Speeches

Madam President, I'm sorry. On the 1169th day of the war, we finally reached the point of talking about peace in the European Parliament. Through stronger diplomatic efforts, the EU could have played a huge role in not waiting until now and in preventing tragedy. However, it is no stranger to the left-liberal majority that controls the European Union to distance itself from reality, to ignore facts if its geopolitical interests so require. This is evidenced by statements made in recent weeks by certain EU politicians and decision-makers, which distort reality and claim that the rights of the Transcarpathian Hungarian community in Western Ukraine are fully guaranteed and that Ukraine has fully fulfilled its commitments in the area of minority rights. I, too, am one of the 150,000 Transcarpathian Hungarians, and I would like to point out that these statements seriously distort the facts and are misleading. I therefore call on EU leaders and politicians to refrain from making such false statements, which not only undermine the credibility of the Union, but also hinder the real democratisation of Ukraine.

Mr. President, please. The report on which today's debate is based is a welcome initiative, as there is no future without water. Factors raised in their interventions, including increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions, increasing water demand and droughts, have highlighted the need for a much more conscious management. There are also positive examples in Hungary, such as our flood protection traditions and programmes based on water retention, such as the Water in the Landscape programme. They show how to protect water resources at the same time as ensuring the competitiveness of the economy, especially agriculture. We believe that agriculture is not the problem, but part of the solution, and that farmers are our partners in sustainable water management, provided that regulations do not make it impossible, but encourage them to do so. This report is a good starting point, but it also has a number of shortcomings, such as respect for national specificities and practical feasibility. We hope that the Commission will take these aspects into account. We are ready for dialogue.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this is the first blue card in this debate, and I would also like to say that I am very sad that your delegation is using these debates in the European Parliament to attack the Hungarian Government for campaign purposes. On the one hand, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that, here in the European Parliament, we should rather talk about solutions. In Hungary, between 5 000 and 8 000 people suffer from rare diseases, of which between 6 000 and 7 000 have been diagnosed. So this is a very complex issue, and I would like to encourage you to follow closely Hungary's second national plan for the treatment of rare diseases.

Dear Mr President, Today we are talking about an important topic that is estimated to affect 30 million people in the EU, yet is often neglected in public discourse. Imagine what it must feel like to be confronted with a diagnosis that hardly anyone has heard of and for which hardly any treatment is available. It is about rare diseases. In addition to the Member States, it is the responsibility of the European Union to ensure timely access to diagnosis and appropriate treatment. That is why we support the Commission's action plan on rare diseases. This is not only a health issue, but also a social one, as the diagnosis is physically and mentally debilitating for both those affected and their family members. I also attach great importance to strengthening and expanding the ERNs. The Hungarian Presidency last year also made this topic a priority, promoting dialogue at European level and better care for stakeholders. I call on the Commission to support Member States in further developing their diagnostic and care capacities.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The European automotive industry is on the brink of a gap. The industry is facing serious competitiveness problems and is lagging behind in the global market. Energy prices triggered by the war and excessive green regulations imposed by the Commission make it impossible for a sustainable but competitive automotive industry to operate. Unfortunately, the action plan presented by the Commission is a missed opportunity. On the one hand, it arrived late, on the other hand, it is not comprehensive enough. The strategic dialogue has, shamefully, failed to properly consult all stakeholders in the industry, and this direction remains unchanged. The automotive industry is being held captive by an excessive and inflexible regulatory system. In addition to eliminating unnecessary and destructive penalties, there is a need for positive incentives. Reduce energy prices, strengthen recharging infrastructure and support all alternative fuel types. Europe needs a strong automotive industry.

Madam President, I'm sorry. In recent years, shortages of critical medicines have become more frequent due to problems in supply chains. This is due to geopolitical factors such as the Russian-Ukrainian war or the coronavirus pandemic, as well as excessive concentration of production and sourcing of raw materials in Asia. Stakeholders had the opportunity to express their views and wishes within the framework of the Critical Medicines Association. We welcome the fact that the Commission has conducted this dialogue and that its proposal reflects the strategic report. The availability and affordability of medicines is of paramount importance to improve the situation of patients, while ensuring the competitiveness and resilience of the European pharmaceutical industry. It is important to stress that the Critical Medicines Act should not increase the administrative burden and that there should be no legal overlap with, for example, the part dealing with medicine package shortages. I welcome the proposal presented and thank Commissioner Várhelyi and his team for preparing it so quickly.

Dear Mr President, War, war, war. We've been hearing this from the media every day for three years. It's terrible to say, but we're getting used to it. We have learned to live with the fact that war is raging in Europe. However, for the population of Ukraine, this is not only a staggering statistic, a terrible recording of what is happening on the battlefield, but also part of their everyday reality. War affects not only the physical state of the country, but also the state of mind of the people, with a serious and irrevocable effect. Millions have left their homes, families have been torn apart, children have grown up without fathers, women have been forced to become family supporters. The population has been reduced by about half. He's exhausted and hopeless. Today, there is only one thing that sustains society: Hope for peace as soon as possible. We know, however, that lasting peace is not born in the noise of weapons, but at the negotiating table. The European Union must become an ambassador of peace for its original purpose. We need a ceasefire and peace talks, and we do not need to support a protracted war that will result in the loss of human lives. It is our duty to create peace, to put an end to human suffering and to protect the mental health of children and young people growing up in the shadow of war, so that they can finally start building a future for them.

Oh, Mr. President. It is unacceptable that politicians in some EU candidate countries who stand up for the rights and interests of their communities are subjected to intimidation and pressure. Unfortunately, this is also the case in Ukraine, where a website, Myrotvorets, has been operating undisturbed with the knowledge of the authorities for years. The so-called list of deaths and enemies published on the website included a number of people, including women politicians, who took steps to restore the rights of the Transcarpathian Hungarian community. The website has unlawfully disclosed the confidential information of individuals, putting their security at risk. The website also listed Andrea Bocskor, a Transcarpathian MEP from the previous term, for standing up for the rights of national minorities. This makes it impossible for him to return to his own home. Despite the fact that the operation of the website has been condemned by some senior officials of the European Union and called for the removal of the content, the Ukrainian authorities have not yet taken the necessary steps. The European Union should be more vigilant to ensure that such sites do not operate in candidate countries that are committed to democratic values. A candidate country must ensure a political environment free from intimidation, the right to the protection of personal data and the obligation to prevent all forms of hate speech.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The basis of human life is clean drinking water. Our bodies are 60 percent water. Without this liquid treasure, we will only survive for a few days at most. Yet millions of citizens in the European Union do not have access to clean drinking water. Adequate drinking water supply for pregnant women and children is a particularly serious issue. Climate change, pollution and unsustainable agricultural practices are all seriously threatening our water resources. Water supply, on the other hand, is energy-intensive. The economic crisis affecting European industry, to which the war contributed, has only made access to drinking water more expensive for Europeans. Hungary's Basic Law guarantees the right to health, and in particular highlights the provision of access to healthy drinking water, while one of the most affordable, clean drinking water is available to households. Since 2007, all settlements have access to drinking water, 95 percent of households are connected to the mains water network, which makes good quality water available. I welcome the fact that the Drinking Water Directive introduces for the first time an obligation at EU level to assess and improve access to safe drinking water. Safe and affordable drinking water for all is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right.

Dear Mr President, Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. One in three women in the world has experienced sexual or physical violence at least once in their lives. That is why it is important to keep this topic on the agenda here in the European Parliament, and for us MEPs to give a voice to the often silent victims. There is much talk about the fact that violence against women most often occurs in women's own homes, and perhaps less talk about the fact that women are then most at risk in public spaces and on the streets. I often travel alone in Europe and beyond. During my travels, I have experienced the anxiety that many women feel when they travel alone after dark. The tension of squeezing your mobile phone in your pocket or the acceleration of your footsteps when a shadow behind your back seems too close. I am lucky, as Hungary is one of the 20 safest countries in the world, where women can travel bravely even after dark. However, this security is not self-evident, but the result of the conscious actions of the Hungarian government. It is thanks to a well-thought-out immigration policy and continuous improvements in public safety. This could also be a guideline for other European countries in strengthening women's sense of security. Every woman deserves security, whether it's at home, on the streets, in the workplace or in the world of the Internet.

I wanted to respond to my fellow Member, András Kulja, but unfortunately he has already left the room. I would recommend him to investigate Hungary's climate policy more thoroughly, as Hungary has made significant progress in this area in recent years. Let's look at the data. Since 2010, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of a unit of GDP have decreased by nearly 28% in Hungary. Between 2010 and 2021, the share of renewables in electricity use increased from 7.7 to almost 14 %. He should know about this data, too.

Dear Mr President, I welcome the initiative to pay more attention to the mental health of the citizens of the European Union, which is increasingly deteriorating. Four out of six people have these problems. And that's no wonder, just think about the coronavirus pandemic or the Russo-Ukrainian war. I am from Transcarpathia, Ukraine. In the European Parliament, besides the Hungarian people, I also represent the Transcarpathian Hungarians. Today, on the 958th day of the war, the people of Ukraine are experiencing immeasurable suffering. Slowly everyone has a family member or acquaintance who was lost or disabled in the war. Women face daily problems without men, children grow up without fathers, while air raids are commonplace. Can we feel the tormenting insecurity and fear that these innocent people experience every day? Members of Parliament! The desire for peace is not a political resolution, but the innermost desire of ordinary people, including the Hungarian people of Transcarpathia who have suffered a lot. It is time to stand up for peace.

Madam President, I'm sorry. This is my first speech as a new Member of the European Parliament and I am proud to speak on an important topic that affects many people in my country, in Hungary and in other countries of Central Europe. These are catastrophic floods that currently threaten or even destroy settlements, livelihoods and family homes in the most severe cases. As a representative of the Patriots for Europe Group, I express my deepest condolences to the victims of the floods and thank the rescue and protection services and volunteers who are doing their heroic work on the ground as we do our best here in the European Parliament. The current severe flooding highlights the practical effects of climate change. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent. At the same time, in this situation, we must also pay attention to people affected by floods. They need help, and they need it right away. Honourable Members, the European Union must act urgently! Collaboration is needed to ensure that aid reaches affected communities. The quickest way to secure aid is to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and conditionality. Our response must be guided by humanitarian principles and not by a cold administrative logic. I ask you to show that we are committed to the common value of solidarity and to ensure that those who suffer the horrors of the floods receive all the help they need immediately. Let us not abandon our suffering fellow European citizens.