Debate contributions by Tomas TOBÉ

Mr President, I would like to thank you. Colleagues. Tomorrow at 12:00 the whole of Sweden will gather for a minute's silence. We are still a country in mourning after ten people were brutally murdered in the worst mass shooting in Swedish history – in premises where they only came to learn Swedish or to educate themselves in order to contribute to our society. The testimonies from Örebro are difficult, impossible, to take in. But the sea of lights and flowers outside the school is nice to take in. It tells of course about great sadness and loss, but also about the humanity and empathy that exists in our fine Sweden. Colleagues, thank you for honouring the victims and for the support you have shown Sweden. Together we grieve and together we will get through the darkness.

Madam President, Commissioner, Prime Minister Tusk, thank you for bringing Poland back to Europe. At this crucial time we welcome your strong leadership and your Presidency of the Council. The EPP, and also my home country, Sweden, fully supports your priority to make Europe more safe and secure, to strengthen our defence and support Ukraine. And you are right that we need to take back control of our borders, and on migration. Europe is strong, but we need to get to work to make Europe more competitive, now and for future generations. Prime Minister, you can count on MPs' support to deliver on this.

Mr President, Commissioner, when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, there was hope for millions of people who had suffered for decades under communist dictatorship and oppression. We were right to be hopeful. Just look at the Baltic states: prosperous democracies, and a proud part of the European family today. However, as we all know, freedom is not yet won everywhere. Therefore, we must stand with the people of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and, of course, Belarus, in their pursuit of democracy. Not in this fake election, but one day Lukashenka's regime will answer for its crime. I will continue to hope until the white, red and white flag once again flies over Minsk.

Madam President, Commissioner, the EPP welcomes that migration remains at the top of the agenda of the European Council, because the citizens of Europe rightfully also expect that we take back control of migration. The October conclusions show a clear political will among the Member States, and let me be clear – the EPP Group stands ready to push it forward in the European Parliament. We need a full implementation of the migration pact, no exceptions. We need to reinforce our external borders, increase cooperation with third countries and speed up the return of irregular migration. The EPP also welcomes that the Commission recently decided to step up support for Member States to counter the weaponisation of migration by Russia and Belarus. This is key to also strengthen our security at the external borders. The next crucial step should now be to deliver a new proposal on return. This is actually a matter of urgency and we need a full regulation, not a weak directive. And we need also to make progress on different ways to counter illegal migration with more and new solutions outside of Europe, for example, with return hubs. This is a matter of urgency and we need to deliver to our citizens. Let us do this together.

Mr President, Commissioner, the European Union is actually facing what I would call an epidemic of cross-border organised crime and this is a serious threat to our internal security. Our top priority from this House must be to completely break down the criminal networks and make Europe safe and secure. The targeted recruitment of minors that are used very tactic by the criminal gangs across Europe, is now also concluded by Europol that minors are involved in more than 70 % of the existing criminal markets. In my home country, Sweden, it has been reported that we have over 200 children under 18 years old that are suspects in murder investigations. And this is a problem that is not only solely in Sweden. We see this in many, many Member States now and that is why we also need to make sure that we have a strong European response. Firstly, we need more cross-border police cooperation and a truly operational Europol. We see that when we do things together, we can actually be successful. Just before a couple of weeks, we had an operation coordinated by Europol, but with Spanish, Swedish and Danish police and that led to the arrest of gang members, specifically on the accusation of recruiting minors abroad. Secondly, we also need to combat the recruitment of minors by criminal networks on social media platforms, and lastly, we also need to work, of course, with crime prevention efforts because that is what is really going to make a result in the long term. So I very much welcome that we can have this debate today, because we need to go beyond the nice words and actually go into action and stop the criminal gangs.

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your More than five months after the European elections, a new Commission needs to be put in place. Europe needs to be led. Now is not the time for poster politics, it is actually time to start working. But obviously the outer edges to the right or to the left of this house don't want that. It's more important to pose and obstruct instead of actually getting something done. We Conservatives and the EPP will now focus on delivering, taking back control of immigration, strengthening our competitiveness and fighting organised crime with full force. We need to strengthen our security in Europe and our defence capabilities, and we should not give in to our support for Ukraine. We need a stronger Europe in a troubled world. That is why I will be voting in favour of this Commission.

Madam President, Mr Niinistö! Three young men were arrested last month after a blast near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen. We have had a shooting at the Israeli embassy in Stockholm. Since then, we have received information that the attacks were carried out by gang criminals on behalf of the regime in Iran. The Swedish security police confirmed earlier this year that hostile states are using criminal gangs to carry out explosions and other acts of violence in Europe. For the EPP Group, the security of citizens is the major freedom issue of our time. Mr Niinistö, as your report makes clear, safety is the foundation on which everything else is based. As we now see how hostile states use proxies to carry out attacks, we must do more to strengthen our resilience. Strengthen and expand Europol, suspend the free movement of gang criminals and strengthen the control of the EU's external border. We must immediately and forcefully put a stop to gangs not being used as agents for states that want us badly. I hope we can agree on that.

Mr President, Vice‑President Schinas, in Europe and beyond, Jews are living in fear again. The horrific antisemitic attack in Amsterdam reminds us of our darkest chapter in our history. We have to be clear: this was not a clash between football hooligans, as some might say. These were anti-Jewish and anti-Israel attacks, and there is no excuse, absolutely no excuse that can justify this type of hate and violence. This is not an isolated incident. We see daily the despicable calls for violence against Jews across Europe and in the world. Only a few days after the attacks in Amsterdam, police in Antwerp stopped another violent attack against Jewish people. Antisemitism does not have any place in our society and the EPP group is clear. We have to push back against the rise of antisemitism. We have to call it out. There cannot be any doubt. We must condemn any kind of hate or violence towards the Jewish people and we have responsibility. Never again is now.

Madam President, Commissioner, the EPP Group strongly welcomes the clear and coherent position that was taken by the Commission President and the European Council last week. We need to take back control of migration. We have common borders and therefore we need a common European response. With the adoption of the migration pact, we took the first major step that we, and not the criminal smugglers, should decide who can enter Europe. However, it was always very clear to us that more would be needed to secure our borders and increase returns of those who do not have the right to be in Europe. The EPP want to be very clear with what we expect: a speedy and full implementation of the migration pact; a new proposal on returns presented within the first 100 days of the next Commission; increased cooperation with third countries, who should also explore new solutions like return hubs outside of Europe. We need a stronger Frontex, and on the instrumentalisation of migrants that we see from Russia and Belarus, we need a full stop. The EPP will continue to lead the way forward, together with responsible political groups of this House. I can see that parts of the left and parts of the far right are united in their resistance to a common European policy. But EPP stands ready, together with the Commission and the Member States, to deliver.

Madam President, I think it is clear and already stated that this request should not be supported. It's very clear. It's not about a protocol about Italy and Albania, as you say in what you're asking for. Also, it's not even a final decision in the court, and it's also a decision based on an EU directive that actually will be replaced once the new migration pact is fully adopted. I think it's also about the general question, because we had a request in plenary before, from the Patriots, about another decision. We could, of course, make this Chamber nothing else than debating different court decisions. I think when it comes to migration policy, we should be serious, we should be balanced, and we should use our time to actually debate real things and not only try to make court decisions that you may like or not like to be in favour of them. So that is why the EPP will reject this request.

Mr President, Vice‑President Schinas, colleagues, let me start by reminding you that we had a debate in this plenary on Monday evening about internal border controls and the state of Schengen. Now we're about to discuss the external borders. For me, it is clear that these issues are connected. Yes, the European Union is about free movement. For this to be possible, we must regain control of our external border with an expansion of Frontex, more cooperation with third countries, full implementation of the Migration Pact and EU funding for border infrastructure. I would like to use my time actually to address some of the colleagues in this House. Let me start with the colleagues on the left. I very often hear you talk about the right to asylum, but at the same time you are delaying efforts to differentiate people with grounds for asylum from those who have not. I hear you talking about abolishing internal border controls, but at the same time, whenever the EPP suggests that we need to take back control of our external borders, you are against this. To some of the colleagues on the populist far right side, you very often talk about how we need to stop illegal migration, but you also say no to EU cooperation on migration. Your aversion to the European Union trumps your desire to control migration with common measures. For the EPP, it is clear that the European Union must take control of our external border jointly. We need a bigger and stronger Frontex, and this cannot be guided by either 'abolish borders' fantasies or the fact that we cannot work together. We need to work together to have a strong Europe and a safe Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, Prime Minister, the presidency of the Council comes with both great opportunity and great responsibility. Prime Minister, you say that you want to discuss the political priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. For example, you say that you want to reinforce European defence, you want to regain control of the external border. I welcome these priorities. The problem is that you and your government act in the opposite way. Instead of focusing on strengthening the defence of Europe, you went to Moscow to shake hands with Putin, the man who wants nothing else than to destroy Europe. He is the man who has launched a war of aggression against your own neighbour, Ukraine. Instead of ensuring a strong external border and increasing the internal security of the Schengen Area, your government have decided to make it easier for potential Russian spies and saboteurs to access the Union. That is the truth of what is happening. We have no problem to discuss your priorities, but I would argue that the citizens of Hungary and Europe deserve better. Trust me: change is coming, also to Hungary with the Tisza Party. Get ready.

Madam President, Commissioner, the protection of Schengen and our external borders is a top priority for the EPP Group. It is key to ensure freedom, prosperity and security for our citizens. Schengen is crucial for the functioning of the single market, and it brings major benefits for our people and economy. But this only works if we have proper control over our external borders. The recent developments in Germany have put a spotlight on this issue, with the terrible attack in Solingen highlighting the need for decisive and effective action against irregular migration. For the EPP, this means concrete measures. Firstly, to ensure swift and full implementation of the migration pact in order to take back control and reduce migration pressure towards the European Union. Secondly, to adopt new measures to increase returns of illegal migrants, because if you don't have the right to be in Europe, you should not be in Europe. Thirdly, we also need to strengthen Frontex to ensure better protection of the external border. And we count on all constructive, pro-European forces in this House. We have had good cooperation with the current Commissioner. We have tried to work with political groups in this House. Because I want to be very clear: if we don't have effective border protections, Member States cannot exclude controls at internal borders. And I'm talking about S&D governments and EPP governments. This is what it will take to truly protect Schengen, and make Europe safe and thriving again.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Court ruling came just a couple of days ago, on Friday. I think it is too early to have a proper plenary debate. The EPP will instead ask for a proper assessment in the relevant committee –the LIBE Committee. The judgment of the Court could have quite an impact, but it's yet too early to foresee and I don't think we should draw any far-reaching conclusions already now. So I think we will reject it from the EPP today and we will wait for the assessment in the LIBE Committee. That's our proposal.

Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, Russia and Belarus pose a serious threat to our European security. They are hostile state actors responsible for countless hybrid attacks, and the only aim is to destabilise and undermine the security of Europe. And of course, we have the awful and horrific war of aggression against Ukraine from Russia. Against this background, it is deeply concerning and unacceptable that the Hungarian Government has decided to extend the national card scheme to Russian and Belarusian citizens. I must say that it fits very well into the patterns that we have seen from the Hungarian Government. Even the former Trump administration limited their visa-waiver programme due to security reasons against Hungary. That says a lot, I would say. In the presidency from the Hungarian Government, it is made clear that the objective is to strengthen the security of the European Union and the citizens. And I must say I support that. But that must also lead that you actually act in that way. And I think it is clear for the Hungarian citizens' security, for Europeans' security, that we make sure that we defend our interests, not the interests of Russia.

Madam President, Commission, colleagues, organised crime is a major threat to the internal security of the European Union. In fact, Europol has underlined that it has never posed such a threat to our citizens and societies as it does today. More than 70 % of the criminal networks are active in more than three Member States at the same time. In my home country, the police have just identified around 600, 600!, gang criminals that are engaged in organised crime from other Member States. This epidemic of cross-border organised crime requires a European response, and this is exactly what the EPP Group is calling for. Concretely, we have to strengthen Europol's mandate and make it a truly operational police agency. This requires us to provide the agency with the necessary tools and resources to crack down on criminal networks. We also have to enhance the capabilities of Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor's Office to dismantle criminal networks. Criminals need to be brought to justice. Furthermore, a crucial measure to combat organised crime is to disrupt the business models of criminal networks. This will require a 'follow the money approach', to freeze and confiscate assets and target the leaderships of such networks. We have to ensure that crime never pays. The political guidelines for the next Commission are very clear in this regard, and this is exactly what the EPP Group has been calling for. Widespread organised crime damages citizens trust in public institutions. It hinders honest people's everyday life. It is a threat to our business and to our European economy as a whole. The top priority for this coming Commission will have to be to deliver on these promises. We have to make sure that Europe is safe and that citizens can trust that we do all we can to make sure that crime never pays, and criminals should be where they belong ‑ in jail.

(Start of speech off mic) ... prevent security threats across Europe, like the terrible attack in Solingen, where three people were killed and several were injured. It is crucial that we re-establish control over our common external borders and ensure effective return of illegal migrants. And let me be clear, from the EPP Group: if you don't have the right to be in Europe, you should not be in Europe. The adoption of the migration pact is a crucial step forward towards a more controlled migration policy. Our focus now is to ensure a swift and full implementation of all parts of the pact. However, this will not be enough. The horrific attack in Solingen has again put the spotlight on the need for an effective return policy. The EPP Group, therefore, fully supports the clear commitments in the political guidelines for the next Commission to put forward a new common approach on returns, to speed up and simplify the process, and the Commission needs to move quickly and present this proposal. We have to deliver on this. Citizens in Europe should know that we do all we can to keep them safe, and the EPP is ready to do just that.

Madam President, colleagues, today is a choice between political stability or division. Between leadership or political chaos. Today, I’m urging all colleagues of this House to vote in favour of Madam von der Leyen as President of the Commission because, seriously, we face grave challenges ahead. There is a war on our continent. There are great uncertainties about the possibility of a new administration in the US, and at home we still have to face issues such as migration, climate and competitiveness. To overcome these challenges, we need political stability. Any other outcome of the vote today would mean the opposite. It would be a gift for Putin and for Orbán. We cannot waste any time. We have to get to work. From the EPP Group, I would especially like to highlight that we are pleased to see that we will finally deliver on a common European response in the fight against organised crime. This must be a top priority in the coming five years. Most importantly, we have to continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, and on that I know that Ukraine, Sweden and the EPP know that we can count on you, Ursula.