Speeches

Colleagues, I was a little less strict on speaking time in the first round, when they represented the groups. Now I have to be a little stricter, so please try to stick to the speaking time.

As I told you, we are checking into it. Please proceed with your speech because we will not wait until the system has checked it. So please speak. We will come back to it.

(Interjections from the floor) We will check it. Please, colleagues. We will check what was said. (Interjections from the floor) Please be quiet. We will check what has been said. Let the next speaker speak.

The next item is the topical debate on 'Stopping the genocide in Gaza: time for EU sanctions'. I would like to inform Members that for this debate there is no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted.

The next item is the debate on the report by Marjan Šarec, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro (2025/2020(INI)) (A10-0093/2025).

I know that there is a blue card, but I am sorry – we are a little bit under pressure, and since you (addressing Arkadiusz Mularczyk) have already spoken, I will continue with the list of speakers.

Mr Jaki, I also have to remind you that it's not allowed to display photos when you're speaking from the rostrum. It's not allowed, so thank you.

The next item is the debate on Council and Commission statements on 'The Hungarian Government's drift to Russia‑style repression: legislative threats to freedom of expression and democratic participation' (2025/2731(RSP)).

Thank you very much to you, Minister Szłapka, and to all of you in this debate. It has been a very important debate for all of us. The debate is now closed.

Mr Kelly, I think we have been fair. You were the third person who wanted to have the speaking time on behalf of the EPP, and I have distributed the time throughout. I have not taken people who had a blue card. So I think that I really tried to do it in a fair manner, and I do apologise to all of you who have not had a chance to speak. I know this is a very important topic for all of us. Now I will give the floor directly to the Commission and Commissioner Micallef to wrap up the discussion, please.

The next item is the debate on Parliament's statements on '80 years after the end of World War II – freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe' (2025/2694(RSP)).

The ESN Group has notified the President of a decision relating to changes to appointments within committees. This decision will be set out in the minutes of today's sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

The next item is the debate on Council and Commission statements on high levels of retail food prices and their consequences for European consumers (2025/2687(RSP)).

Mr President! Europe can no longer stand on the sidelines when it comes to the global tech race. While the US and China are investing massively in innovation, we are lagging behind, not because we lack talent, but because we are not getting enough support. Too many good European ideas die before they reach the market, or then they move out of Europe to survive because they can't scale up here. We need to change that. We need to invest massively and strategically. We must invest in technology, in digital infrastructure, in everything that can make Europe strong, independent and competitive. And then we need to provide companies with a clear and stable framework. It is about global competitiveness. It is about our security, including in Europe. So, we have to be ready for this. Even in the field of technology, Europe must not be dependent on foreign states. We can't follow. We're actually going to take the lead. Let's get started. It's urgent.

Madam President! The future of Greenland is decided in Nuuk and nowhere else. The people of Greenland have the right to choose their way, and we European Social Democrats fully support that right. We will also strengthen cooperation between the EU and Greenland. We have a solid foundation to do it on: duty-free access to the single market, joint programmes for research, education and investment and a new EU office in Nuuk. But we must build on that foundation, with respect and with partnership. With an eye to the concrete needs and opportunities that are emerging also as climate change changes the conditions in the Arctic. We must not forget that it is the Greenlandic people who are in the midst of these changes and with an economy that needs more investment and more opportunities. And here the EU can play a positive role through trade, through education, through investment. Let us strengthen cooperation and show that the rules-based international order also applies in the far north.