Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, Europe's security depends on us being able to help Ukraine preserve its freedom and sovereignty. Soon there will be three years of fierce war, and it seems that Putin is not going to retreat. That is why we must show solidarity with Ukraine and its people. My country, Lithuania, knows better than anyone the price of freedom and the real face of Putin's Russia. From the very beginning, we have been united and united in our support for Ukraine and its people, because it is only by acting together that we are strong. That is why we must continue to stand united across the European Union in providing support to Ukraine. Dear colleagues, Lithuania and the other Baltic countries – Latvia and Estonia – know how fragile freedom is and how high its price is. That is why it is the duty of all of us to come together and help Ukraine achieve victory, because a free Ukraine is also a secure Europe.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, colleagues. Too many people continue to experience different types of violence and harassment at work, and victims of violence often remain unheard of. Women are disproportionately affected by violence at work. Even one in three women in the EU has experienced some form of violence. The highest risk of violence is in the services sector, the healthcare sector, where the vast majority of workers are women. Member States have different approaches to the problem of violence in the world of work, which in some cases remains taboo. We must therefore make every effort to make legal mechanisms binding in all the countries of the European Union, to regulate the problem of violence at work and to establish liability and a compensation mechanism for victims of violence at work. This ILO Convention is therefore a very good basis for recognising the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment and for ensuring that Member States adopt the necessary legislation to achieve the objectives of the Convention.

President, Putin's regime continues to brutally destroy civil society in its country. The assassination of Alexei Navalny at the Munich Security Conference is Putin’s brazen challenge to the West and a full demonstration of impunity. The Kremlin's regime is at war with two wars: one in Ukraine to destroy the right of Ukrainians to freedom and the right to choose the future of their country, and another war against the Russian people themselves, against civil society and the opposition to silence anyone who does not obey the dictatorship of the Putin regime. It is clear that political tensions are growing and becoming more complex, so it is not enough to keep up the fierce rhetoric towards Russia, but it is necessary to take real action, in particular by actively supporting Ukraine and extending sanctions, especially to those who contributed to Navalny's death, and by preventing the circumvention of sanctions. We will only be able to resist the Kremlin regime if we stand united and in solidarity with Ukraine and support its people in their fight for their country.

Thank you for your question. First of all, I would like to say that I am not really familiar with the education system in Poland in particular. However, I can answer that a common education area in the European Union is needed, above all, to eliminate poor quality education in all the countries of the European Union, to have sufficient funding for teachers, to have enough respect for the teaching profession, to really take sufficient account of what the common European Union needs in view of its future. Therefore, it is only by taking a common example from one country or another, assessing the current situation in each country, that we can have quality education throughout the European Union.

President, Commissioner. Quality education provided by qualified teachers is inseparable from a socially and economically strong European Union and its future. Unfortunately, however, teacher shortages remain high in almost all Member States, including my own, Lithuania, and this is a long-term problem that will only increase in the future due to insufficient strategic action. We very much lack strategies for the renewal of teachers, measures to increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession. Teachers' salaries are in fact far too low, and there are virtually no financial or other incentives to make it more attractive for young teachers to work in the regions. Fewer and fewer young people are choosing the teaching profession. There is a lack of systematic development of teachers' competences, especially in the framework of continuous professional development. Dear colleagues, the Single European Education Area must ensure quality education for all, which is why we need a common strategy for the European Union. (The speaker agreed to answer the blue card question)

President, honourable Commissioner, colleagues, the Year of Skills is designed to highlight the mismatch between labour and demand in the European Union and to find solutions. The issue of skills remains highly relevant and needs to be addressed, as it determines the competitiveness of our European Union as a whole and, at the same time, the social well-being of our people. There is a clear shortage of skilled workers, especially in the regions. At the same time, we have high unemployment rates among young people not in employment, education or training across the European Union. We have not used the opportunities for women, people with disabilities to participate in the labour market, so we need to ensure that our people can acquire skills that meet the needs of the market. But remuneration for work must also be attractive and decent, and working conditions must be decent so that everyone feels dignified, can live and support their family.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, in the European Union, a large proportion of people are on the verge of poverty, not least because of the surge in inflation in recent years and the dramatic increase in the prices of energy and essential consumer goods and services. Families with children, single people, most of whom are women, as well as our pensioners, are often unable to meet even the most basic needs and face extreme energy poverty. Affordable utilities, affordable food for low-income people and a ban on disconnection of utilities must therefore be ensured. Each Member State must develop and maintain measures to combat energy poverty, with particular reference to poverty among women and children, and a directive on a minimum income and the effective implementation of the child guarantee are needed at European Union level, with a separate budget and the necessary funding.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues. The sharp surge in inflation, housing, food and energy prices led to a cost-of-living crisis and reduced real incomes. And it affects not only low-income, but also middle-income people the most. And today, for most of such people, housing has become a great luxury. Over the last decade, rental prices in some Member States, including my home country Lithuania, have increased by more than 100%, elsewhere and even more. The price of the property is more than 50%. Housing has practically become unaffordable even for middle-income earners, and housing rental prices are rising uncontrollably. Interest rates on housing loans have doubled, and in some places even tripled. More and more people need social housing. Dear colleagues, the right to decent and affordable housing is the right of everyone. It is not normal for average housing costs to account for about 40% of total consumption expenditure. It is therefore time to take action at EU level and start thinking about a European instrument for access to housing.

Thank you, President, Minister, Commissioner. Declaring this year as a year of skills offers many opportunities to focus and focus on the European labour market and its challenges and find the right solutions, helping our people to successfully adapt to changes in the labour market and making businesses more competitive and innovative. Europe's competitiveness depends directly on the success of businesses and, in particular, on the skills and qualifications of the workers they employ. However, Europe's increasingly deteriorating demographic situation is affecting the labour market. We have a shortage of employees in the areas of health care, maintenance and construction services. There is a shortage of both high- and lower-skilled workers, and even a quarter of small and medium-sized enterprises in the European Union face a shortage of workers. Therefore, we must invest in the acquisition of new skills, in their matching with the needs of the labour market, and pay particular attention to education, training programmes, so that young people can acquire those specialties that are in demand and needed. Adult learning should not be overlooked. Thank you.

President, Mr Vice-President, colleagues. Today, more than enough evidence has been gathered about the abduction of Ukrainian children and their forced deportation to Russia. Russia is committing genocide against the Ukrainian people, using helpless children. This is a horrible cruelty. This is not justified by any argument, since it is particularly serious war crimes and crimes against humanity, which must be punished in the strongest terms. The ICC arrest warrant must be implemented. It is hard to understand that Russia, which commits such serious crimes, is a permanent member of the Security Council. I therefore call on the leaders of the European Union to mobilise political support for the exclusion of Russia from all international organisations, for the establishment of a special tribunal for the crimes of war aggression perpetrated by Russia as soon as possible, and for all those involved in crimes against Ukrainian children and the Ukrainian people to be tried there.

. – Dear President of Lithuania, Madam President, dear colleagues, European citizens watching our debate, Lithuania, like other countries of the same fate, which were destined to experience the oppression and aggression of Soviet totalitarian Russia better than anyone knows the price of freedom won by blood. Today in this place is Ukraine, which heroically fights for its own and our freedom. It's with the same aggressor who just changed the name. Therefore, it is not surprising that, since the first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and until now, the voice of Lithuania and the other Baltic states has been the most famous, calling not only for urgent and comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, but also for a common and united response of the European Union to stop the Russian aggression. Here and now. Let me remind you that for many years Lithuania and other Baltic countries have been constantly talking and warning about the true face of Russia and the goals of its authoritarian Putin regime. Unfortunately, not all members of the European community wanted to hear these warnings. However, these warnings have turned into a bloody reality for the Ukrainian people. Today, everyone acknowledged that talking about the bloody goals of the Kremlin regime in Lithuania and the Baltic states was not just a blurring of historical grievances. We did this because we knew the fragility of freedom and its immense cost, and we wanted to ensure that it did not happen again in Europe and that no nation was subjected to brutal oppression and an attack on territorial integrity and freedom. Never. I fully agree with our President. Historical memory should not lie in the archives. History cannot be forgotten, and the war initiated by Putin testifies to this once again. I therefore call for accountability, unity and courage, and for the establishment of a tribunal for the war crimes committed by Russia, for all possible actions and sanctions to be taken to weaken the power of the Kremlin regime and to help Ukraine win this brutal war, which is also a guarantee of Europe's long-term security. We need to be united in restoring and expanding our defence capabilities - our security as Europeans will depend on how we work together, collectively and collectively to achieve this. Dear colleagues, a strong and resilient Europe can only be achieved if it is united, socially responsible, fair and progressive. Our aim, as Socialists and Democrats, is to strengthen the social foundations of Europe and to ensure that the objectives adopted at the Porto Summit are fully implemented in all Member States. Social Europe must ensure that even people on minimum incomes can make a dignified living and support their families, and not end up in poverty, that there are no poor children, which we still have today over 18 million in Europe, that men and women receive equal pay for the same work, that our pensioners have a dignified old age, and that the rights and freedoms of all people are protected. Only a socially strong, resilient and responsible Europe will be able to cope with challenges such as the green transition, digitalisation, which will inevitably affect the European socio-economic model and the labour market. But our people must be at the forefront of all reforms. So, bravely and united for Europe!

President-in-Office, colleagues, there will soon be a year when Ukraine and its people are fighting for the freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country. Russia's unjustified military aggression has irreversibly altered the geopolitical situation of Europe as a whole. And the whole world saw the true face of the Russian and Kremlin regimes. Therefore, now is the time to come together and make decisive political, economic and financial decisions in principle to help Ukraine fight and defeat the Russian aggression. Let us not forget that Ukraine's victory over Russia is a guarantee of security, freedom and democracy for all of us. Therefore, an agreement must be found on the establishment of an international tribunal for war crimes perpetrated by Russia, compensation for war victims and a Ukraine Reconstruction Fund, and, of course, on the provision of uninterrupted, particularly military and all kinds of other assistance to Ukraine and a firm commitment to support Ukraine's membership of the European Union.

Thank you, Mr President, Commissioner. Inhumane increases in food and energy prices are simply pushing low- and middle-income people into poverty and social exclusion. However, the necessary decisions are long overdue. I do not understand why some Member States still do not apply a reduced VAT rate even to essential foodstuffs, while the greed of business shareholders is not justified. Finally, it is incomprehensible that compensation mechanisms apply equally to low- and middle-income earners and even to high-income earners. We must ensure that this heavy burden of price inflation is not placed on our most vulnerable and lowest-income people. It is a pity that, even at European Union level, there is no solidarity or political will to agree on solutions in the field of energy. Yesterday we saw a fiasco among energy ministers to agree on a price cap for gas.

Mr President, Commissioner, child poverty in the European Union, one of the richest regions in the world, is unacceptable and is still growing. The Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, has shown that the systems for eradicating child poverty are not as strong as we thought they would work. As a result, it is regrettable and responsible that as many as 18 million children are living in poverty. And the child guarantee is important not only to lift children out of poverty, but also to prevent them from falling into that poverty. Therefore, a separate budget for the implementation of the Child Guarantee is necessary. Not all Member States take the implementation of the Child Guarantee seriously. And as many as nine Member States have not yet developed national implementation plans. And this only proves the importance of a common European response to child poverty. There is indeed a need for a separate budget, but there is no less need for a common political will.

Thank you, President, Commissioner, colleagues. The war in Ukraine has become a painful reality. Ukraine and its people are fighting for freedom, for the right to have their own country, to live peacefully in it and to build their future. Ukraine is fighting for our European values, for democracy, for the European way of life, for human rights and freedoms, so it is also our European war, not only for people's lives, but also for cultural heritage. Identity is the victims and hostages of war. The deliberate destruction of culture is part of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Europe has understood this since the first day of the war. We stand together and help Ukraine to the best of our ability. Cultural solidarity with Ukraine is essential. Russia is not only seeking to destroy Ukraine with military action, but is conducting disinformation campaigns on various scales, trying to create a feeling of fear and distrust for the Ukrainian people. Therefore, it is more important than ever to ensure strong support for Ukraine’s cultural, creative academic sector, which is that vital link in countering and countering Russian propaganda and disinformation. Indeed, since the beginning of the war, Europe has urgently mobilised financial means to help people in the cultural and artistic fields fleeing the war. Ukrainian artists and cultural workers will play a vital role in the reconstruction of Ukraine and the mobilisation of society. Today in Ukraine we see Russian forces destroying cultural heritage, looting of cultural objects. We must do our utmost to stop this and preserve Ukraine's cultural heritage. The European Commission has already put forward a proposal for a Ukraine Reconstruction Facility. And I very much hope that the restoration and preservation of Ukraine's cultural heritage will be an integral part of this plan.

Mr President, the war in Ukraine and the economic and social consequences of this war for Europe and our people remain high on the political agenda of the European Union and will continue for a long time to come. We must support Ukraine and give it every assistance in its defence against the Russian aggression. In the same spirit of solidarity, we must take urgent decisions to stop the widening of social inequalities in Europe. We cannot allow our people to choose between heating and food. Colleagues, the exceptional situation requires exceptional and urgent solutions. Agreement must be found on gas price caps, taxation and redistribution of excess profits of unjustifiably large energy companies, joint gas purchases in the EU to help and protect the most vulnerable people and businesses. We must finally protect our food production businesses and ensure food security. It is our duty to help people, small and medium-sized businesses to survive this difficult period, and I very much hope that a common agreement will be found on the EU solidarity package.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, rapporteurs, first of all, I would like to thank you for the political will you have found to agree on the minimum wage directive, especially at this difficult time. It is, admittedly, abnormal that people in Europe who receive the minimum wage do not survive, cannot meet their basic needs and end up in poverty. Current inflation, energy and food prices will further impoverish minimum wage earners. The swift implementation of this directive, involving the social partners, must therefore be a priority for the Member States, and we would ask the Commission to closely monitor this process. This directive will ensure that the level of minimum income corresponds to purchasing power, a real standard of living, and that it is reviewed in a timely and regular manner. The minimum wage must ensure that the people receiving it can make a living and support their families. Only then will Europe be socially strong, sustainable and more resilient, especially in times of crisis.