Speeches

Madam President, thank you very much. High road safety is important and it is good that driving licences are harmonised in the EU. But we moderates will not accept that the EU makes it more difficult for so-called A-tractors, also known as EPA tractors. I regret that no more Swedish colleagues are here in this House today when we are debating this. But I would urge you to vote in favour of what we moderates have now gathered our EPP group behind. That is, the age limit for EPA tractors should not be changed. Now make sure, when we vote, to stand up for Swedish young people's opportunity to run the EPA, and not unnecessary detailed regulation from EU bureaucrats.

Madam President, thank you very much. In Sweden, we see how organised crime and gang wars are plaguing our entire society. Last year, 53 people were killed. We had 363 shootings. The Swedish government has now launched a very important and welcome offensive against the gangs. Crime is cross-border. Seven out of ten criminal networks are active in more than three countries simultaneously. I therefore welcome the fact that the Belgian Presidency has identified the fight against organised crime as one of its top priorities. I am absolutely convinced that more needs to be done. In the next mandate, a whole new deal is needed for safety and security in Europe: a more operational European police force, that we pick up the assets of criminals and that we strengthen border controls so that weapons and drugs cannot flow freely into Europe.

Mr President, thank you very much. The day before yesterday, we were reached by the news that terror had once again struck in Brussels. Swedes were selected as terrorist targets and shot to death. We also saw the utter ruthlessness of Islamist terrorism on 7 October when Hamas attacked Israel in barbarism. It's an evil hard to take in. Israel has the right to defend itself. The Socialist Party is talking about peace. Yes, we want peace. Choose to stand up for the Middle East's only democracy in its defense against the terrorist organization Hamas. Then choose to stand up because right now we have 200 Israelis who have been kidnapped: children, women, men who are in Gaza. They are the ones who need the support of the European Parliament today.

Mr President, thank you very much. Yesterday, terror struck again with full force. Swedes were selected in an Islamist terrorist attack. Sweden, Belgium and Europe now need to increase security to increase security. But what also terrorises European citizens is organised crime. In Sweden today we live with shootings, explosions, children who shoot children, innocent people who are affected. But gang crime is everywhere. The criminal networks, 70% of the criminal networks, operate in at least three Member States at the same time. Commissioner Schinas, do we not need a more powerful Europol? Do we not need a Europol that is more operational in order to stop drugs and weapons from entering Europe and that really makes sure that we hunt down the criminals so that they do not have power over our societies?

President, colleagues! I will speak in Swedish, with a heavy heart. Vi kommer aldrig glömma det som hände i Bryssel igår. Svenskar som väljs ut som terrormål bara på grund av att de är svenskar. Mina tankar idag är med dem som har dödats och skadats och deras familjer. Detta är en attack mot Sverige, Belgien och Europa. Det är ett fegt försök att ge sig på vårt fria och öppna samhälle, men vi kommer aldrig att ge efter för islamistisk terror. Ni kommer aldrig att lyckas. Tvärtom ska vi ännu starkare stå upp för frihet, demokrati och våra värderingar. Stort tack till belgisk polis för ert arbete. Jag älskar Sverige! Jag älskar Europa! Kollegor, idag och framåt behöver vi ert stöd.

Mr President, Europe has faced migration crisis after migration crisis. The situation in Lampedusa shows this again. Colleagues, we really are at a crossroad now. Either we continue down this road where Member States act independently and we try to meet the situation with ad hoc solutions or we build common European solutions and actions where we can have control of the borders, where we can make a bigger difference between people who have the right to protection in Europe and irregular migrants and where we work with cooperation in Europe and with third countries. We cannot have this situation where only a few Member States shall bear the big responsibility of the migration policy. I really would like to urge colleagues; we have an opportunity to really do something. Of course, I put my trust in the centre-right, but I would also like to acknowledge that parts of the ECR Group also voted in favour of going into negotiations. I welcome that because I really think that we need to make sure that we have a broad support for the new migration policy. With the migration pact hopefully adopted, of course, we also need to do more about the smugglers. We cannot have a situation where it is smugglers who actually decide who has the right to enter European territory. In my book, you need cooperation with third countries. Of course, it is not easy with Tunisia; of course, it is not even easy with Turkey. But what is the alternative? The EPP Group is here to deliver, to again build trust amongst our citizens and make sure that we have a European migration policy that actually works.

Madam President, thank you very much. On 24 February 2022, we were all greeted by the news that Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has been and continues to be brutal. Women, men and children lose their lives and families break up in the wake of war. The EU has imposed sanctions, delivered ammunition, medical supplies and financial means to Ukraine. We have managed to transform large parts of our trade chains in order not to support the Russian war fund. It has to go on. We are now taking another important step with Edirpa. Joint procurement of defence equipment will create better conditions for the European defence industry and for our ability to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs. We also need to review our own stocks and increase production in Europe. In fact, it makes me proud that the European Union is tirelessly standing up for Ukraine, for democracy and for freedom. But we all know that there is only one solution, and that is that Russia must leave Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!

Madam President, let me start as chair of the Development Committee to thank our co-rapporteurs for a work well done. And also point out that we are halfway to 2030 and we are seriously off track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This is extremely concerning. In my view, I think it is crucial that the European Union now works together, especially with developing countries, our partner countries, to get back on track. I would like to highlight three points to consider. Firstly, we need to improve the effectiveness and maximise the impact of our development cooperation. And secondly, we need to recognise that the private sector will play a critical role in achieving the SDGs. In this regard, the Global Gateway Initiative is a step in the right direction. And thirdly, and lastly, we need to strengthen partnership for the goals. The EU is uniquely placed to do this, given its proven record as a champion of multilateralism. Thereby, we also protect and strengthen the reputation as a credible and reliable partner, which is of crucial importance in the current year political context. I hope that plenary will approve this important report because we need to step up our game.

Mr President, Vice-President, Minister, Europe needs migration policy that works, where we have control of the external border, where we can reduce irregular migration, where we can cooperate more with third countries, but also where we cooperate more within the European Union. Only then can we also manage to provide protection to those in need. We need to move away from the order where only a few Member States have to bear the entire burden. President, we now have a strong majority in this House to move forward with negotiations on the migration pact. And thanks to the leadership of the Swedish presidency, we now also have a strong majority in the Council to move forward. This is historic. It is an historic opportunity, finally, for Europe to create an achieve a migration policy that could work. And I want to be clear from the European Parliament that for us, the adoption of the whole migration pact is crucial. Every part of this legislation is needed. And I also want to be clear from the EPP Group to all citizens and to all our colleagues in this House, we will be constructive, because there is no time to lose to achieve this. And I also want to be clear to the Council that we will also be constructive with you, because we finally now see an achievement and an historic opportunity and we will not waste it. Europe needs a migration policy that works.

Madam President, colleagues, Europe has faced migration crisis after migration crisis, and after years of political deadlock we now have a historic possibility to move forward. Most of us understand that if we have a common border, we also need more common migration policy. We need to build trust between the Member States and also among citizens in Europe. I would like to thank the Shadows for what we have achieved, and I would like to urge all colleagues from all political groups – also within ECR and ID – to support this mandate so we can send a strong signal to the Council that we are ready.

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, the extreme anti-LGBTI legislation adopted by the Parliament of Uganda is unacceptable. It is horrible, and the European Union must do more than simply express its deep concern and condemn these types of laws. For Uganda in particular, we need to be ready to take concrete action if the law is signed into force. I have three concrete questions for the Commission from the EPP Group: firstly, will the Commission make further development aid conditional upon Uganda upholding fundamental freedom and human rights? Secondly, is the Commission considering imposing any other measures if the anti—LGBTI legislation is signed into force? And thirdly, what measures is the Commission taking through its development cooperation to better protect LGBTI people and decriminalise homosexuality around the globe? You need to make it absolutely clear that the European Union will never, never accept anti—LGBTI legislation, or any type of legislation that violates human rights and fundamental freedoms for that matter. Let there be no doubt: action must have consequences.

Madam President, the pandemic has shown the critical need to strengthen our global health architecture. The adoption of the EU global health strategy is an important step forward in this regard, and I as DEVE Chair strongly welcome it. There are, however, three crucial points to consider in order to ensure effective implementation of the strategy. Firstly, the EU needs to take the lead in strengthening international cooperation in health and ensure that the issue remains at the top of the international agenda. Secondly, it is crucial that the European Union effectively supports partner countries in strengthening their own health systems. We should pay particular attention to this in the mid-term review on the NDICI Global Europe Instrument. And thirdly, we will need more effective funding and sustainable investments in health infrastructure, both from public and private sector. The rapid rollout of the Global Gateway Initiative is crucial in this regard. I welcome the ambition of the Swedish Presidency to adopt Council conclusions on the strategy. This will take us one step closer to making this strategy a reality, which is in the interest of the citizen and the world as a whole.

Mr President, thank you very much. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have been told in black and white that energy policy no longer exists in a vacuum, that energy policy decisions taken at national and Union level also matter a lot for our security, our growth, our competitiveness and our standard of living. Energy storage will be an important part of the work to enable us to benefit from all the benefits of the expansion of renewable energy sources in the future. We need to be able to meet our energy needs even when the sun is not shining and the wind has slowed down. We therefore need to enable further technological developments in batteries and smart systems, and we need to ensure that the price of electricity is lowered for all citizens. Let's be clear: This will be the crucial issue in the near future. I cannot therefore stand in this pulpit and talk about energy policy without mentioning the betrayal of European consumers that took place this weekend. Germany has shut down its last nuclear reactors. This is nothing more than a disaster. Instead of fossil-free cheap energy, Germany is now increasing its emissions and risks pushing up prices again. This is a historic mistake – Europe needs more nuclear power, not less.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, Minister! Criminal networks and organised crime are present and active in several Member States simultaneously across Europe. This threatens people's safety. Europol now points out that organised crime has never posed as great a threat to people's security as it does now. Unfortunately, in Sweden we know this very well. We're in big trouble. We now have a new, moderate-led government that completely rethinks our criminal policy. We have a Swedish Presidency that is now finally prioritising these issues. However, on behalf of the EPP Group, I would like to say to both the Swedish Presidency and the Commission: All the measures and initiatives now under discussion are good and welcome, but more will have to be done. We need to strengthen Europol. We need to make Europol more operational. We must confiscate the assets of criminals. We must more effectively stop the smuggling of weapons and drugs into our Union. We need to control our external borders. If we do this and continue to take initiatives, then we can once again make both Sweden and Europe safer.

Madam President, thank you very much. We are at a crossroads now. Either we continue with the policy of people dying in the Mediterranean, that we see very many people coming to Europe without grounds for asylum, where we see that there will be a few Member States that bear the great responsibility. Or we choose a path where we realise that we have more of a common European migration policy. I am absolutely convinced that here in the European Parliament, but also in the Council, we can come together around a policy of controlling our external borders. That we ensure that people who have grounds for asylum receive protection in Europe. But people who do not have grounds for asylum also need to leave. And that we need to work with third countries to make this policy work. This is an opportunity that lies ahead of us now. For seven years, the European Parliament has been calling for the changes that are now needed. Now we are on our way back into the crisis that we had last 2016. It no longer works to believe that national policies can solve this. We are part of a common Union and have common borders. Now is the time to adopt the Pact on Migration and ensure that we can start trialogue negotiations.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, Minister, ladies and gentlemen. The U.S. is now introducing massive subsidies aimed at U.S. industry. This also highlights the problems we have with Europe's competitiveness. But in its eagerness to appear decisive, the European Commission seems to have forgotten what once made Europe an attractive continent for entrepreneurship and trade. It is not tariffs and trade barriers, it is not new funds or more grants that have built Europe strong. What is needed now is a real agenda for Europe's competitiveness, to build it strong in the long term. It requires more free trade, more investment in research and less bureaucracy. We need to develop the internal market and not dismantle it. Ultimately, growth is not created by politicians but by successful people and companies. Give them the opportunity to operate, trade and compete. We can build Europe strong again.

Mr President, I listen to colleagues that rightfully point out that it is terrible that people are dying in the Mediterranean Sea. But they are not willing to do anything to go after the smugglers. They say completely no, that we should work with third countries and try to have cooperation. I also listen to some colleagues that say migration is a huge problem for Europe, but they are not interested at all at delivering any European solutions. But I must say that I think it is possible to build a political majority in this House and also in the Council that could agree that we need to have control of the borders; that we need to decrease irregular migration; that we need to increase returns; and yes, also, that we need to offer protection to people in Europe that have the right to asylum; and that we need a stronger solidarity between the Member States. This is possible to do. I wish the Council good luck on your next meeting. The most important thing you can do is to get ready for trilogues because it is time to deliver.

Mr President, Global Gateway is important and much needed, but it’s also very clear that we still have some important questions to ask about the rollout of the strategy. As I see it, the success of Global Gateway will depend on three things. Firstly, the European Union and its Member States have to actually leverage the financing that has been promised. This cannot just be a rebranding or a marketing exercise. Our partner countries need these investments for their development needs. But at the same time, the European Union needs it too, so that we can better position ourselves geopolitically in a very competitive world. Secondly, we have to ensure that the projects maximise the development impact in our partner countries. The Commission has many times highlighted the positive offer that these deliver also for the local communities, and I agree. But to deliver on this promise, our investments must focus on projects and areas of mutual interest and with real country ownership. In doing so, we will also position ourselves as a viable alternative to countries like China. Thirdly, we have to be able to effectively communicate Global Gateway. Again, not as a branding or marketing exercise, but in order to explain – also to our partner countries and potential investors – the real added value of this initiative. Since its launch, the Parliament has been a supporter of this ambitious initiative. However, now it’s time to deliver. I would say that action now speaks louder than words.

Madam President, thank you very much. Vice President, Prime Minister! The Conservatives have been a driving force for Europe for over 60 years. And we were, as the Prime Minister said, involved in bringing Sweden into the European Union. The fact that we now have a moderate-led government that also leads the Swedish Presidency means a lot. It will mean stronger and increased support for Ukraine, a full focus on EU competitiveness, delivering the last of the Fit for 55 climate package, and defending the rule of law across the EU. But also that we can finally move from lockdowns to the creation of a common, functioning and sustainable European migration policy. I would like to make it clear that the European Parliament has high expectations for the Swedish Presidency – so that you can ensure that the Council now also moves forward. The EU shares a common external border, and the vast majority recognise that we need to work together if we are to be able to control immigration, if we want to reduce irregular migration, but also to provide protection to those who need it. There are no easy negotiations ahead, but we now have a unique opportunity to take responsibility as well. We must move away from a situation where people die in the Mediterranean, where a few Member States bear the heavy responsibility, where it is smugglers who decide how many people come to Europe and where we see distrust between Member States and from citizens. So let us take the Swedish Presidency and move from words to deeds. Best of luck!

Mr President, Commissioner, it is crucial that we improve the impact of European development finance. To do this, we first have to increase our efforts for better coordination and cooperation between European development finance institutions, reduce red tape and make the system more effective and focused on ensuring optimal use for our limited resources. Secondly, we need a powerful policy direction to ensure that the activities of other development finance institutions are aligned with our values and also our strategic interests. Finally, we have to also scale up private—sector mobilisation for sustainable development, including support to micro—, small and medium enterprises in partner countries to enable growth. I therefore very much welcome this report, and I would like to thank our rapporteur and all the DEVE colleagues that have been working on this.

Mr President, Commission and the Council, Europe is at a crossroads. Either Member States continue to act more and more independently when it comes to migration or we find a common European approach. That is basically the choice that we have to make. And for me, it is clear that, yes, we need a system that provides control of the external borders. Yes, we need a system that will provide protection to refugees and, yes, that is firm to those who are not. That is why we urgently need the migration pact. And the EPP Group is committed to having the pact in place before the end of this mandate. And this is possible, but it will require pragmatism and constructiveness from all of us. We must also do more to address the root causes and the drivers of migration. For this reason, we must deepen our cooperation also with third countries. The events of last week have highlighted the urgency of a predictable, operational and truly common approach to asylum and migration. This House has been waiting for the Council to get ready. The Council is finally now actually coming more and more together. It is time also for this House to make sure that we now come together and take this opportunity, because we have a choice to make and that is to have a European approach to migration.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, Minister! Independent courts, freedom of the press, women’s rights – all these are part of the core values to be defended across Europe. We're in trouble. We see that we have big challenges in Hungary, we see it in Poland, we see it in Malta. We have problems that we need to deal with. Europe's social democrats are now trying to argue that Sweden is a major problem. They are attacking Sweden and the new government. But, colleagues, there is zero substance to this. In the government declaration presented in Sweden, independent courts will be strengthened. Women's rights should be strengthened. Independent media should be strengthened. Of course! Certainly in Sweden. But we will also have a government that will deal with the social problems we have around crime, that will ensure that we get an energy policy and that will ensure that we reduce exclusion. I would particularly like to address my Swedish colleagues in this House. Sweden has a presidency that will soon begin, on 1 January. Now it is very important that we come together, because Europe is facing great challenges. It is time for you to accept this election loss. Democracy is not equal to a vote for the Social Democrats, the Left or the Greens. It's time to show some responsibility. We should criticize where we see problems and where governments act wrongly. But now trying to put labels that lack all substance on this government, it's actually not honorable.

Mr President, Minister, Commissioner, and not least Pakistan Ambassador Khan, the heavy monsoon rains have triggered the most severe flooding in Pakistan’s recent history, washing away lives and livelihoods and causing unprecedented damage to the infrastructure. The destruction could set the country back many years. Pakistan is an important partner to the European Union, and we must support them. Firstly, to meet the enormous needs, we must work together with the international community to come forward with new aid and ensure an immense humanitarian response. Secondly, we need to commit to long-term support and increase the impact of our development assistance in Pakistan to speed up the colossal reconstruction that lies ahead. Thirdly, we need to work together to tackle the climate change challenge and support Pakistan in creating climate resilient infrastructure to prevent future disasters. This should be a global effort, but it is clear that the European Union needs to take the lead. I know that many of my colleagues are at group meetings now, but I must be very clear: there is a broad support from the European Parliament and we will be there for Pakistan.

Madam President, thank you very much. Madam Commissioner, Minister, I would like to thank you very much. Energy prices are rising in Sweden and throughout Europe. We must act here and now. The proposals that the Commission is now putting on the table must be put in place quickly. However, I would also like to address all the Member States and colleagues in this House and say the following: Less nuclear power or the abandonment of nuclear power is not the way forward. Of course, we must rapidly expand renewables, but now put an end to your opposition to nuclear power. Nuclear power will be needed to achieve our climate goals, to move away from our dependence on gas and to ensure a stable energy supply in Europe. Many people are looking at this debate and now want to see that we are also opening up to nuclear power.

Mr President, as Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development, let me be clear. The recent decision by the Council to extend the Cotonou Agreement until next year and the repeated failure to sign the modernised partnership agreement with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States is very disappointing. Parliament’s view is that this modernised agreement has the potential to enhance our political partnership since it covers crucial issues such as climate change, migration, and peace and security. It is clear that we do need to tackle these major challenges together. Today’s increasingly unstable and unpredictable geopolitical landscape makes it even more important for us to enhance cooperation with our partner countries. Therefore, I once again call on the Council to overcome any remaining divisions internally. I do know that there is one country that is the problem. I don’t have to mention them but they have had elections now, so hopefully, hopefully, we can now come to that we can have this agreement signed and then Parliament will be ready to give its consent.