Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, just last night, I returned from Kyiv, where I witnessed first-hand the looming threat that Russia poses to all of Europe. And believe me, we cannot afford to ignore the growing risks of further aggression further. It is crucial that we make security a top priority in our 2026 budget guidelines and negotiate it resolutely with Member States. I want to thank the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs for placing defence at the forefront of next year's budget, because the war on our doorstep is real. And the only way to safeguard Europe's future is through collective defence and unwavering support for Ukraine. Strengthening our military capabilities, investing in defence technologies and showing solidarity with Ukraine are all essential. Their fight is our fight. And by securing Ukraine, we protect the entire European Union. Now, more than ever, we must ensure our resources are focused on defending peace and strengthening Europe.

on behalf of the PPE-DE Group. - (DE) Mr President, colleagues, let us acknowledge this and say it out loud. We have a war in Europe that we have not experienced since the 1940s, and under the pressure of a new geopolitical situation, there is a real risk that it will end in the loss of Ukraine. But the war can also move deeper into Europe, and that's exactly what Putin is doing. Defeat Ukraine, gain time to rearm and destabilise us with disinformation in the meantime. Whom do we sacrifice? Baltics, Poland, my Slovakia? We are not decades old, we may have months to create a common defence that will deter Russia, but that is precisely what deterrence is about. About assertiveness and our unity. This is what the White Paper should be about. Yes, it will cost us something, but it will certainly be the price of prevention and sustainable peace lower than the price of war. And so that the increased costs do not fall on those closest to us, we have the tools to do so in the European Union and in the Member States. So yesterday was too late. We have to insure ourselves, and investing in common security is our insurance. Europe must defend itself.

Madam President, dear colleagues, during this discussion, we need to acknowledge that gender equality is not just a matter of justice, but also of security. I think we hear it over here. Women need to be secure from physical and sexual violence, and they also need to be present when looking for safe solutions. Thanks to this roadmap, we now have a path forward, and I am honoured to shadow its implementing strategy, but what should we do? First, we need to combat violence, including integrating consent-based rape laws. Second, we must ensure equality in all areas of life and work, and this means gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting. It is not an ideology. Commissioner Lahbib is not here with us, but I want Commissioner Mînzatu to tell her that we really rely on her, because promoting equality is the key to a future where women – but eventually all of us – can live free from fear and discrimination. And the EU needs to lead this gender equality fight that we have worldwide, especially in those insecure times when geo-policy is changing.

Madam President, I stand here today with a vision of a Europe that is fair, kind and faithful to its common values, Mr President. A Europe built on tolerance, where the relationship of two adults is decided by their feelings, their mutual feelings, and not by the permission of politicians, where every child, regardless of the orientation or gender of their parents, has the right to stability, safety and family. I believe in a European Union that unites, not divides. One that does not allow crossing the border to mean the loss of a parent. The European Court of Justice, too, we have heard about this, says that if a legal relationship is recognised in one country, another must respect it. Because of the principle of justice and protection of the most vulnerable, that is the reason. And yet, for example, in Slovakia, we see the opposite. Populist governments make proposals that do not extend the rights of families, but limit them, hurt them. But we have more. Let us choose a path that is a path of respect. And let's try to say a clear yes to justice at this time. Let us stand for a Europe where every child, every family and every person has a safe place.

Mr President, unequal pay, attacks on sexual and reproductive rights, hate speech and violence. This is the real reality and position of women in the world, not what is mentioned here today, unfortunately. We are still fighting the same battles as we did thirty years ago when the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted. It was a huge leap for us back then, and today we are not only standing in the same place, but also going back in places. Gender equality is not a luxury in good times, it is even more urgent during the crisis. More than 600 million women and girls around the world are affected by war, a 50 percent increase from the last 10 years. Let's face it: when women are not involved in decision-making or peace negotiations, the results are neither democratic nor inclusive, let alone sustainable. So there are riots and a number of wars. And that's not an opinion, but that's a fact, and we have data for that. Let's not wait another 30 years. Women need more power. Now the security of the whole world depends on it.

Mr President, Madam Vice-President, dear colleagues, the fall of Assad's regime not only shows that the oppressed do not give in to the lack of freedom – in Syria, in Ukraine, anywhere. It has also delivered a significant blow to Russia and Iran and, within two weeks, reshaped the dynamics in the region. However, this is no guarantee of stability. As we know, the direction of HTS remains uncertain and the EU needs to stay vigilant. Madam Kallas certainly knows. It must lead with principles, values, but also pragmatism – including insisting on closing Russian bases. The EU should explore diplomatic channels, but must urge the new leadership to prioritise security, the base of all negotiations, and then build upon it – upholding the minority rights, gender equality and freedom of belief. Because this is more than geopolitics. Syrians deserve freedom. They deserve stability and a chance to rebuild their own country without fear and oppression. A stable and free Syria is the goal for Europe as well.

Madam President, dear colleagues, who among us would willingly accept being paid less than another colleague for doing the same work? Of course, no one. Yet, it is an acceptable notion in Europe. For women across the EU, this is everyday reality. They are paid 13 % less than men, on average, for work of the same value. And even though we are hearing that it is a made‑up problem, the numbers speak for themselves. This difference persists even after accounting for feminisation of some sectors or for working hours. There is only one explanation: the 13 % is the value of discrimination. We try to address it through legislation. The Pay Transparency Directive is the right way to go – we need to implement it. But real change will require action from every single one of us. Let's question disparities. Let's demand fairness. And to my fellow women, insist on what is rightfully yours, because equality is a fundamental right and it applies to your paycheque as well.

Mr President, dear colleagues, nothing can justify the brutal Hamas attack on 7 October or the suffering of Israelis still held hostage. While recognising Israel's right to self-defence, it is impossible to justify its response, resulting in over 40 000 civilian deaths in Gaza. And I want to address this humanitarian catastrophe happening in front of our eyes: this winter, millions of Palestinians face hunger and diseases, lacking homes, food and medical supplies. The role of UNRWA is vital. It is providing essentials like food, water, healthcare and education, and there is no replacement in the region. Israel's bills labelling this UN agency as terrorist organisation take effect in two months. Yet, as I said, there is absolutely no viable alternative in the region that can replace this agency's crucial aid. Let me be clear: Israel has no plan B for war refugees, and if we all fail to act, history will judge us.

Mr President, bruises hidden under clothing, forced 'yes' after a decisive 'no', unwanted touches, unsolicited messages, psychological violence. For millions of women and girls, this is a daily reality. And for more than 85,000, last year was the last chapter of their lives. Nevertheless, some countries, including my own – Slovakia – still do not address gender-based violence as urgently as this problem and the gravity of the situation require. Violence is even normalized in the vocabulary and actions of politicians and public figures, so much so that even those who should protect us send a mentally abused woman home to the abuser, with the proviso that unless she has a knife in her stomach or at least a bruise, nothing can be done about it. I heard several variations of this story last week when visiting centres for abused women in eastern Slovakia. We have learned to heal wounds in body and soul, but we still cannot effectively prevent the violence that causes them. At the same time, life without violence and fear must be a European and Slovak standard. Violence in all its forms is neither acceptable nor justifiable. This has never been and will never be the case, and we must not tolerate it.

Thank you for this question and I will speak for myself in this case. I don't think that fundamental rights should be put into referendum. I don't think that women or men should be deciding on what's happening in such a way. And definitely I know that in Poland, at least 50% of inhabitants are women, so I'm sure that another half cannot be deciding on them. So, personally speaking, I don't think the referendum is a good idea.

Madam President, women's rights are human rights, so why in Europe in the twenty-first century do we still treat women as if they were not. Due to the draconian abortion law in Poland, at least seven women have died, we have heard those names. Didn't the creators of life, the creators of these laws, want to protect lives? In last year's parliamentary elections, Poland showed where these discriminatory laws belong, but unfortunately, even a year after they contributed to the change of government, the guarantees of their rights have still not been forthcoming. Because yes, the decision about one's own body must be and is a fundamental human right, and this is what this House is saying. Legal abortions are also not sufficiently available in other regions in the Member States, including mine, but we should really stop in 2024. It is high time to stop seeing women as tools for giving birth to children and not letting them make their own decisions about their own bodies. This message has already been made clear by the Polish people, and it is the message of all Europeans. It's time to respond to him.

Mr President, colleagues, after the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the European budget has to deal with unexpected expenditure. But do we really want to save at the expense of education, innovation and the future of young people? I see a lot of them sitting here today, welcome, but minus 300 million euros for Erasmus next year is really a scandal. I am a graduate myself, like millions of others, and, like I once was, many young people would not be able to study in Europe without a scholarship. And do Member States want to restrict precisely those who have the potential to grow? We have become true Europeans thanks to this programme. This is how we build a common European Union, this is how we get to know each other, this is how we learn and this is how we bring home real experiences. Let us not allow young people to suffer in any way because of our poor creativity in financing important areas in the European Union. Investing in them is an investment in our future.

Mr President, what Putin destroyed for the Ukrainians, we now have the opportunity to recover from Russian money, and that is the right thing to do. The Kremlin has been bombing Ukrainian civilians, hospitals and schools for nearly 1,000 days. It's time for him to pay for it, literally - through the proceeds from frozen Russian assets. Although we in the European Union are helping Ukraine, we are still not consistent. We allowed Russian oligarchs to enjoy yachts, we gave them diplomas from elite schools, we sold them luxury properties, handbags, but worse, we turn a blind eye when European companies bypass sanctions or when they buy gas from third countries that have it for cheap money from the Kremlin. The war in Ukraine continues. We are far from having the right to be tired of the war in Ukraine. Look at the Ukrainians. They fight for us and they fight for us. Our integrity will help them win.

Madam President, the case of Bülent Mumay of Deutsche Welle exemplifies the systemic repression of independent journalism. As noted in this joint motion, his case is baseless and serving only one purpose: to intimidate him and other journalists who dare to investigate. After transformations in Turkish civil society and media of the recent years, voices of constructive criticism like Mumay's are rare and really require immense courage, and we need to recognise them. But this Parliament must also condemn actions like legal intimidation, censorship and financial pressure, which are used to silence the press. Because even in our own Member States our 'wannabe autocrats' are getting inspired by them. And as a former journalist, I take cases like Mumay's very personally. We need to make sure that press freedom and freedom of expression are protected in the EU, in Türkiye and beyond. (The speaker concluded in Turkish)

Mr President, A year ago in Slovakia, a mother of two was brutally murdered with a machete by a man who had followed her for two years. Despite filing a criminal complaint, she received no help. Sadly, such cases happen all across Europe. We politicians have a responsibility to act. Back in our capitals, we need to ensure that governments implement the Directive on combating violence against women, push for a common definition of rape, and include gender-based violence among 'Euro crimes'. As a rapporteur for the Victims' Rights Directive, I'll work tirelessly to ensure that victims get compensation, legal support and psychological help. Most victims of gender-based violence are women, as we've heard and we know, and 1 in 3 have their own experience. While men are often the perpetrators. I am convinced that the majority of men want to protect women's rights and their safety. And without you, fathers, brothers, partners – all our male allies – finding solutions will not be possible.

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. - (DE) Mr President, Commissioner, the Presidency. What Viktor Orbán is doing to the European Union is nothing but provocation. Journeys to Moscow, to China, meetings with Trump, blocking aid to Ukraine, and the example of the Hungarian national card, that is, simplifying the issuance of Schengen visas for Russians and Belarusians, is nothing else. If dictators like Putin had a Trojan horse in the European Union other than Prime Minister Orban, he would not have behaved. Let us not be fooled, my friends. If we think that this Hungarian system will not be used by Russia and its secret services, we are probably naive. Several of our member countries have experience with these Kremlin operations. My country, Slovakia, also has experience with them. That is why, of course, we have to ask whether our pan-European security is not threatened by a national card, because that is what this is all about. By doing so, Hungary is undermining Schengen and threatening its own membership. And I am really sorry that if this situation escalates, it will endanger ordinary Hungarians, Hungarians, but also other ordinary people who live in border areas, for example in Slovakia. People will take it back. But citizens need to know that this is far from being Brussels' fault. And that it will actually be the fault of Viktor Orbán, or other politicians who want to look awfully similar to his kind of politics. But let us not take populists and opportunists seriously. Ladies and gentlemen, they have always liked Europe's attention, of course, and that is good for the ego. But the fact is that they are sitting in a corner in the Council, they are sitting in a corner here in the European Parliament, and they will also be in the European Commission.

Madam President, Commissioner. Europe is facing an existential crisis! If we do not act quickly, our defence capacities may collapse and leave Europe at the mercy of geopolitical players. They will conquer us through our weaknesses – the undervalued interlinking of our defence capabilities over the years, as well as through the constant build-up of dependence on suppliers from outside the European Union. A fragmented defence market can really cost us our security. That's what Dragi's report says. And it reminds us that competitiveness is more than just economic growth, higher GDP or a better quality of life. Russia's war in Ukraine has shown that we no longer have time for alibism. These, but previously Lett's proposals, confirm that the problem is not technology, that we do not know what is wrong or how to do it. Traditionally, there is a lack of political courage. Now is the moment to be bold and push for the creation of a strong defence, industrial and technological base for the European Union and to invest in our secure future.

Madam President, Commissioner. At the moment, we need to strengthen our support for Ukraine. Both financially and militarily. If we prevent Ukraine from using weapons and ammunition, we increase the risk of further attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Ukraine is fighting our common enemy. And that is Vladimir Putin and his regime. To be clear. Nevertheless, its support is declining in some states, including mine, Slovakia. This is because Russia, too, is still conducting a wide variety of influence and hybrid operations in our country, which the European Commission needs to communicate even more intensively and strategically. But the reason is also that some politicians do not hide their sympathy for Russia. We heard it today. They are even sympathetic to Putin. But tens of thousands of Slovaks, for example, did not want to accept that their government refused to help a war-torn neighbor. And within a few days, they raised more than four million euros in ammunition for Ukraine. Let's follow this example. It is an example of solidarity and determination. And that's the biggest weapon. Ours. This is not the time for politics, ladies and gentlemen. It's time to act.