Speeches

Mr President, thank you very much. Today we are talking about the dramatic situation of Colombia, which has been terrorised by international cartels. A symbolic event in this context is the assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe, who wanted to run for president. His death perfectly illustrates how far the influence of Latin American criminal organizations extends. The activity of cartels is not limited to the Western Hemisphere. It is also increasingly having a negative impact on Europe's security. Today, de los Soles cartels work with countries hostile to the transatlantic community, including China, Russia and Iran. The money raised from the criminal activities of cartels feeds the budgets of our geopolitical opponents, and their activities increasingly threaten the security of our citizens. Just a few days ago, Polish services arrested two members of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel. According to widely accepted calculations, the scale of global cartel profits and turnover is in the order of one and a half trillion to two trillion 200 billion dollars per year. By comparison, it is about 5% of the world's annual GDP. To meet this geopolitical challenge, Europe must work closely with the United States. In this context, the recognition of the de los Soles cartel as a terrorist organisation will be an important step.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The High House! We are witnessing with concern a wave of violence against peaceful demonstrators in Serbia. Since last autumn, the use of force against citizens opposing the government's decision is unacceptable to us. The Balkans is a region where Russia has a strong presence today, but also China. Our support for the pro-European spirit of the societies, not only of Serbia, but also of the whole Balkan Six, is crucial and very important. However, we cannot believe that the European Union is not without fault. The Western Balkans have been on the road to membership for too long, and the lack of a clear time horizon clearly applauds those who want to destabilise the region at the heart of the European continent. We must clearly state our solidarity with the people of Serbia, support their European aspirations and firmly say no to violence against protesters.

Madam President, Commissioner! The High House! I want to refer to a historical issue, which also has to do with cohesion policy. In the 40th year, by Herman Göring's decree, the Union of Poles in Germany was outlawed and nationalized. Dozens of Poles were murdered and their property was plundered by Nazi Germany. And to this day, despite the passage of 80 years, the Germans do not want to return this property. They do not want to rehabilitate the activists of the Union of Poles in Germany. Despite the fact that almost 2 million Poles live in Germany, Germany does not want to recognize that it is a minority, a Polish minority. Therefore, they do not allocate funds for learning Polish, and there is no information in Polish in German offices. Commissioner, I hope that you will turn to the German Chancellor and ask what is happening to the Union of Poles in Germany and why Germany does not want to settle the property stolen during World War II.

Dear Colleague, I am extremely astonished by your speech. You care about several thousand Silesians who do not have access to the Silesian language, and I want to ask you about one million Poles in Germany – more than one million Poles who work hard for your economy there. Do these Poles have the right to learn Polish in German schools? Are there any inscriptions in Polish in German offices? And finally: When will the Germans return the property of the Polish heritage, which was looted in Germany, to the Polish organizations that were robbed by the Goering Decree? Please answer me, my friend from Germany.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Twenty years after the enlargement of the European Union, we still have systemic inequality between the countries of Central Europe – those that joined the European Union – and the countries of the old Union. Farm subsidies and investment subsidies are still higher for farmers of the old EU, lower for farmers in Central Europe, for example in Poland. It is time to end this systemic injustice. The second thing we are deeply opposed to is hitting farmers in central Europe, especially in Poland. The agreement you are currently negotiating, the Mercosur agreement, will lead to a gigantic influx of cheap, uncontrolled food into the European Union, as will the opening of trade with Ukraine, both of which are devastating for farmers in Central Europe. Commissioner, if you lead to the destruction of agriculture in the European Union, it will be your conscious decision. Ursula von der Leyen should therefore be dismissed.

Madam Member of Parliament! I am writing to you as a representative of a country that is pushing through the Mercosur agreement – importing cheap food from four South American countries. You represent a country that is pushing for a free trade agreement with Ukraine. So how do you want to preserve agriculture in Europe if Europe is flooded with cheap products from Ukraine and cheap products from South America? After all, the policy of your country will lead to the destruction of agriculture in the European Union.

Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The High House! We expect the new budget of the European Union after 2027 to be based on the principles of fairness, transparency and equal treatment. Meanwhile, in recent years we have seen a worrying phenomenon of politicisation of funding mechanisms in the European Union. My country, Poland, has not received EU funds for more than two years due to alleged breaches of the rule of law. No one other than Ursula von der Leyen, present here, imposed milestones on the Polish government, which were to be implemented in order to unlock EU funds. And also, Ladies and Gentlemen, after the parliamentary elections won by Donald Tusk, his nominee, Commissioner Serafin, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is present here. The budget received these funds despite not fulfilling any of the conditions fulfilled in the milestones. The rule of law has not been restored, yet the funds have been directed to Poland. Commissioner, are EU funds...

Madam President, I'm sorry. For decades, we have heard that the situation in the Middle East is so complicated and nuanced that it is almost impossible to achieve lasting peace there. The policy of Donald Trump under the sign of peace by force has put the lie to this thesis and brought results at an unprecedented pace. Western leaders need to understand one principle: Middle Eastern countries have different laws and values than Western democracies. For the Ayatollahs in Iran, attempts to make concessions are proof of weakness and indecision, as evidenced by the fatal agreement to control Iran's nuclear weapons development program under President Obama. As a result, if we had another White House host today, as Ursula von der Leyen would have wanted, the prospect of one of the world's worst regimes having the most lethal weapons would have been very real. Fortunately, instead of this black scenario, we have a weakened Iran and the potential to expand the number of members of the Abrahamic Accords. President Trump deserved the Nobel Prize.

Unlike you, I have two adult children who I have tried to raise according to values close to me and my country – Christian, Catholic values. I am saddened to see how difficult it is today to raise children based on Christian values. And I do not agree that LGBT propaganda is forcibly pushed into European schools, into kindergartens and forcibly changes the brains of young children and young Europeans, young Poles. We don't agree to that. Today, Europe is facing a demographic crisis. Focus on family policy, on promoting family and fertility in Europe, rather than promoting LGBT.

Mr President, thank you very much. Let's start with the fact that today's debate should have a different name. It does not concern freedom of assembly, but the freedom to see public exposure and depravity. To highlight this to the honourable Commission, I would like to recall scenes from similar parades that took place a few days ago in Warsaw. I would like to add that the would-be president of Poland Rafał Trzaskowski participated in these parades, who during the presidential election campaign cut himself sharply from LGBT movements, being aware of how unpopular these actions are in our country, Poland. Let's move on to what the LGBT parade in Warsaw looked like a few days ago. The parade was attended by half-naked men who, in the presence of children, performed activities about which decency prohibits talking in this hall. There were also men dressed as caricatured versions of women, so-called drag queens. The greatest furor, however, dear state, was made by Satanists, including a person dressed as a demon, whose horns were replaced by an imitation of the feet of an aborted child. So I ask you, European Commission, are these European values? Do you promote these values in the countries of the European Union? Of course, you try to impose them only outside the pre-election time.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The European Union was built on the ruins of Europe, which was destroyed by German Nazis and Russian communists. Yesterday in Berlin, the German government erected a stone. It is to be a commemoration and reparation that the Germans are implementing towards Poland. Poland, which demands that the German state pay compensation, reparations and reparations for the consequences of World War II. Commissioner, I have already asked you two questions about what you intend to do regarding the opening of court proceedings for the victims of World War II, who in Poland, Greece and other countries do not have access to court. Your censorship and evaluation of your work is whether you can stand up to the Germans and enforce the rule of law against them, so that Germany will account for the effects of World War II on Poland, Greece and other victims. A stone in Berlin is not enough.

Thank you very much, Mr MEP, for reminding the High House of the European Parliament here what standards the European Commission applies to Poland. As we all know, European measures were withheld from the previous government, the conservative government, Prime Minister Morawiecki, due to deficiencies in the rule of law. At that time, the milestones that this government was supposed to implement were set. The funds were blocked. After the change of government and winning elections by the current coalition led by Mr Tusk, the funds were unlocked. What changes have taken place in Poland, Mr MEP, at the time when funds are blocked once and funds are released after the elections?

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The High House! World War II is still an unsettled card in European relations. My country, Poland, suffered unimaginable losses as a result of the German aggression: 6 million murdered Polish citizens. 11 million had to emigrate. Fifty percent of the territory that Poland has lost. 40% of the GDP that has been destroyed. Millions of cripples, millions of orphans, 200,000 Germanized children. Two million Poles were expelled for forced labour. Millions of Poles who died in concentration camps as a result of diseases. The Germans never paid for their war crimes. It is a challenge for the European Union not to turn a blind eye to this issue, because both Poland and Greece are demanding war reparations from Germany. I, Commissioner, will report on the Polish war losses. I expect the European Union to create a mechanism to encourage Germany to talk about paying compensation to Poland and Greece. Do not turn your eyes or head away from it.

I have a question whether you are aware that currently Polish victims of World War II do not have access to court proceedings, do not have the possibility to pursue claims? I know personally such victims injured by your grandparents, great-grandparents. Are you aware that Germany has never concluded any agreement with Poland on the repair of damages and reparation for the victims? Are you aware that the Germans did not pay anything to the Polish victims or to Poland? Aren't you, the Germans, ashamed? Isn't it embarrassing for the European Union to turn its head away from this issue?

I was astonished to hear you say that we should be grateful to the Red Army. My nation, after the end of World War II, fell into the occupation of the Red Army. 200,000 Poles fought in the underground army against the occupation. Dozens of Polish patriots were martyred, murdered in prisons, buried in forests by the Red Army. Do you not know the history of World War II? Aren't you ashamed to say that the Red Army liberated Europe?

Madam Member of Parliament! You are a representative of the nation, the state that caused the Second World War, caused great suffering for my nation, for Poland, but also for other European nations, for Greece. Why does Germany not want to pay war reparations to Poland – compensation for World War II? Your nation, the Nazis, murdered 6 million Poles, destroyed Poland and still do not want to settle with Poland. When will you pay your debt to Poland and Greece?

Madam President, I'm sorry. The High House! Today we are talking about EU support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. But there will be no justice and no peace without responsibility, without punishment for criminals, but also without payment of war reparations for Ukraine. That's why I have a question: Why has the European Union failed to take effective action to use frozen Russian assets to pay compensation to Ukraine? Moreover, there are no reparation mechanisms in the European Union itself to compensate for the damage suffered by the countries of the European Union as a result of World War II. I am the author of a report on the war losses that Germany inflicted on Poland during World War II. These losses were enormous: human losses, material losses. The Germans never settled with Poland. Therefore, we expect that in the European Parliament, in the European Union, a mechanism will be created that will serve the real payment of reparations, but also reconciliation between the peoples of the European Union. The European Union will not set standards for a just peace unless it solves its own problems.

I have a question for my colleague: does he know how many millions of Cubans are currently in exile? How many Cubans have chosen freedom in Europe, in the United States, and why is this happening? Why do Cubans emigrate from Cuba? And secondly, is he aware of these medical brigades that these doctors are being forced to leave and are not being paid for their work, and that the Cuban government is being paid? Do you have any knowledge about it, or do you only draw knowledge from Sputnik?

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in Cuba we are witnessing systematic violations of human rights. Independent journalists, civil society activists and ordinary citizens are being persecuted, imprisoned and intimidated. Sadly, this is only part of a broader problem: we also have the growing reports of Cuban mercenaries supporting Russia's aggressions against Ukraine, a move that is a clear contradiction of the principles on which the European Union is founded. Furthermore, the so-called medical brigades sent abroad by the Cuban regime operate under conditions resembling forced labour, with limited freedoms and most of their income seized by the state, not retained by the doctors themselves. In light of these facts, an urgent review of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement is necessary, with a clear perspective of its termination.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. I speak here today to pay tribute and remembrance to all those who, at the risk of their lives, opposed German Nazism and Soviet crimes. On the European Day of Remembrance for the Righteous, we remember people who, despite the threat of death, chose humanity over fear. Among them were many Poles, my compatriots, who deserve eternal memory. Irena Sendlerowa, who saved 2,500 Jewish children, Captain Witold Pilecki, who voluntarily gave himself to Auschwitz to pass on the memory of war crimes to the world, or Jan Karski, emissary of the underground state. It is thanks to such people that the world has not forgotten. But, Commissioner, memory is not enough. It must go hand in hand with action for justice for victims. To this day, the Polish victims of World War II, the Greek victims of World War II, and the Italian victims of World War II have no way of seeking judicial redress because the German state hides behind immunity from jurisdiction. This is your task, Commissioner, to make Germany truly reconcile and reparate for the war crimes committed during World War II.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ahead of us is a report that, like many similar documents, contains provisions worthy of support, as well as those that need to be corrected and supplemented. As shadow rapporteur, I would like to highlight some important issues that should be taken into account in the further work on this document. I encourage you in particular to support the provisions on the defence of the rights of religious minorities in the world. I will remind you that the most persecuted religious group so far are Christians, and therefore during the vote I will stand in solidarity with their cause, supporting the relevant parts of the report. I also ask for support for amendment 75, which raises worrying reports of cases where funds from international institutions, including the United States Agency for International Development and even the European Union, were intended to support groups engaged in political activism against democratically elected governments, including in my country, Poland. I call on the Union to fully cooperate with Parliament, journalists and the public in order to clarify these situations and to establish transparent rules and effective mechanisms to control the spending of these funds. In accordance with Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union, the Community must base its relations with third countries on democracy, respect for human rights and dignity. Unfortunately, not all partners of the European Union, such as Cuba, fulfil these obligations, despite the fact that they have been benefiting from the preferences resulting from agreements with the European Union for years. The forthcoming public hearing in the DROI subcommittee should be the start of a wider debate and, I hope, a resolution on this issue. I call for a sensible, balanced assessment of the report and support for amendments that strengthen our values and protect the sovereignty and interests of the European Union and its Member States.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. As the author of the report on Poland's war losses during World War II, I know how crucial funds are for rebuilding the country after the war. Poland has never received the Marshall Plan, and Germany still evades paying Poland war reparations. The consequences of the war have been felt for decades, and the same will happen in the case of Ukraine if we do not take real action. Today, history repeats itself. This is the laziness of the EU institutions and governments of some EU countries with the transfer of frozen Russian assets. Belgium alone has 250 billion euros, which, instead of lying on accounts, should go to the reconstruction of Ukraine. We call on the European Commission and the European Council to take appropriate action. War destroys for generations. If we do not act now, we are condemning Ukraine and its people to decades of loss and stagnation. Let us not let the history of World War II again become a lesson that no one has learned.

Mr President, thank you very much. As a man of deep faith, a Christian, I know that religion should lead to love, truth and justice. Unfortunately, what is happening in Nigeria today is not justice, it is not truth, it is not love. Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death only for a song, only for expressing thoughts. This is not a defense of faith. Let us respect everyone's right to worship God, but let us not be afraid to tell the truth. Islamic fundamentalism and Sharia law, which imprisons and kills people for alleged blasphemy, are inhumane and have no place in the civilized world. Therefore, from this place, the European Parliament, we call on the Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and end the human rights violations.

Mr President, thank you very much. The High Parliament! Turkey is a key partner of the European Union, but we do not close our eyes to the repression of the opposition: arrests of mayors and elimination of political opponents under the pretext of security. This is disturbing. But before we point our finger at Ankara, let's look at our own backyard. In the European Union itself, and especially in Poland, the immunities of parliamentarians are currently being violated. Methods of fighting democracy, political repression against the opposition are used. Funding for the opposition is being withdrawn during the ongoing presidential campaign. Exploitation arrests are being made against the opposition. Tusk's government is instrumental in using the state apparatus and the prosecutor's office against the opposition. The opposition is eliminated as an internal enemy. And all this with the eloquent silence of the European Union. Why has there been no debate here for a year about the state of democracy in Poland and the attack on the opposition in Poland? Human rights and democracy cannot be selective. Let's start by defending them within the European Union and only then instruct others.

Mr President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, Today, after three years of Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine, we must make it clear that our solidarity must not weaken. History teaches us that the independence, sovereignty, and freedom of nations are values that cannot be surrendered in the name of false peace. The country I represent is Poland, which knows perfectly well what war is and what its long-term effects are. After World War II, Poland suffered for decades the consequences of German war crimes, which to this day have not been accounted for. Ukrainians, like us, will struggle for years with poverty, with trauma, with losses, with disability. We can't let them be alone. Because who, if not us, understands better what it is to be abandoned by the West. Today marks 80 years since the end of the Yalta Conference, which put Central Europe under Soviet occupation. Lack of action and solidarity will embolden Putin and increase his appetite and aspirations. This is a direct path to catastrophic consequences for Europe and its future.