TV stations in America where they publish Russian propaganda. And now we have to tell that that's why we need strong media in Europe. But also, I mean, all the right-wing extremists are gone, but they should know, in Hungary, they also publish Russian propaganda, and there is no freedom in Hungary. And they don't want to realise that. And one more important sentence: if it's Mr Trump, if it's Madam Le Pen, you have to accept the verdict of courts. That's rule of law. That's the division of power. That's how our freedom, that's how Europe works, and it's very important. And we will fight that it remains like this.

11

Mar

2025

Speeches DE

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White paper on the future of European defence (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, We, my generation, we are the happiest generation that has grown up in Europe, in free Europe. And it is the responsibility of our generation and those who have subsequently been given the freedom to ensure that the next generations can also live in peace and freedom. I always say: We haven't done anything about it, but now we need to do something to ensure that we can defend Europe for the next generations – and we can only do that together. We can only do this together. And then sometimes it says: Yes, Russia is weak, what are they supposed to do to us? Mr Eroglu has already said very clearly: We must bear in mind Putin’s brutality – he has been murdering people since 1999; We have heard today how the people of Ukraine are suffering from him. And he also threatens us, and many of us do not want to take note of that, and that is the sad thing. There is also disinformation, which is very good. And unfortunately, there are also many people sitting in this house – now no longer, they are already elsewhere – who take part in Putin’s disinformation, who translate what he says in Russian into German, English, other languages and thus endanger us. We must also defend ourselves against this.

10

Mar

2025

Speeches EN

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Establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova (debate)

Madam President, first of all, I want to say Austria has a good tradition, more than 20 years of development cooperation with Moldova, so we know very good development. And so thank you, Commissioner, that you talked about the enlargement of the EU also with Moldova within the next years. Of course, we see the geopolitical situation. We see what Russia is doing. Russia is destroying; Europe helps – Europe helps with development solidarity. Russia uses energy to blackmail you; the EU installs solar panels and connects the energy centres. Russia divides; the EU unites. And – that I saw as an election observer – the Moldovans are strong. They defend their democracy, and we have to help them there as well. One more thing: there is beautiful soil there, they are great agriculture, wine we know, and also wonderful culture. It's always great to listen to Moldovan singers, like Valentina Nafornița. If she is in Vienna State Opera, in any other opera, please go listen to her, she's wonderful, like many others as well.

11

Feb

2025

Speeches EN

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Political crisis in Serbia (debate)

Madam President, Madam Commissioner, Minister, I would like also to express my deepest condolences with the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy. Here's the point: it has to be investigated, but people do not believe that Vučić allows a real investigation. What the people want and why they go on the street: they want rule of law, they want freedom of speech, they want to express without limitation and violence. And what people in Serbia tell me is they don't want to see Vučić every night on television to say the same things. Sometimes people get fed up with it. The students are protesting because they need, because they want the rule of law. They want transparency. They are fighting for their future and for their country, and they can be proud of their commitment. Here in Parliament, we stand for these young people. And Ms Kos, thank you very much for your clear expression. But I'm afraid not everybody in the Commission sees it like you. I think the Commission has to be very clear to Mr Vučić: if you want to be part of the European Union, it's the rule of law, it's the freedom of media, with all the possibilities that people can live in free freedom and peace.

11

Feb

2025

Speeches DE

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Continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression (debate)

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, Minister, dear disciples, many important things have been said. I want to concentrate on one group of the victims and that is the children. Just imagine you have a child, you go to bed and you don't know if the child is still alive the next day in the morning, there might be a rocket from Russia. Imagine your child has cancer, you bring it to a hospital and it's killed by a rocket in this hospital. Imagine you have children and they are kidnapped, brought to another country where they tell you that your mother language doesn't really exist and that you have to learn a new one. That's what's happening and that's one of the reasons why we have to support, why we have to continue to support the Ukrainians. Mr President! I would like to say in German to my fellow citizens in Austria: Putin is also fighting us. He is already waging a hybrid war against us, and if he conquers Ukraine, he is 500 km from Vienna. Putin wants us not to live in freedom. What I have always heard in Ukraine – we do not want to be Putin’s slaves – applies to all of us in Europe. That's why we stand together for Ukraine. Slava Ukrajini!

22

Jan

2025

Speeches FR

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Case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria

Madam President, Commissioner, 'I do not agree with what you are saying, but I will fight to the death so that you have the right to say it'. These words attributed to Voltaire are at the heart of European values. The arrest of Boualem Sansal violates the fundamental principle of democracy: freedom of expression. His arrest is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader crackdown on dissenting voices critical of this authoritarian regime: Hundreds more have been arrested for offences as trivial as an anti-government hashtag. The Algerian people deserve to enjoy the same freedoms and prosperity as the citizens of the European Union. These freedoms and prosperity are interlinked; Some cause others. It is therefore essential that the Algerian penal code, a tool of oppression, be reformed and that the rule of law be respected. The best way to start is to release all political prisoners.

22

Jan

2025

Speeches EN

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Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency (debate)

Madam President, I would like to thank the Prime Minister for for talking about security. I'm from Austria – a neutral country – and for us, it's also very important. I have to inform you that we have a right-wing party, FPÖ, pro-Putin, and they are against Sky Shield now. All the other parties are in favour of Sky Shield because security is so important for us. But now, your friends in the Österreichische Volkspartei – in the People's Party – they also against Sky Shield now. So I really ask probably you can talk to them, talk about security, talk about how important this is for us, because we all know that we are in danger from Putin's rockets, and we want to live in peace and security together in our common Europe.

21

Jan

2025

Speeches DE

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Further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner! In Australia, I'm sometimes asked: Why are you dealing with Georgia? Then I can say: Yes, because Georgia was once a prime example of democracy and has become an authoritarian state; No, it was made an authoritarian state by an oligarch, a man who just wanted to make money, along with another, an unscrupulous man, the one in Moscow, a war criminal who wants to occupy the next country. I already know that this does not bother the colleagues from the AfD, because of course you cannot do anything with democracy, especially not with what you can do, that this is a European people, an old European cultural people, and the people there want to live like us. They want to live in freedom. They want to live with democrats, with democracy, they want to have normal democratic media, and they are not allowed to do that, and that is why it goes without saying that we stand up for them. It was impressive how President Surabishvili was there, and I thank all those who were there, whether it was Mr Roth from the German Bundestag or others. Clear words: Dear people of Georgia, we are on your side, we do not forget you.

21

Jan

2025

Speeches EN

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Need for actions to address the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, it's 31 years that this dictator, this ruthless dictator, imprisons and tortures his opponents. He brutally represses the public and hands over his country to the Kremlin. By the way, it's interesting there are no Patriots here, no Patriots speaking. Why? Because they are Putin's propagandists. They wouldn't be critical to Lukashenka because they are all in one camp. It's not a patriotic camp. It's a camp against Europe. It's hard for us, for Europeans, to imagine what is really happening in Belarus. But it's a terrible reality every day for these people. They are fellow Europeans. They deserve what we have – a free country, freedom. Every vote counts, and now Lukashenka wants to steal another election. But he's not a president. He's illegitimate. He's a criminal, and he belongs at a tribunal. We are on the side of the freedom‑loving people in Belarus, of the strong opposition, the Belarusian democratic forces, and with Ms Tsikhanouskaya, who was here with us. We will work together. She's very optimistic. I can only say Zhyve Belarus!

20

Jan

2025

Speeches DE

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Exactly 44 years ago, as an Austrian, as a young Austrian, I was allowed to start a traineeship at the European Commission – all young people. It was clear to us: Our fathers shot each other, we live in a better Austria. Then it took a few more years and exactly 30 years ago Austria joined the European Community – a unique success story. The EU is a peace project, especially for a small country like Austria. It is an economic project: Austrians benefit from the EU at around €5,000 per year. The EU is also a union of values. I've just been to Poland, there's a program Restoring the Rule of Law – This means that the rule of law must be restored because it did not exist in the last government. From this you can see: We have to work together, we have to rely on each other. Then we can keep this Europe safe and peaceful for the next generations. I look forward to the next 30 years.

18

Dec

2024

Speeches EN

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Continued repression of civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, Anar Mammadli, Kamran Mammadli, Rufat Safarov and Meydan TV

Mr President, dear colleagues, you already talked about Doctor Gubad Ibadoghlu and we talked to him and at the same time there was his daughter, and she cannot go to him and he cannot go to her. I have two daughters and I really have a hard time not talking about this – how impossible is this situation for these people? We know about the hundreds of millions, obviously, that Aliyev and his people are stealing and bringing to London, to Europe, to any places. Okay, he wants to be rich, but why do they have to be so cruel? Why is it not possible that a father can meet a daughter and a daughter can meet the father? That's something which is really incredible and that's why we have to do something, and we have to tell him we don't want to have any business with those people. We have to tell him that this is not the way you can do business with European nations. We have to be much clearer and we have to tell the real, very clear message to the people of Azerbaijan: we continue to support you in your fight for you to have a country free of corruption and free of this political violence.

18

Dec

2024

Speeches EN

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11th year of the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and the deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Crimea, notably the cases of Iryna Danylovych, Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Amet Suleymanov

Mr President, dear colleagues, you are very right: we have to do something and not only talk about it. But first of all we have to explain it also to our voters, to the people in Europe, what is happening in Crimea. It didn't start in 2022 – no, it was more than eight years before. Then, many European companies, also Austrian companies, continued to have business with Putin, which is a problem. We have to talk now about it. We have to tell it because they said Russian gas does not stink but yes, it does stink – it stinks like gunpowder! But we also have to explain to the public in Europe what happened in Crimea. It's not ethnic cleansing – I don't like this word – actually, they just tried to harass all the Tatars, to harass the Ukrainians, and some of them really had to watch out that they were not killed. It's very difficult for politicians to understand, but we have to say it again: it doesn't make sense to appease Putin. He only respects us when we do things, when we tell him 'we are not afraid of you', when we fight. Also, again, I want to say: free all political prisoners!

17

Dec

2024

Speeches EN

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Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, for years already, Putin has been waging a war against us Europeans in different ways, with obvious lies, like his essay a year before the full-scale occupation of Ukraine, that there was no Ukrainian nation existing. He complained that we do not see how great the Soviet Union was and he always said that there are no borders for the Russkiy Mir. All this was no accident – his tactic was hybrid warfare, taking land by force and taking people's mind by lies. This strategy was paying off here in the European Union, very often with right-wing extremists. I really wonder there was a colleague from the Patriots for Europe who also sees how terrible Putin is – so some people are learning and I'm very happy about that. It's not the same case in Austria – they still love Putin and say everything is fine what he is doing. But we have to stand up against him. That's the reason why I really call on the Commission – you have to do something. Kaja Kallas explained how we defend ourselves against misinformation, but we have to do information. I've been a correspondent for a long time in Germany, also in East Germany – the East Germans, they wanted another regime because another government, because they saw it from Western television, that life there was better, the rule of law was better, and so on and so forth. We have to explain to the Russians what rule of law means. We have to explain to them what democracy means, not disinformation. We have to give them information also by the internet, by all the means we have, and then they have a problem, Putin has a problem, but not us anymore.

17

Dec

2024

Speeches DE

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Misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, such as TikTok, and related risks to the integrity of elections in Europe (debate)

Mr President! Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Russia and China are interfering in our democracy, interfering in our elections. The right-wing extremists do not bother, but they are even happy about it, and then they come and talk about censorship. The interesting thing is: They use the same phrases used by the Putin propagandists. We see a strong connection here. So these are Putin's friends who are here to express their opinion, no, Putin's opinion. Social media, of course, is information, it's entertainment. But these people – Putin – also use them as weapons and I say: Finally wake up! We have to fight back. We know that there are people who publish on our social media – even though they are sanctioned for representing dictatorships, for calling for genocide against Ukrainians. This is also criminally prohibited. And how can they come out and say: ‘All this should be said’? No, there is a criminal law, there is decency! They obviously have nothing to do with it. Because Karl Popper was mentioned, the Austrian Sir Karl Popper, one last word: Optimism is a duty.

26

Nov

2024

Speeches IT

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Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia (debate)

23

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

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Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security (debate)

Mr President, Mr Commissioner, we Europeans, we have an idea of freedom and democracy based on enlightenment. Dictators have a plan to destroy our life, to destroy our values. And part of the values, Mr László, is media freedom. Putin attacked Ukraine with rockets, but he also attacks us by other means. Also Russia, China, Iran and other illiberal actors, they are waging a hybrid war against our democracy. This information in the media, bribing governments, bribing people, as we saw in Moldova, sabotaging our infrastructure, these are their weapons. So, ladies and gentlemen, we also have to have a plan. We have to have a plan to defend our democracy. What do we need? You mentioned it, Mr Commissioner, it's a cyber security. I think it's cooperation of the different countries, also of the services, cooperation with countries we can trust. And I hope that the new Austrian Government will be a government where you also can trust. We already had the Interior minister, where we know other services did not trust him. And we need, of course, a hub of exchange. We have to talk to each other. We have to inform each other about the attacks against our freedom and our democracy. So we have a plan. We need a plan. We have to work together. Freedom, democracy, our values. We will save it for the children and their children.

22

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

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Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (debate)

Mr President, Mr Commissioner, if I understood you rightly, you said that COP29 is a chance for Mr Aliyev to show that there are human rights in Azerbaijan. I'm afraid he doesn't care for human rights. He probably doesn't even know the word. If I think back to Sochi 2014, what happened a few months after Sochi? Did Putin care for human rights? No, he occupied Crimea. And with Aliyev you also see a clear pattern. He cracks down on anyone who dares to criticise him. And this way we are even legitimising COP29. The billions of euros he spends on luxury properties in London, Dubai and wherever else is not his money. He stole it from the people of Azerbaijan. What is also a topic: he does not only throw people into the prison in his country or kill people in his country, he even does it in Europe. There's the case of Vidadi Isgandarli. He was attacked in France by three men and died from his injuries. So we have to see Azerbaijan. It's a cruel dictatorship and it's wrong to give him the COP29.

22

Oct

2024

Speeches IT

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Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, dear Commissioner, Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, said, 'If I had to choose between a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I would prefer the latter'. Freedom of media is the basis of democracy. Putin, of course, kills democracy. But as we see these days, in his country, in Ukraine and in other countries, he kills human beings; He kills journalists. There is an incomplete list of more than 100 journalists who have been tortured or wounded or even killed. And why are they in Ukraine? Because they give us the possibility to understand what's happening there. They give us the possibility to learn the facts. As a lifelong journalist, I know that the most important job of a journalist is to report the facts so that the public can understand what's going on. There are so many documentaries about what Putin and his soldiers are doing in Ukraine. We are very grateful to those wonderful journalists who told us these stories, and the sad story is that many of them were killed. And I know, Madam President, that you cannot show a book. But today I want to show some photographs. (The speaker shows photos of victims) These are human beings. These are people we knew. These are people who worked for us. They are, of course, from Ukraine, but also from Russia. Oksana Baulina worked for Navalny and she was also killed because she wanted to show us the truth.

9

Oct

2024

Speeches DE

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Recent devastating floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen! First of all, I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina here. I know many have lost their loved ones. A lot has been destroyed. And I have a very clear message to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina: We, the European Union, are on your side. Immediately after seeing the first damage, I spoke on the phone with the Austrian Foreign Ministry and it was made clear to me: Yes, the European Union Civil Protection Programme will be put into effect immediately. Many, many countries will help, and this is also very important. But I have another message: From my visits to Sarajevo and also from conversations with people from Bosnia and Herzegovina in Austria, I know that there is often a difference between political parties on the one hand and civil society on the other. Many people in civil society, NGOs, want to join the European Union because they know that this is a huge advantage for people. Many in politics do not yet see it this way, and when I have often asked “What should be the next step? What do you want next?”, not much has come of it. The disaster now is quite terrible, but it is also an opportunity. It must show politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina that only together with civil society can they now repair this damage to the disaster. And there is a lot to do. We must also prepare ourselves for the next natural disasters that will occur, but at the same time see that everything can only be organised together, that society grows together in such a way that it also advances this accession to the European Union together across all ethnicities. We know that this is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We know that it is important for the European Union that the countries of the Western Balkans come to us. We have to do it together. Once again, all the best to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are with you, we do not forget you – quite the contrary. The European Union, many countries will help, and I hope that you will all survive this terrible natural disaster well now.

9

Oct

2024

Speeches DE

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Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency (debate)

Madam President, Mr Orbán, you have spoken of competition on a number of occasions. Why do you discriminate against Austrian companies through higher taxes? And if there is a case before the European Court of Justice, then there is also harassment against these companies. That doesn't bother Mr Vilimsky. This bothers me, because I am the lawyer for the Austrian companies. You spoke of competition with China – yes, this is very important – and you continue to go into debt in China, becoming dependent on this dictatorship. What is Hungary's debt to China? They want more contact, more business with Russia. Are you aware that Putin is a war criminal? And your foreign minister was only recently in Iran to establish stronger economic relations between Hungary and Iran. This is a terror regime. They say they are for Israel. At the same time, Iran wants to wipe out Israel. How can you do good business with this regime? And personally, I would like to ask you: If you're always accused of corruption – and you know it's true – what does that actually do to you?

8

Oct

2024

Speeches DE

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The democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner! We're talking about Georgia, but we're talking about Europe. We are talking about right-wing extremists talking about Georgia's sovereignty, but we think Georgia should submit to Putin. They are against foreign influences and at the same time they are happy about Putin's influences. They are pleased that Georgia has passed a Russian law that harms Georgians. These gentlemen do not want to take note of the fact that the Georgians are Europeans and that they also want to live in peace and freedom. They stand for democracy. They want a lively political system in which they can have a say. Of course, they also wish that their country is united, that their country can live together again and that there are no more occupied territories. I think we just have to see that this Russian influence is doing so much damage to Georgians. Dear friends in Georgia, you must fight for your freedom, you must fight for your independence, but you can assume: We are on your side.

8

Oct

2024

Speeches RO

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Strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, we Europeans love liberal democracy. The Moldovans are Europeans, so they also love democracy. On the other hand, Putin – there's nothing more than he hates than our democracy, and because Moldova is a democratic country, he also hates Moldova. So the Kremlin sends titushky, brutal street gangs, to hijack the pro-European government. He spreads propaganda and lies through his puppets and social media. He blackmails Moldovans with gas and electricity, and instructs his oligarchs to buy votes. None of this will work because the people of Moldova, they have made that choice. They want to be part of Europe and not of the crumbling Russkiy Mir. They have a very strong president, Maia Sandu. I really admire her and met her a few times, and I'm very impressed. I'm confident the people of Moldova will again say 'yes' in the referendum. Dear Moldovans, Moldova is part of Europe! We're with you! We stand with you.

7

Oct

2024

Speeches DE

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The reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of Member States and its impact on the Schengen Area (debate)

Mr President! The borderless Europe is not a dream, but we already had this reality. But unfortunately, as Mr Negrescu has rightly said, fear of right-wing populists has meant that we have not allowed Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area. Representatives of Romania and Bulgaria demonstrated in Vienna that it makes sense to no longer control the borders within the two countries, but to make strong external borders. That's what we wanted, that's what we should have done together, but the fear of a state election prevented that. And vice versa: Viktor Orbán, who just sends people through, he really torpedoed Schengen and not these two countries. That is why I would like to appeal that – and this has been rightly said, because Romania and Bulgaria fulfil all the conditions – we include them in the Schengen area and that we then strengthen the external borders. And then we can live this borderless Europe again.

18

Sep

2024

Speeches EN

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The severe situation of political prisoners in Belarus

Madam President, Commissioner, I'm thinking about Sergei Tikhanovsky and all the other prisoners, and especially about their families. I'm in regular contact with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and she gave me a short message for all of you: 'Belarusians are Europeans. We share the same values and dreams. And one day, Belarus will take our rightful place in the European family.' But until then, we have to help the opposition. We must fight for the political prisoners in Lukashenka's dungeons, those who sacrificed everything and stood up to tyranny. Lukashenka is not a legitimate president. Everybody knows it – probably he knows it himself. Lukashenka allowed, as we know, the Russians, to bomb and destroy Ukrainian cities from the territory of Belarus. He handed Belarus over to Putin and turned it into a Russian colony. Lukashenka – and that's very important – Lukashenka and these criminals must face tougher sanctions, but sanctions against him and not against the people of Belarus. And we need more people-to-people contact with the people of Belarus. And one more point: Belarusian media in exile is the only source of truth for many Belarusians living under tyranny. We must continue to support civil society, media and democratic forces in Belarus. And one more thing, which I know from my conversations with Ms Tikhanovskaya, the people in the prisons of Belarus, they hear when we talk about them, they know that we think about them. It's very important – I can tell you, we will not abandon you. We will not forget you.