What Nikos spoke about.

18

Jun

2026

EL Speech

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Joint Declaration on ‘Culture for Europe - Europe for Culture’ (debate)

12

Mar

2026

EL Speech

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Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2024 (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the report we are debating today is supposed to be about the work of the European Ombudsman. Unfortunately, however, the text we are asked to vote on reflects neither the actual content of the investigations nor its role. Instead, it targets civil society. The Ombudsman did not accuse NGOs of undermining democracy, she stressed the need for tran…

17

Dec

2025

EL Speech

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The urgent need to combat discrimination in the EU through the horizontal anti-discrimination directive (topical debate)

Madam President, equality is not a slogan, nor is it applied selectively. It is a fundamental commitment of the European Union, enshrined in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. And yet today this commitment remains incomplete, simply because some are blocking it. For more than 15 years, we have been sitting and discussing whether we should move forward, thus leaving millions of peo…

16

Dec

2025

EL Speech

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Grids package and tackling raising energy prices through robust infrastructure (debate)

25

Nov

2025

EL Speech

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Protection of minors online (debate)

Madam President, today we are called upon to vote on a report that touches on one of our most urgent responsibilities. Ensure that children can grow up, learn and participate in the digital world without being exposed to risks. Digital spaces are now an integral part of their daily lives, and the European Union must set the standards for a safe and human-centric digital environment. However, the p…

9

Oct

2025

EL Speech

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Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2024 (debate)

Mr President, the annual report of the Committee on Petitions reminds us of something fundamental: that European citizens turn to our committee when they feel that European law is being violated in their own countries. When they feel that the institutions at the national level do not listen to them, they turn to us as the last line of defense of their rights. The PETI Committee must respond to the…

8

Oct

2025

EL Speech

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Promoting EU digital rules: protecting European sovereignty (debate)

Mr President, in an international environment of increasing geopolitical pressures, it is crucial to protect the European regulatory model for the digital economy. To defend our right to set our own rules and standards. The European Union needs to make full use of all its tools to ensure high standards for citizens and businesses, but also to boost investment in digital infrastructure. We need dig…

6

Oct

2025

EL Speech

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Role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, first of all I would like to thank and congratulate our rapporteur for the excellent, close and effective cooperation we have had. We all agree that sport is not just fun, it's not a spectacle, it's not just business. Sport is a social good, a carrier of values and a tool for cohesion. The European sport model must serve society, promote inclusiveness and be based on so…

10

Sep

2025

EL Speech

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Detention of EU citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Mr President, I come from Cyprus, my mother lived and grew up in Varosha, Famagusta, until she was 12 years old, until she was forced to leave her home to save her life after the illegal invasion of the Turks. Neither my grandmother nor my grandfather stopped talking to me about the pain of uprooting and the injustice they experienced. Tell me, too, if you were illegally taken home, how would you …

8

Jul

2025

EL Speech

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State of play of implementation of the European Media Freedom Act in the Member States (debate)

Mr President, media freedom is not a luxury, it is the foundation of our democracy. And when it breaks that foundation, it breaks our own democracy. The regulation of media freedom is here to bring order. The European Union sets clear rules, obligations and protection mechanisms. What does it say in simple words? That state advertising cannot be shared under the table on lists of political criteri…

18

Jun

2025

EL Speech

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Stopping the genocide in Gaza: time for EU sanctions (topical debate)

Madam President, we are faced with a historical disgrace, which will remain an example to be avoided for future generations. Entire cities have been razed, entire families have been wiped out, 90% of the population has been displaced. For so many months that this crime has taken place, you – most of you – are indifferent. Don't these people have any value to you? Don't you count them? Don't you co…

17

Jun

2025

EL Speech

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Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) (debate)

Madam President, this directive is a very important step in the right direction, but that alone is not enough. It's not just about punishing the culprits. It is also about freeing the victims from the burden of silence and shame. To do this, we must ensure that these crimes are never time-barred. Not for revenge, but for justice. The child who is abused must not carry the trauma for life without t…

31

Mar

2025

EL Speech

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European Cultural Compass as a driving force for economic competitiveness and resilience (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, culture is not just a compass for Europe. It's her soul. It unites us, teaches us and helps us to dream and build a better future. Unfortunately, nowadays, the values it represents, such as freedom, diversity, diversity and dialogue, are under threat. Extreme voices seek to divide rather than unite. For example, in my own country, a Member of Parliament vandalised wo…

12

Mar

2025

EL Speech

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Union of Skills: striving for more and better opportunities to study, train or work in the EU and to bring our talents back home (debate)

Mr. President, good evening. The proposal for a Union of Skills to enhance opportunities to study, train and work in the European Union is undoubtedly necessary. But the European Union often puts forward the concept of competitiveness and growth as a panacea for our society. But we cannot ignore the fact that there is an ever-increasing inequality. The aim should not only be to strengthen competit…

11

Mar

2025

EL Speech

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Deteriorating situation in Gaza following the non-extension of the ceasefire (debate)

Madam President, good evening. Not extending the ceasefire was not just a diplomatic failure. It was the sentencing of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Israel continues to bomb mercilessly, destroying entire neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, refugee camps. And, of course, the death toll is rising, with children paying the highest price. This is not self-defense, gentlemen, let's not pretend, let's…

11

Feb

2025

EL Speech

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Boosting vocational education and training in times of labour market transitions (debate)

Madam President, in the world of the modern economy, the constant technological and economic upheavals are having a dramatic impact on the labour market. The use of artificial intelligence and digitalisation require new forms of vocational education and training to meet the real needs of workers. Vocational guidance since high school, vocational education and training must develop into a means of …

22

Jan

2025

EL Speech

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Addressing EU demographic challenges: towards the implementation of the 2023 Demography Toolbox (debate)

Mr President, let me speak to you not as a politician but as a young man. In a Europe of economic insecurity, punctuality and housing crisis, how can a young person make the decision to start a family? Let me give you an example from my country, Greece, which is facing a serious demographic problem. A good, satisfactory salary is 1 200 euros. Renting a small house in a modest area costs 600 euros.…

19

Dec

2024

EL Speech

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Need to update the European strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities (debate)

Madam President, we have been discussing the European Disability Strategy for many years and, although the European Union is committed to promoting their rights, the implementation of these commitments is still lagging behind in many Member States and the rules are not the same across Europe. But let me dwell on an area that I know well, the field of sport. The European Disability Strategy places …

28

Nov

2024

EL Speech

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Strengthening children’s rights in the EU - 35th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (debate)

Madam President, despite the progress we have made, millions of children around the world continue to face great difficulties; From conflict zones to neighbourhoods, from the effects of climate change to systematic discrimination, children continue to suffer. We can't rest on our laurels. The contract is not just a document. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up for and protect children…

14

Nov

2024

EL Speech

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Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, you are therefore telling us that the European Union will have to spend around 20% of its total budget - currently equivalent to EUR 1 trillion - on defence and security. Once again, then, we have European Union funding for military expenditure. On the other hand, in an increasing number of European countries, poverty thresholds and infrastructure projects ar…