Debate contributions by Emil RADEV

Mr President, either Europe controls migration or migration controls Europe. There is no middle road. And let's be honest. We have watched for too long how the system is circumvented, how the rules are neglected and how citizens' trust is melting. Bulgaria saw the danger early on, but others underestimated it and we are now harvesting the fruits – security risks and social stability being undermined in a number of Member States. Yes, there's been progress. According to Frontex, irregular crossings fell by 26% last year, the lowest level in four years. But don’t be fooled – this is not a signal to relax, but to act even more decisively. The European People's Party is for a Europe that protects its borders and tackles illegal migration. And 2026 will be a crucial year. The Pact on Migration and Asylum enters into force in just a few months and there is no room for hesitation. Whoever has no right to stay must be returned immediately. We expect the new regulation on returns to work without exceptions, because compromises are at the expense of the security of European citizens. And one more thing. Visa policy is not a gift. It is a powerful tool and must be used strategically to protect borders and manage migration. And cooperation with third countries should not be limited to declarations, it should bring results. Migration policy must be fair, but firm. This does not make us less solidarity-based, but more responsible in protecting European citizens.

Madam President, disruptions to the global navigation system have grown exponentially since the start of the war in Ukraine. The data from Bulgaria clearly prove the trend. From one in 2021, cases increased to 183 in 2022, 199 in 2022, 312 in 2024, and by September of this year they were 128. These statistics also cover the case of the flight of the President of the European Commission from 31 August. Some of the Russian systems such as Optima 2:2, Flight 21, Murmansk BN and others for disturbing and violating the signals are deployed on the Crimean peninsula. The Black Sea region is particularly vulnerable and Europe must ask itself: Can we protect ourselves from hybrid attacks? Yes, planes and ships can do without satellites, but threats are growing and Europe cannot afford to be paralyzed in an attack. We have three urgent tasks ahead of us: to ensure the safety of citizens, to protect infrastructure, to strengthen the strategic autonomy of the European Union.

Mr President, at a time when the criminal world is becoming more and more inventive and new technologies are facilitating cross-border operations and the circumvention of laws, dirty financial flows are generating billions in losses and the war that Russia started in Europe has, as is known, unleashed dangerous trends related to arms trafficking, massive money laundering and terrorist financing schemes and circumvention of sanctions. This gives us reason to urge the European Commission to take action on Russia's blacklisting of high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies. You know that the FATF has already discussed the issue, but has not taken decisions solely because of the BRICS vote. Therefore, the European Commission must immediately take measures and make an objective and detailed assessment of the risks that Russia poses to the financial security of the Union and issue a delegated act. Let it be clear, the blacklist is and must remain a tool for fair and just measures, and as such is an important part of the EU’s legal and institutional anti-money laundering arsenal alongside the new legislative package adopted at the end of last term.