Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, in today's debate I have not actually heard anyone exuberantly positive about this agreement. Lots of critics. I must tell you that Europe has not really made a good turn for me here. Why? We didn't speak with one voice, that's for sure. The President of the Commission and two Heads of Government are not Team Europe. We have also completely sidelined Parliament and, after two months, we still do not know all the details of the agreement. What is clear is that we have given a blank cheque to an autocratic head of government who is actually undermining human rights and fuelling violence against migrants. And all this without success, dear colleagues. Yes, we need to better protect the external borders. Yes, we need to crack down on human smugglers. Yes, we need to promote the return of irregular migration. But above all, we need to work towards a genuine European asylum and migration policy. And I can't get the image of Matyla Dosso and her daughter Marie out of my head as a mother, as a politician. This is not my Europe. Let us work on the migration pact, on tackling smugglers, but also on protecting people fleeing war and violence.

Mr President, Commissioner, almost all of us have been saying the same thing here for 1.5 years: Ukraine must not lose this war. Where would Putin stop if he won this war? We must therefore work towards compliance with these sanctions, but we should do so more quickly. We need to rebuild Ukraine. We also need to do this faster. We must ensure that the war criminals are brought to justice. But do you know what we really need to do? Make sure they have the necessary ammunition. And we have taken steps forward, we have the ASAP legislation. But do we really think $500 million will make a difference? These are very small steps forward in the war to support Ukraine. We need to take big steps forward today. Realising that defence union, a European armed force, and ensuring that we send a different message to Ukraine than all the time ‘not now’, ‘maybe later’, ‘maybe next year’. Let's make sure that war stops now. We have that responsibility.

Mr President, with a year to go until the European elections, two-thirds of Europeans say they will go to the polls. That was more than five years ago. We found that the EU is seen as relevant, but that citizens in many Member States intend to vote anti-EU. Real breakthroughs must therefore be made at this summit to convince citizens that the EU matters. For example, I expect a strict 11th package of sanctions against aggressive Russia, which includes not only all names, but also diamonds. We also need to adopt a new strategy towards the dominant China. We need to create a defence union and a European army. Finally, we need to finalise the migration pact. After all, people expect answers. Let us also protect children who are fleeing, who are not explicitly mentioned in the migration pact.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam is yet another inhuman war crime committed by the Russian army. For me, it shows once again that we need to do more and faster. I think this moment should make the following clear: First, provide urgent emergency assistance now. This is, I think, the worst human environmental disaster since Chernobyl. So please make sure we get the emergency aid. And secondly: I think we are now working on the 11th package of sanctions. The eleventh. Can we please make sure that this is all there is to it? Let's extend the crimes, including diamonds. I say that as a proud Belgian. But we don't want a blood diamond. Make sure those 6,000 Navalny names are on it. Make sure that there is a European mechanism that fights the circumvention of these sanctions. And Last but not least: How long do we have to wait for that war tribunal to be set up to try these war crimes?

Mr President, today is the International Day against Child Labour and we must seize this day more than ever. Worldwide, one hundred and sixty million children are employed in child labour. I once saw it with my own eyes: children who have to sell coca-cola on the corner of the street, children who have to assemble shoes in dark factories and, worse, children who have to sit down to see if they are small enough to descend into a shaft and carry out mining work. These are horrible scenes. Therefore, more than ever, let us work towards zero tolerance in this area and ensure that products made by children's hands never enter Europe again. We know that legislation alone is not enough. We need to address the causes of poverty: We need to make sure that children can go to school and not be responsible for the income of the whole family. Child labour must be eliminated worldwide.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, wake up! Can I tell you that? Wake up. Look at the figures: We've lost 5.1 million farmers in the last 15 years. One third of our European farms. That's a thousand a day, a thousand farmers a day disappearing in our Europe. And for the farmers who still want to farm, it is made almost impossible. One obligation follows the other. We too, Mrs de Lange, are not opposed to the Green Deal, but it is the accumulation of measures that prevents the survival of the peasant stockpile, while agriculture was the founding factor in Europe. And that is why, Mrs de Lange, I very much agree with your plea. Let's just say this, because this debate is about one thing: What about the Nature Restoration Act? Well, it has to go back to the drawing board, it has to go back to the Commission. The impact on agriculture is too great. And all those other laws – the Nature Restoration Act, the Pesticides Act, industrial emissions – of that, Commissioner, must also be subject to an impact analysis. Let the peasant stockpile survive in Europe. Make sure we don't depend on other countries for our food.

Mr President, Commissioner Breton, the European defence industry needs to move – very urgently – to a higher gear, because we have not been able to supply Ukraine for months at the pace needed in this war of exhaustion. And colleagues, we must keep in mind: Ukraine must not lose this war. That would be catastrophic for Ukraine, but also for Europe. Where would Putin stop, do you think, if he wins in Ukraine? As a Union, we therefore have a duty to adopt and implement Commissioner Breton's plans as soon as possible. And, Mr Breton, our group will be pushing for this urgent procedure tomorrow. This has to go through. This should have been done by now, I dare say. So we are going to do everything we can with Renew Europe to realize that urgent procedure. And I am also pleased that it is now finally in the Council that the joint purchase of ammunition can continue there. But, Mr Breton, more needs to be done. For me, this is a momentum now. We are now united: the Council, the Commission, the Parliament. But it can't stay with this one time. For me, this should be the start of building a real Defence Union. And you know me, and you know what I'm going to plead for. I call for a genuine European Defence Union with a European army. I know that goes too far for some here, but I think: Do we want to keep peace on this continent? And today is a very special day: 8 May, the end of World War II. Some colleagues are rather narrow about this. How do you think Ukraine can win the war if we don't have ammunition and weapons against Putin? So this delivery is highly necessary. Mr Breton, go for it! Go for it! Renew Europe, your group, will support you and we will ensure that Ukraine wins the war and that we never have war again on this European continent.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear Minister, children are the most vulnerable in wartime. But what we now see is madness. Russia has deported over 20 000 innocent children from Ukraine. As a mother of two, I wonder, what if it was my son? What if it was my daughter taken away from me? And we know the brutal facts of Russian officials forcing young children in re-education camps to ratify them. Let’s be crystal clear. Deporting children of war is a war crime. And I therefore welcome the arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court against Putin. I also welcome the initiative of President von der Leyen to organise a conference on this tragedy, and as Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Children’s Rights, I can only say ‘you have our full support’. Organise it – we will help you. Colleagues, the most important thing we have to say here today, as the European Parliament: we know where a lot of children are so bring them home. Take them back to their families. That’s our duty.

Mr President, Mrs von der Leyen, Mr Borrell, ladies and gentlemen, the last few weeks have not been the epitome of a strong and united Europe. It's been years since Kissinger wondered: ‘To whom should I call if I want to talk to Europe?’ And now citizens – and probably also the Chinese – are wondering who is speaking on behalf of Europe. Just take a look at the visits of the past six months: Olaf Scholz, Charles Michel, Pedro Sánchez, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen. And you too, Mr. Borrell, would go. Everyone with their specific message. Instead of going to China one by one with those specific messages, we'd better determine what our message is right now, and then go together. Only then, Mrs von der Leyen, will Europe be strong enough to stand up to China. We know very clearly what that message should be. We have approved here in this House my report on a renewed China strategy. And you too, Mr Borrell, were actually very clear in your speech. I thought they were very academic – because now we will have to do it politically – but you were actually very clear about the four priorities. I think there is a consensus on the content. We will not accept Chinese military support to Russia. We will not accept the use of force in the Taiwan Strait. And we will not close our eyes to systematic human rights violations. But, of course, we remain open to working with China on crucial challenges, such as climate change. Now we must act together and not let ourselves be played out by China's divide-and-rule strategy. Mr Weber, you are just getting into that! Stop that. Don't let us break up. This is what China wants. We must, of course, focus on strategic autonomy. We need to send this message to China. The truth is very simple, colleagues: We cannot afford the luxury of being divided over China. We have way too much to lose.

Mr President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Vice-President of the Commission, it is very clear to me. There are three priorities for this European Council: Ukraine, Ukraine and Ukraine. First of all, Ukraine. Give me those guns. I think President Zelenskyy was very clear. Deliver ammunition, deliver planes, deliver long-range missiles. I think that if we want Ukraine to win this war, we really need to focus on those weapons, and we are going to have to buy them together at European level. We need to increase defence production, strengthen the defence sector. And for me, Mr Michel – I see you nodding – this is also the beginning of a European army. Buy those weapons in common and have the political courage to decide on the creation of a European army. That is a very clear objective for me. Secondly, Ukraine. Second priority: Ukraine and sanctions. We will continue to murmur in this House until those 6 000 names are on that list of sanctions. We have Guy Verhofstadt with Navalny. We will continue to strive for this. The third priority: Ukraine and the future. What is the future of Ukraine? I think, ladies and gentlemen, that only Ukraine will decide that. Russia will not determine this. China will not determine this. We need to help build Ukraine's European future. Because it is important – I think – that Ukraine wins that war. Not only for the future of Ukraine, but also for us as a European Union. And colleagues, Europe must not be the playing field of the other great powers. Europe must play its part as a great power and that requires unity. And Mr Michel, I was a little worried yesterday when I read the rumors that there was a difference in vision around China policy. I really don't think we should make the mistake of looking at China in a divided way. Mrs. von der Leyen is no longer here, but pass on that message. I certainly hope that you will be on the same page as far as China is concerned, and that we will not make the mistake we made with Russia. This legislation on critical materials is really necessary. We have to bet on that. And finally, we must take control of our own destiny. So I make a real appeal, Mr Michel, for the Council to come up with unanimity and firm decisions. Renew Europe supports you in this.

Well, I actually want to join my colleague Bütikofer, because I have to say honestly, Mr Borrell, it is indeed about transatlantic relations and I also use this – just like my colleague Bütikofer – to cite this. Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen was in the United States. We are now reading that there is a conflict in attitude between Mrs von der Leyen and Charles Michel regarding China's vision. We have voted broadly in favour of an excellent report by me on China, in which we said: “For China policies, we need to engage with equal partners.” Now I ask you the question, Mr Borrell: Was there an exchange of data? Have the United States, as a good partner, exchanged data with us, Europe, as if China were supplying weapons to Russia in the conflict that exists there? That's a question about transatlantic relations. And at: You were actually shared between the Council and the Commission, were you not? What is your position now? Are you following Mrs von der Leyen or are you following Charles Michel on China policy? Are you influenced by the attitude of the United States towards China? That is clearly a question about transatlantic relations.

Mr President, Mr von der Leyen, the war in Ukraine has been raging for almost a year, resulting in much human drama and suffering. We too are suffering the consequences. I think we can all agree that this war must end, with the exception of a few speakers, who may be paid for by authoritarian regimes and whom I will not mention by name. The only solution is a victory for Ukraine and a Europe with its teeth. We must ensure that Ukraine gets the resources it needs without delay, including fighter jets, tanks and ammunition. We also need to create a Europe that has hair on its teeth. Several Member States are currently questioning how to better organise their defence. However, this issue needs to be addressed at EU level. Mrs von der Leyen, we must immediately establish a defence union and a European armed force. Finally, we are now on the tenth package of sanctions. We have a list of six thousand names, but we add only a few banks and names to each new package. We need to add these six thousand names. Let's say to Putin together: ‘Putin, you will never win the war!’

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the war waged by the armed group M23, supported by Rwanda, in the east of the DRC requires our attention. Indeed, the humanitarian situation is alarming. We are witnessing a host of evils that accompany this war: Insecurity, forced recruitment and displacement of civilians, summary executions and massacres have become part of the backdrop of eastern DRC. This information stems from the reports of Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Human Rights Commission, which are clear evidence of this. As we have just mentioned, these problems are known, as are the solutions. Unfortunately, unlike problems, solutions remain on paper. Europe, Commissioner, Commissioner, Europe must exert its full weight to facilitate the implementation of these solutions, such as the implementation of the Luanda Roadmap or the Nairobi process. The suffering has lasted long enough in this powder magazine, which risks causing the whole region to flare up if nothing is done. Martin Luther King said: ‘I am not afraid of the wickedness of the bad, but of the silence of honest people.’ So let’s break this silence and denounce this barbarism in order to put an end to it. And to the Congolese people, I say: you are on the path of democracy, with a great challenge, that of organising elections. Do not let the enemies of democracy make you deviate from this path, because they have never tasted it. Amani tuenu!

Mr President, Commissioner, the moving image of Mesut, the Turkish man who refuses to let go of the hand of his deceased daughter, is on my mind. The photos of baby Aya, who was born under the rubble in Syria and her parents are lost, do not let me go. The devastation is enormous and the need is high. The first European emergency aid was quickly on the ground. I would therefore like to thank all those who work very hard in difficult circumstances. I would ask the Commissioner to do more for Mesut, Aya and all affected families. There needs to be a Marshall Plan with shelter in the region. Moreover, we must not close our eyes to Erdoğan's mismanagement and must condemn the censorship of this autocrat. Finally, we must not forget Syria and we must ensure that everyone is helped. In many areas where there is no help, one has to fight for survival. Humanitarian aid should never be part of a political game.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we have been negotiating for hours this morning. When we talk about Israel and Palestine, they are always fierce discussions with a lot of emotions, I must not tell you that. I would like to thank my shadow rapporteurs very much. It was a very difficult, very intense debate, and we tried to make a good resolution together. We agree that the two-state solution is the only way forward. Commissioner, we believe that Europe should play a role in this, contribute to that two-state solution, no matter how difficult the situation. That is why we ask you very clearly – to the Commission – to launch a European peace initiative. Organize an international conference as a first step. Make it clear to the next Israeli government that the occupation of the Palestinian territories must stop. Make it clear to the Palestinian Authority that it needs to get its own house in order. And resolutely condemn the violence on both sides. In 2022, the world – and we know this – has not become safer. But this conflict deserves our continued attention. That's our job. This Parliament is counting on you.

Mr President, Commissioner, with today's decision to end Eva Kaili's Vice-Presidency, we have sent a strong signal. Europe is not for sale, never. That was also a necessary signal, because this corruption scandal touches the heart of our European Parliament, of our European project. Everything about Qatar – and I think everyone has already said it here – should be back on the table, starting with visa-free travel. We must cooperate fully with the judicial investigation, in which the Belgian services have done an excellent job. But this is just the beginning. We need to give full transparency to all lobbying contacts in and around the European Parliament and see how the other European institutions deal with them. And it's wider. We must rigorously follow the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on foreign interference. We're a target, we need to realize that. This calls for a coordinated European approach and a genuine committee of inquiry. Colleagues, interventions should be done on the basis of vision, on the basis of conviction, and not on the basis of money in your bank account. Let this be a turning point.

Mr President, we have already heard about the brutal crackdown on demonstrators in Iran with many ordinary people being arrested, children being killed. As Mrs Ries said: It doesn't really stop, and we have to be honest: There is nothing to justify the Iranian regime's actions. Because women can stand up for their freedom, women can protest against oppression, everyone has the right to take to the streets against that oppression. I have to say: I am very proud of the measures taken by our President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to say: no more official meetings of the European Parliament with the Iranian authorities. But we also expect very clear actions from you, Commissioner. We ask that you clearly support an independent investigation. I think that's where it all starts. And also ensure that those who co-direct repression are subject to targeted sanctions. As a woman, it breaks my heart to see that in many countries it is still very dangerous to be born as a woman, as a girl. That it's dangerous to take to the streets just because you want freedom. We have to turn the tide.

Mr President, after the October European Summit, I was relieved. I thought, Mr. Borrell: Our leaders have finally understood. They finally understood that the friendship between China and Russia would have consequences for our relations with China. They have finally understood that we need to be united and that we need to reduce certain dependencies. But then, a few days after the summit and almost immediately after the Chinese party congress, the German Chancellor decides to go to China on a business trip. And he goes alone. On the purchase, he does not see why the sale of part of the port of Hamburg to China can be problematic. Is this what Chancellor Scholz meant after Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Are these the lessons we learn? If we do not want to make the same mistake as with our relations with Russia, we must start implementing a more united and assertive policy towards China. That is the strategy, Mr Borrell, which this Parliament called for in my report last year. I'm closing. (Mr Borrell has also been allowed to go far beyond his speaking time.) We can only be a Europe with a voice in the world if we are united. Do the same with China.

Mr President, racism and discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin are a daily reality for millions of Europeans. There are so many people who are treated badly because of their skin color or religion. So do my children and husband, because of their dark skin tone. As a mother and a politician, I am very concerned about the rise of the far right in Europe. She reminds me of how deeply rooted racism and discrimination are in our society, how it dehumanises individuals, how it turns people into monsters and how deadly hatred can be. We must stand up and take urgent action. There is no place for racism in Europe. It is not our origin that counts, but our future.

Mr President, Commissioner, the income of our farmers is at an absolute low and a sector that was already in crisis is sinking even deeper into the red. The price increases, colleagues, I have to tell you, are not normal. Fertiliser prices have doubled, tripled, energy prices more than doubled and feed costs have also increased enormously. And the proceeds? Proceeds remain the same. This week, Commissioner, the Flemish figures of our Flemish farmers were published. This shows that operating costs have increased by 25 % across all sectors of the farm stockpile and that 93 % of turnover actually goes to costs. You told me a while ago, Commissioner, how many farmers are disappearing in Europe every day. Do you remember that number? That was a thousand per day, colleagues, a thousand farmers per day disappearing in Europe. I ask you now, Commissioner, do you know the current figures? Mr President, I shall conclude, because it is an important issue here. I want to make a call here. Let's ... (the President took the floor)

Mr President, High Representative, colleagues, after seven months of war, the threat of an escalation, even a military escalation, a nuclear escalation, is greater than ever. Everything shows Putin's despair because his war failed. But, colleagues, a desperate Putin is a danger to the world. He will continue to use all means to destabilize us, to scare us, and above all to divide us. Do we allow that? Or do we remain one determined European bloc as at the start of the war? The cold winter should not break our unity. Why does the Commission continue to refuse to introduce a European gas price cap? Why does the Council continue to allow Hungary to determine the strength of our sanctions? And why is the engine of our economy still playing soloslim instead of opting for European solutions? On Friday, European leaders will meet at an informal Council. Informally or not, important, big decisions have to be made. The most important thing for me is that European response to the energy crisis. We must make full use of our European strength. Or as our Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo put it: We can't use a loner now. It is time to recognize the urgency of this crisis.

Dear President, thank you very much and good evening, dear High Representative, dear colleagues, over 100 deaths and still counting, we all know the brutal story. Public protests in Iran broke out after Amini died in custody after she was arrested for not wearing the hijab correctly. We cannot close our eyes to these atrocities. We must pursue a clear strategy in which we put women’s rights on the top of the agenda. As Madeleine Albright once said: “there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help women”. Therefore, Mr Borrell, if you don’t want to go to hell – and I think you don’t want to go to hell – I really urge you: provide access to our European universities, support civil society in their fight for women’s rights, protect human rights defenders and target directly the leaders and people who are responsible for these crimes. Let’s never give up on women, the life and the liberty in Iran. They need our help.

Madam President, Commissioner, I would finally say! Finally, after our first call in 2020, we are here today to give the green light to that necessary universal charger. We all know and you all said it: it is good for the consumer, good for the consumer's wallet and good for our environment. Done with drawers full of cables. And if you're looking for one, you'll never find the right one. You have them all lying there, you put them in the air again, because it really is a tangle of chargers that we finally get rid of! That is much needed, because do you know that no less than 311 million smartphones were sold in the first quarter of this year, each with its own charger? That will be done by now. Consumers will be able to decide: Yes, I'm buying a cable, or no, I'm not buying a cable. Moreover, the benefit to the environment is enormous. I think Sara said it too: 13 000 tonnes of electronic waste from unused cables that we can actually avoid. I just need this from the heart: It's too slow for me. It will start in 2024. For me, it can go into effect today. I think another colleague has already asked the question: Is it too much power from industry or too little power from Europe? I can only say, Commissioner, that I am still trying to push it so that it will go faster and so that we have that much-needed universal charger in our closet very quickly!

Madam President, Mrs von der Leyen, thank you for your speech. Today you have once again given the European Union a human face. You spoke courageously about Ukraine. You were very firm about these Russian sanctions. And when it comes to energy, you were actually completely on our line: revenue skimming, price cap. I would have liked to have had a better schedule. A very strict and very concrete timetable, that is what the citizens are asking of us. So I hope you can come up with that very strict timetable in the coming days. And you would not blame me, but I was surprised – as I know you very well – that you did not say anything here about the European Defence Union and, as far as I am concerned, about that European army. So maybe you can give us some hope right away, because we need this. And a second point, Mrs von der Leyen: We had that convention. We've had those citizens' panels. They have put forward great proposals. Make the convention work now! If we are to give Europe a place in the world, we must abolish that unanimity. Just do that! You have our support.

Mr President, High Representative, we have known for a very long time that China has its eyes on Taiwan, and yet the situation has never been so alarming. China’s threats following Nancy Pelosi’s visit, its military exercises, and unprecedented crossings of the median line are unacceptable. Experts even say China’s actions are a dress rehearsal for an invasion. Dear High Representative, the US warned us over Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine and we refused to see reality. We must not make the same mistake again. We now have two options: either we continue our ‘wait and see’ strategy, as we did for too long with Russia, or we decide to act. And my choice is very clear. Therefore, I really ask you today to show our support to Taiwan by working on that investment agreement. Work on a contingency plan, together with like-minded partners, in the event of an escalation and make European defence a reality. It’s the only way to have a say in this geopolitical area.