Speeches

Thank you for the opportunity to ask a question, Mr. Vilimsky. You said you wanted peace. Do you believe that Putin will stop attacking Ukraine? Do you believe that Putin will leave Ukraine if Ukraine stops defending itself? You don't think anyone wants peace here? We want peace in Ukraine, but we support Ukraine in defending itself. Do you trust Putin? Please answer me. Do you trust Putin when you call for peace?

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I supported the report on the transparency and accountability of NGOs financed by the EU budget, and let me give you a few reasons. The European Parliament acknowledges the role of non-profit organisations and has called on the Commission to further simplify and streamline the procedure for applying for EU funds. NO today also connects civil society and the political sphere and must therefore meet the requirements of transparency and accountability. This is why the European Parliament calls for non-profit organisations, like other organisations, to be required to indicate how they use the European budget. We need to strengthen public transparency and accountability requirements. We also stress that organisations that have participated in activities such as hate speech, incitement to terrorism or religious extremism or support for violence should not have access to EU-funded programmes.

Madam President, let me explain my vote, in which I abstained precisely on the report on the implementation of the provisions of the Treaty on citizenship of the European Union. This citizenship of the European Union has been a part of us for more than 30 years. The report analyses existing problems and legislation on citizenship of the European Union. I very much appreciate the European Parliament's call on the Member States to strengthen and develop school curricula on teaching, on the history and the present of Europe and the European Union. This is clearly an important tool to strengthen civic engagement. The European Parliament also calls on the Commission to develop public consultations and the involvement of young people. Our priority should therefore be to exploit the existing potential of the Treaties, because I believe that there is no need to create a new status of citizenship of the European Union and it is not appropriate to interfere with national competences. Therefore, I did not support the report.

Madam President, let me express my satisfaction that the European Parliament has adopted a clear statement and resolution on what is happening in Slovakia, concerning government activities, planning the dissolution of key anti-corruption units in Slovakia and its consequences for the rule of law. The European Parliament called on the Slovak Government to reconsider these amendments in light of their possible implications for the rule of law, the financial interests of the Union and its anti-corruption framework. I voted in favour of this resolution. I took the floor in the discussion and explained that I am very concerned that Slovakia should take a democratic path so as not to disrupt the institution that helps in the fight against corruption.

– Madam President, ... Commissioner, dear colleagues, first of all, I would like to thank all colleagues for excellent cooperation over this important resolution. Thank you. The last decade for Tajikistan meant a continuous decline of media freedom. Journalists were sentenced and journalism has become a dangerous job. Now, the media’s freedom is reported to be in its worst state since 1991. Seven journalists were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their work in 2022 and 2023, while anti-terrorism legislation is being used to silence critical voices. What was a relatively diverse media environment now entails only a few remaining media outlets that still have to endure harassment and threats. The rest of journalists are leaving the country and young people are afraid to choose this occupation. In our resolution, we urge the authorities to stop the persecution, release detainees, including human rights lawyers, and ensure safe working environment for media workers. Ensuring the independence of media and freedom of expression must be a condition for the negotiations of the new EU-Tajikistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. We call on international institutions, such as UNHRC, to closely monitor the situation in the country and to report the findings. Tajikistan’s media landscape is at a critical juncture and deserves our and international attention. Thank you for your support.

I believe it is my colleague's right to have his case investigated. He has spoken about this and, of course, it is unacceptable for me – even if it is a government that is a member of the EPP – to take steps that are against Greek law. My colleague has the right to defend himself and I respect his right and I believe that in the rule of law his right will be fulfilled. That's all I can tell you.

Madam President, I am speaking here because I don't care how the European Parliament talks about Greece, a country that has had to deal with a major economic and migration crisis. I have great respect for Greek citizens, for the non-profit sector, and also for the Greek government, its prime minister, for the work they have done to protect against illegal migration, but also for those who have had to flee, how they care for refugees in Greek registration centres and how they care for their integration. The Greek Government must be aware that it has major shortcomings in media freedom. This has also been noted by the Commission, and we can see that the Greek Government has made some changes. Moreover, they were also published in the Commission’s latest Rule of Law Report. Therefore, today's debate should not only be a criticism of Greece, but should also point out that the Greek government has made changes that have even been described as examples of good practice. I think the Greek government has to make changes, but I still appreciate her work very much. (The speaker agreed to answer the blue card question.)

Madam President, Commissioner, two years have passed since the Commission communication on extending the list of European Union crimes to include these speeches, but the Council has not yet responded, while hate speech, hate speech and calls for hatred, violence and hatred are increasingly being encountered, especially on social media. That's why I don't think there's anything to wait for. I believe that there is no need to change the vote in the Council for this step and that a reasonable solution will be supported by a majority of Council members. To my colleagues on the right, I want to say that the protection of human dignity is a fundamental conservative principle, and I believe that it is the Conservative Members who should support the clarification of a crime that attacks human dignity. What started in Ireland with the adoption of a law against cyberbullying, I expect that such a law that protects children, especially children on the Internet, should also be adopted at European level. And I call on the Commission not to stop its initiative.

Madam President, it is time to thank farmers for the fact that we have something to eat every day, and also for the fact that they are the ones who ensure food security for the future. We are aware of the problems they face. In order to ensure food security and the interest of the young generation to work in agriculture, we need to address the challenges, the socio-economic impacts they face, in particular ensuring an income for farmers, their economic prospects and their security. This is also why we need to address the protection and accessibility of agricultural land, cutting unnecessary red tape at both national and European level. And I would like to take this opportunity once again to call on the Commissioner to submit a legislative amendment that will allow for the flexibility of the GAEC 8 condition. It can be adopted quickly, cutting red tape and making our farmers work.

Mr President, dear colleagues, I want to comment on the last development in the deportation of Ukrainian children – because on 4 January, President Putin signed a decree to simplify further granting Russian citizenship to Ukrainians, including children. This is another of Putin’s attempts to eradicate the Ukrainian people and steal their future children. Through this decree, Ukrainian children can now become Russian citizens on the whim of the Russian dictator. If we don't act, we may soon wake up to a reality where all Ukrainian deported children will lose their original identity and become Russian citizens. We must act. So I welcome the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, newly formed by President Zelenskyy. I call for greater involvement from the International Red Cross Committee as well as the European Commission. We must work together for the safe return of children.

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, colleagues, I am addressing you both as a representative of citizens and as a representative of farmers who feel threatened. At the same time, I want to make it clear that we stand behind Ukraine's support so far and we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. The concept of the Solidarity Corridor is based on the idea of creating new transport links, corridors between the Ukrainian border and the ports of the European Union, from where Ukrainian grain is to be shipped further to Asia and Africa. But the reality is often that Ukrainian grain instead ends up in warehouses and reduces the purchase price of domestic grain. However, neither Ukrainian farmers nor European farmers benefit from this. While the spring protests preceded the Commission’s decision to authorise an embargo on imports of Ukrainian crops, which was used by five EU countries, later autumn protests followed the lifting of the embargo by the Commission in September. Three countries – Poland, Slovakia, Hungary – have decided to continue the embargo unilaterally, but the problem of importing Ukrainian grain remains. Therefore, Commissioner, Minister, new measures need to be considered. Consider whether this should mean better registration, checking how much food, products are coming to the EU, as well as considering further better and more effective assistance for exports and securing outlets outside the EU for Ukraine.

Mr President, last but not least, enlargement is one of the most effective and successful instruments of EU foreign policy. Thirty years on, the Copenhagen criteria are as up-to-date as ever. They include respect for democracy, the rule of law, human rights and a functioning market economy. The resolution calls on the European Council, at its meeting on 14 and 15 December 2023, to decide to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and to grant candidate status to Georgia, if it takes the necessary steps. We call for the establishment of a clear timetable for EU enlargement to conclude accession negotiations by the end of this decade. At the same time, however, we stress that there are no shortcuts to EU membership. I trust that this recommendation will be followed up.

Mr President, like my colleague Polčák, I supported this recommendation to the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs in EU-China relations policy. This policy should be based on the principles of working together where possible, competing where necessary and confronting where necessary. Our recommendation contains three challenges. First, China's involvement in addressing global challenges. As an important international player, China must take responsibility, that is, stop supporting Russian aggression, act under the Paris Agreement and respect rights. The second principle or challenge concerns respect for human rights. The EU must stand up to China's human rights violations and ensure a united European response. Thirdly, reducing risks from China to ensure Europe’s open strategic autonomy. I hope that both the European Council and the Commission will listen to our recommendation.

Mr President, today we adopted amendments to the regulation on the European Health Data Space. I was happy to support this first ever proposal for a common health data space. The primary use of this data is intended to improve users' access to and control over their personal electronic health data. Secondary use of this data will then support research, innovation, policy-making, preparedness and response to health threats, patient safety, official statistics, etc. Here, as the EPP Group, we have managed to negotiate an opt-out, i.e. the right of a citizen to refuse to process all or parts of his or her health data precisely for secondary use. Users will now be provided with an easily understandable and accessible refusal mechanism. The agreed text now contains a clear strong wording on the protection of intellectual rights and clarification of the purpose of data processing for secondary use.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, lately our attention has been directed mainly towards the deportation of Ukrainian children and their re-education in camps. However, Tibetan children are also suffering at the hands of the repressive policies of the government of the People’s Republic of China. Around 1 million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and put into the expensive system of compulsory boarding schools. Here they are being stripped of their language, culture and religion. The PRC Government’s objective is clear: to eradicate Tibetan identity altogether and steal their future. We strongly condemn these repressive policies and call for immediate abolishment of the boarding school system. We call on the Member States and the High Representative to demand from the Chinese Government permits for European diplomats to visit boarding schools across Tibet, as well as to allow independent journalists to visit the region. However, the Chinese Government must refrain from spreading fake news, as for example, on 5 September, when the Chinese Government orchestrated a media tour in one of the boarding schools to try to sway public opinion. No matter how many divisions China throws it cannot overshadow the large extent of their assimilation policies. Children’s rights are nothing for the Chinese Government. I appeal to the UN to address these horrible breaches of human rights and attempts to eradicate the Tibetan identity in the upcoming Universal Periodic Review in January. Dear colleagues, in ten days we will celebrate Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus. Let me say that like him every child needs love and protection. Thank you for your support.

Madam President, dear colleagues, for years the indigenous people have been fighting for their rights in Tanzania. The Maasai are continuously being pushed out of their ancestral land. Since 2009, the government has used a range of abusive tactics to displace about150 000 people across the Ngorongoro District. On 22 June, the Tanzanian authorities deprived more than 90 000 people of access to grazing land, including access to food, water and healthcare. Refusal was met with teargas, rubber bullets and arrests. The Tanzanian Government must halt these forcible evictions and allow the Maasai the ancestral land they have managed for generations. We call on the EEAS and the Commission to insist on upholding human rights in their political dialogue with Tanzania.

Madam President, dear colleagues, again we call for the release of political prisoners in Belarus as 1 500 persons have been imprisoned in the pursuit of Belarusian democracy. They are facing trials behind closed doors, on trumped up charges and in inhuman conditions. One of them is Mikalai Statkevich, a former presidential candidate imprisoned for 14 years. For the last nine months, neither his family nor lawyer has had any contact with him. Several sources recently reported he had died in prison. His wife, Marina, has the right to see her husband. We, as the European Parliament, demand the immediate release of all political prisoners and insist on their access to lawyers and families. We have to invite the International Committee of the Red Cross again to take an active approach in these matters. We stand firmly with the people of Belarus in their democratic opposition and in their pursuit of a free and democratic Belarus. Zhyve Belarus!

Madam President, Slovak friends and citizens, you are not alone in this, as Ivan Štefanec said. We're here with you. Corruption, populism, extremism, they do not avoid any country, and you have stood up to them. You stood up to them in the last election when you drove Fico and his people out of the institutions in response to the murder of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée. I'm half Slovak, I'm proud of it and I can't believe you'll be idly watching Fico dismantle the rule of law, limit judicial independence and media freedom. The European Parliament does not condemn you, but condemns the practices of your Prime Minister, his people. This discussion is not about you without you. I also speak here at the instigation of a letter from the Kuciak and Kušnír families, who fear that the death of their children may have been in vain if Slovakia does not defend its freedom. And I want to say to Mr. Uhrík that you did not get into the Slovak National Council with your program of abolishing the special prosecutor's office. That's the way it is.

Mr. Colleague, I want to ask you when you say that the Special Prosecutor's Office is so bad and President Fico was obviously planning to abolish it. I mean, did he have it on the posters? Did Prime Minister Fico have in his election program that he would reduce the penalties for corruption? I didn't see it. I travel through Slovakia, I have friends and family there. I didn't hear anywhere that he was planning on doing it. I want to ask you: Did you see that? Can you show me where this proposal was in the election program?

Mr President, Commissioner, the worst thing about Russian aggression is, of course, the loss of human lives, the suffering of people, but environmental pollution, the destruction of water resources, soil, that is a loss not only for this generation, but also for future generations. And Russia must know that these losses will be counted and that Russia will pay them. The destruction of the Kachovka dam is just the visible tip of the iceberg, which caused almost a humanitarian catastrophe in the vicinity, lack of drinking water, destruction of huge hectares of land. But I want to stress that the European Parliament has called for a register of such damage, and the Council has already created this register. I think this is the right way to set up an international compensation mechanism. Russia must know that it will pay for this damage.

Mr President, Commissioner, this debate today builds on the debate that took place in the European Parliament and on the proposal of the European Parliament, which called for the directive to be tabled in January 2021. At the time, we were dealing with the consequences of COVID-19, but not only that. Digital technologies are simply becoming the main working tool in many professions. And, of course, such an online connection has negative impacts on mental health, on private life, but ultimately on the results of work. Employees should be able to disconnect, rest and not be constantly under pressure, stress, on-call and online. So far, there is no legal framework at EU level. I thank the Commissioner for starting to renegotiate, but it is, of course, up to the Member States themselves to assess the situation, the urgency and some countries have already taken such measures.

Mr President, Commissioner, it is at this critical time that we need to build partnerships with partners who are democratic and who are reliable, and Taiwan is such a partner. They share with us the values and commitments of human rights. We appreciate his help in times of COVID-19 crisis, as well as the coordination in support of Ukraine and the coordination of sanctions against Russia. Despite this increase in cooperation – and we are seeing it in the area of investment, the European Union's investment in Taiwan has increased by 131 % over the last decade and Taiwan's investment in EU territory has increased by 352 % – there is room for improvement, and we therefore call on both the European Commission and the European External Action Service to develop a strategy and urgently start work on an agreement with Taiwan on a resilient supply chain. With this step, we want to strengthen the security of Taiwan and its silicon shield, i.e. the production of more than 60% of all chips. Cooperation with Taiwan benefits both the EU and the Member States.

Madam President, I would like to use this one-minute speech to comment on the decision of the International Olympic Committee to include Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This decision is disappointing. It is disappointing for those who see the suffering of the Ukrainian nation, who see Russian aggression, which is also subject to athletes. More than 200 athletes were killed and may have participated in the Olympic Games. It is a disappointment for us who respect the Olympic principles and want the Olympic Games to be true to these principles of peace and fair sport. I can appreciate that the International Olympic Committee has put forward a number of conditions, but we ask: How will these conditions be enforced? How will the Olympic Committee ensure that athletes are not part of the military security forces? How will they find out that these athletes do not support Russian aggression? These questions must be answered by the International Olympic Committee.

Madam President, today I voted against the proposed amendments to the Treaties. I am in favour of the integration of a European Union that is gradual, transparent and negotiated with citizens. The proposals voted on today lead to a significant deepening of integration and a weakening of Member States' competences. And as I said, they were not completely discussed with the citizens. I simply cannot identify with such radical changes and defend them to my fellow citizens. These are specific changes ranging from formal changes, such as the change of the name of the Commission to the European Executive, or the introduction of the office of President of the European Union, to fundamental changes to strengthen the competences of the European Union at the expense of the Member States, such as the replacement of unanimity by qualified majority in areas such as the negotiation and conclusion of trade agreements or foreign investment. I think that what we need now is to unite the European Union, not to divide it. This is also reflected in today's vote: 291 in favour, 274 against, 44 abstentions. This means that this proposal does not even have the support of a majority of the Members present.

Madam President, I want to explain why I supported the proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste, because it is important. We don't want to die one day under tons of waste that is multiplying. For example, 1.33 million tonnes of waste were placed on the market in the Czech Republic alone in 2021. At the same time, waste and these packaging have a very short life cycle, or it is not possible to recycle them. Over the past 20 years, we have produced two-thirds of the plastics that have been produced since the beginning of their massive production since 1950. Packaging in the EU consumes the most pure virgin materials, 50% of paper consumption and 40% of plastic consumption. I therefore consider it important that, as of 1 January 2030, 10% of such packaging that will be used is reusable packaging and, as of 1 January 2040, 30% of such packaging will be reused.