Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I understand that immigration is an arena of ideological controversy, but we must agree on some commonly accepted points. Firstly, the European Union has external borders and must be able to protect them. Secondly, Frontex's role is not just to observe our maritime borders, but to effectively monitor them. It is the ultimate institutional guarantor that the migration and asylum pact will work successfully and those who try to weaken its role are giving the green light to a Europe with internal borders and controls. Thirdly, national coastguards and Frontex save thousands of lives every day. We owe them thanks, not doubts. Fourth. Europe needs to be more effective in returning migrants and use its bargaining power for agreements with them that are respected. Fifth. Primary flows also mean secondary flows. This means that we need to show greater solidarity also in terms of European funding in the countries of first reception. In conclusion, the most important thing is that in these critical moments we need unity instead of obsessions and unilateral actions.

(non-microphone intervention principle) ... By 2070, Europe will represent only 4% of the world's population. We all recognize our common problem. Now is the time to find common solutions. Solutions that will gain immediate application in our daily lives and which will have social cohesion as a compass. Solutions that will support young couples, ensuring the necessary work-life balance. Such policies have been promoted by the Greek government through the favourable housing loan programmes "House 1" and "House 2", as well as through the presentation of the first national action plan on demographics with a 10-year horizon. This long-term strategic planning path must be followed by all European societies. This is also our responsibility as members of the REGI Committee. To take initiatives aimed at strengthening the silver economy and regional development in order to revive our continent as a whole. Ladies and gentlemen, we must now act so that we do not let our Europe fade away.

Madam President, organised crime is a constant threat that hovering over our way of life, our economy and our security, but it is also a constant reminder for all of us to be faster and more effective. We must also become more relentless towards those who exploit human suffering, speculate on people's misery and injure the social fabric of our Union. Because, ladies and gentlemen, for every boat that attempts to cross Europe's borders with a load of human souls, for every new drug that floods our countries, for every cyberattack on our internal security, the first thing that is tested is our determination and our values. Values that Europol and Frontex can preserve if we continue to strengthen them effectively. But we must not have any illusions. These illegal activities are particularly lucrative. What we need to do as a Union is to follow the dark flow of money and throw the spotlight on the underworld. My country has declared war on migrant smuggling networks in recent years. We guard Europe's eastern borders with consistency and determination. In Greece, we have faced many challenges, such as uncontrolled irregular migration through open borders and the instrumentalisation of migrants from third countries. That is why we know full well that jerky, unilateral actions do not work. Solutions are needed that promote fair sharing of responsibility, but also strengthen solidarity with the European family. The Migration and Asylum Pact is moving in this direction and needs to be implemented. Organised crime, unfortunately, has both defence and survival mechanisms. It has cost us as Europe over €139 billion, with over 5,000 criminal groups operating on European territory. We can no longer tolerate such groups acting uncontrollably at the expense of our citizens. It is time to act decisively.

Mr President, it is with great emotion that I address the plenary session of the European Parliament for the first time, an institution whose determination was enough to unlock the Albanian cell where I stayed for 16 months. Today I am here as a minority MEP who comes from a country of the European Union and was born in a country that wants to become a member of the European family. Unfortunately, however, this country is constantly moving away from the European acquis instead of approaching it. The current situation in Albania shows how reforms can easily turn into totalitarian bombs on the foundations of a democratic state. The Albanian government has made justice its arm on many occasions, which it has done not only in my case, but also in that of the leader of the main opposition. Our Union now faces an oxymoron: the more her support for Mr Rama’s leadership is taken for granted, the stronger the anti-European sentiment among the country’s citizens. In the Western Balkans, ladies and gentlemen, respect for the European acquis must be the only way forward for the accession of candidate states. Any retreat would automatically mean a defeat of our common values.