Speeches

Madam President, I'm sorry. It's a year of acceleration. We have a plan to build defensive readiness. We have joint flagship projects. We have funding from SAFE to quickly fill gaps where our defence capabilities are insufficient. Poland has set an example and nothing will stop it, because there is no room for smuggling, because there is no room for bullshit and there is no room for false alternatives. Because every day counts for European and Polish security. We are facing another task. The military Schengen is concrete, because the increasingly stronger, better armed army can not have delays in movement. The new law will remove all barriers and obstacles, because time matters for military mobility. But it's also infrastructure: roads, bridges, railways, ports and airports. They must be on full alert at the moment of danger. These are strategic transport corridors. We need to keep these full capacities under the pressure of the crisis. We need to build a logistical flow of European security.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Cooperation between the European Union and Canada is a strategic investment in security. The signing of the Security and Defence Partnership during the Polish Presidency was a first important step to strengthen it. But the next step I want to talk about is the agreement on Canada's participation in the SAFE instrument, it is also an opportunity for our arms industries, which are looking to strengthen their defence priorities, but also partners for joint projects, so as to buy common products. Poland offers such good products in this area. It is also important that the European Union, Canada and Ukraine cooperate, which has achieved perfection in the development of effective and low-cost drone and anti-drone technologies. This is confirmed by Ukraine's efforts to share its knowledge in the fight against Iranian Shahed drones. Commissioner, we support this cooperation very strongly and we keep our fingers crossed for it.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The single market is one of the greatest achievements of European integration, but the truth is that this achievement is still incomplete. What is the most important thing for Poland today and what is the most important thing for Europe? Today, the single market must be a safety shield. It is about a real strengthening of defence and deterrence capabilities, but there is also a need for a comprehensive review by the European Union institutions, but also by national governments, of the understanding of the common defence market and the approach to its formulation. I want to make it very clear that, in the short term, the priority must be to fill the gaps in the military capacity of the Member States as soon as possible. Poland is doing its job here. This work is also the SAFE instrument and the EUR 44 billion we have raised under this programme. We will build the defence market of the European Union, we will build the Polish military potential.

Madam President, the US – we are concerned. Yes, we are concerned in this House of democracy. I would like to start by expressing my and the EPP's solidarity with the victims of the violence and their families. But let me also concentrate in this debate on our common relations. The transatlantic ties have been the backbone of global politics for the past decades, and as such have ensured stability, growth and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. I regret that the EU-US political relations are currently undergoing their most difficult period, and are being tested more severely than at any time since the Second World War. The outcome of this crisis will determine whether what unites us proves to be stronger and more enduring than what is beginning to divide us. In this House, we are trying to map the most constructive scenarios for bilateral relations in an environment where the EU is increasingly confronted with challenges one would not expect from the EU's most trusted and important ally. Currently, the bilateral relations are characterised by a high degree of unpredictability, attempts to undermine the rules-based international order, challenges to sovereignty and territorial integrity, and redefinition of the strategic approach to Russia. We need trust between the partners and this distrust I can observe – also as a standing rapporteur on the US – has influence on the perception of the United States across EU societies. Dear colleagues, it's time to reflect. It's time to be united on this issue.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, this report on EU partnerships provides strategic partnership recommendations, setting a path to enhanced and expanded cooperation between the EU and key bilateral partners, allowing the EU to respond effectively to current and future security threats and to strengthen its role as a global strategic actor. Never in the history of the EU have we faced greater challenges and greater uncertainty in this volatile security environment. We need to reply with strength. We need defence partnerships to build spheres of common interest against spheres of influence and imperial actions. As we face Russian imperialism, the EU has no greater and no more important partner than Ukraine. Ukraine has not only been defending the EU, but has also built an innovative military force in Europe. This report underlines that it is in the EU's fundamental interest to deepen our partnerships with Ukraine, including in the defence industry. Support for Ukraine is the bedrock of EU defence. The report calls for closer EU-NATO cooperation. It remains the cornerstone of European defence. But the EU must take greater responsibility for its own defence. The strategic reorientation of the US means that we need to invest more and close critical capability gaps, deepening cooperation with other NATO countries like Canada and especially our European NATO allies, the UK and Norway. The report also calls for accelerated EU enlargement. There is only one factual amendment I present, concerning India, reflecting the signing of the strategic partnerships on the emergence of the EU-India summit.

Mr President, thank you very much. Cyberbullying is on the rise and we cannot remain indifferent to it. Today we have an action plan against cyberbullying. One in four teenagers experiences cyberbullying. Such situations should not take place either online or offline. The plan we are working on together should be based on three pillars. Firstly, protection, secondly, prevention, thirdly, effectiveness. Protection is better regulation, more responsibility for platforms and a principle safety by design. Prevention means better digital education and real support for schools, teachers and parents. And effectiveness – simple reporting of abuse, fast, accessible forms of assistance, including the European Online Safety Application. Our goal is simple. The Internet should protect children, the Internet should protect young people, not create profits. I want to say very clearly: This is the problem, the problem of algorithms that reward conflict, not dialogue. This is especially dangerous for the younger generation. We must work together, at Community level, but also as Member States, on this problem.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. All decent people have no doubt on which side to stand. Today we stand by Ukraine, we stand by the civilian population, which is deprived of electricity, heat, water. That is why I welcome these initiatives at European level. Of course, this loan support is very much needed in 2026-2027, but I would also like to draw the attention of this House to the initiatives that are taking place in our Member States. First of all, my city of Warsaw. Second, my government and the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves: these are power generators, this is the necessary equipment to allow Kiev to survive this winter, but also fantastic social actions, such as "Warmth from Poland for Kiev", 10 million zlotys collected, but also on the initiative of the Church of Cardinal Ryś. This is a great humanitarian action that continues for Ukraine. I also ask you to support such initiatives in your own countries.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The subject we are discussing is not a theoretical matter for us. For Poland, this is a real issue regarding our preparation. On the night of 9-10 September last year, Poland experienced a massive intrusion of drones into our airspace. I want to make it very clear that unmanned capabilities are used in various tasks and are crucial for our armed forces today. This report rightly highlights the development of unmanned and drone capabilities. And these actions, which we are talking about, obviously require strategic partnerships, both between Member States and key partners. But what the European Union offers are funds, they are also loan funds. That is why we, as Poland, intend to use the full handful of the SAFE instrument and under this instrument we will also have projects on anti-drone systems. So very much for this initiative, Madam President, thank you.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Europe cannot afford weakness, weakness towards our enemies, but also weakness towards our allies. And we must stand firmly on the side of international law, on the side of territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. 2025 has been a very difficult year for human rights in the world, but everything seems to indicate that this year will be the same, just as difficult, and we must stand firm on our values. Authoritarianism is on the rise, and the space for freedom is shrinking dramatically. In Iran, the regime brutally suppresses peaceful protests and threatens protesters with the death penalty. In Venezuela, the Maduro regime has stripped citizens of their right to democratic choice. We must focus not only on business, on oil, but also on the values of free and democratic elections that must take place in this country. There are great challenges on the side of the European Union. We have to meet them. The High Commissioner, the High Representative, as the European Parliament, will support this.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The High Representative! First of all, we are dealing with new facts. The first was the US operation on Nicolas Maduro on January 3. That's good news. On the other hand, what worries us, what we want to talk about in this House, is primarily the US cooperation with the regime and the marginalization of the opposition, which discourages the prospect of restoring democratic order in Venezuela. I want to make it very clear that it is important to emphasise, and we want to emphasise here, that elections were held in 2024. This election was won by Edmundo Gonzalez, who is the only legitimate representative of the authorities who has a democratic mandate.

Mr President, thank you very much. Our common task is to strive for a world where rules apply. The world of fists is the past. A world in which the big ones can illegally seek the territory of smaller countries. I want to say very clearly: The European Union has been, is and will continue to be a partner for the United States. But this partnership must be based on principles, international law and dialogue. I want to say very clearly: The threat of new tariffs on the European Union does not serve transatlantic relations. I also want to make it very clear that diplomacy is needed and peace is needed. I urge you to reduce tensions. At the same time, respecting the demand to increase the security of the Arctic. But it can be done in a non-confrontational way. And the most important thing: The threat is from Russia. We need to help Ukraine. We need to focus on what is really important, existential for Poland, for Europeans.