Speeches

Commissioner, humanity knows no borders. This is a key testimony from the Slovak-Ukrainian border, the eastern border of the European Union, behind which Putin's bloody war rages. I would also like to thank all those who are actively helping at the border crossing points. For their great humanity and professional commitment. Often and many do so at the expense of their own health, sleep, or comfort, realizing that this is only a small fraction of what Ukrainians are experiencing. Today, Slovakia, but also the neighbouring countries, show the best face of Europe, so it is important not to leave them alone. I therefore also appeal to you, Commissioner, to all of us, that we really need to activate all the resources, all the tools, to help the border states and the people fleeing the war. And that help will be needed not only today, not only tomorrow, but also for months and maybe years ahead. Colleagues, Vladimir Putin is counting on the refugee crisis to disintegrate us as the European Union from within, and we must show that he was wrong about this too.

The next item is the debate on the report by Ms Yenbou, on behalf of the Committee on Culture and Education, on the role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism (2021/2057(INI)) (A9-0027/2022).

The next item is the report by Anna Donáth, on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, on the proposal ‘Shrinking space for civil society in Europe’ (2021/2103(INI)) (A9-0032/2022).

This concludes the debate on this point. The vote on the amendments will take place tomorrow. The final vote will take place on Wednesday. Written declarations (Rule 171)

We continue the debate on EU priorities for the 66th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women Council and Commission statements (2022/2536(RSP))

Voting will be open from 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. This shall be done using the same voting method as in previous votes. All votes will be by name. I hereby declare the second vote open. As I said, you can vote until 21:15. The results of this second vote will be announced tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.

I’m terribly sorry but, first of all, the banners are against the Rules of Procedure, and secondly, I would kindly ask everyone to refrain from using offensive language. It really is against the Rules of Procedure.

Madam President, it is now 14 months following the entry into force of the Conditionality Regulation. Indeed, the Commission has inexplicably suspended the mechanism for over a year, against the EU Treaty which clearly says that challenging EU legislation does not have a suspensive effect. However, today Mr Orbán’s and Mr Morawiecki’s play for time comes to an end. Today’s ruling confirms what we have already known for a long time: that there is no legal basis for Poland and Hungary’s claim. Nor is there a basis for the EU to continue to finance oligarchic structures or leaders who undermine the rule of law and European democracy. Mr Commissioner, if the European Commission takes the authority of the ECJ seriously, if it takes the EU’s legal order and democracy seriously, then I absolutely see no reason for any further delays in triggering the conditionality mechanism.

Mr President, this year, the European Year of Youth, is an opportunity to put young people back at the heart of our concerns after the pandemic and, above all, to give them hope for a quality and fulfilling life. Because it's happening here and now, it won't wait until we solve the pandemic or the climate crisis or the economic problems. The way they live their lives is already decided. Whether it will be a life in which they will have quality education, good and adequately remunerated work, but also high-quality health care, including mental health care. If I had one more topic to point out, which is especially troubling for young people today, it is affordable and independent housing. This should again become an achievable target for all young Europeans, including capitals and European metropolises. These are the topics, these are the challenges that we should talk about this year of youth, and therefore not only talk about them, but also start actively addressing them.

Madam President, today none of us knows how this crisis will end. But we know for sure that it will determine the future of the entire continent. Indeed, if it becomes normal in Europe that strong states can arbitrarily trample the weaker ones, forcefully decide their fate, take away their freedom and sovereignty, then we all have a problem. And especially the smaller countries on the outskirts of the EU. As a politician from Slovakia, I therefore consider it crucial that the European Union acts resolutely and unitedly in its dialogue with Moscow, in its political and financial assistance to Ukraine, and, of course, in the preparation of harsh retaliatory sanctions. We are not only defending Ukraine, we are also defending a higher European peace principle. The principle that even small states are entitled to respect, to sovereignty, to security. Thanks to the European Union, we no longer have to live in a jungle where the strong can do everything and the weak must endure everything. And if we leave Ukraine to its fate today, we can all find ourselves in this jungle again.

This closes the sitting and will continue tomorrow, Wednesday 16 February at 9 a.m., by announcing the results of today's second vote. The agenda has been published and is also available on the European Parliament’s website.

The next item is the Statute for cross-border associations and non-profit organisations (2020/2026(INL)) (A9-0007/2022). I would therefore be the first to invite the rapporteur, Mr Lagodynski, to the debate. Please, you have a word.

The next item is the debate on the report by Markus Ferber, on behalf of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on the proposal ‘Impact of national tax reforms on the EU economy’ (2021/2074(INI)) (A9-0348/2021). At this point in time, I would like to remind Members that the catch-the-eye principle will not apply to all debates during this part-session and that no blue cards will be accepted. In addition, remote interventions from Parliament Liaison Offices in the Member States are foreseen, as in recent meetings. I would also like to remind you that interventions in the Chamber will continue from the main rostrum and I would therefore ask you to carefully monitor the roster of speakers and move closer to the rostrum when you are next.

Dear colleagues, I also wish to inform you that after, and in, agreement with the political groups, there will be a change to the agenda tomorrow. The morning debate on EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine will be held in the format of European Council and Commission statements.

– The next item is the debate on 7 motions for a resolution on the political crisis in Sudan (2022/2504(RSP))1. ____________________ 1 See Minutes.

The reason is that this is the very first time in the history of the European Parliament that Slovak sounds from this stage, and I think it is quite a significant moment. Thank you very much.