Debate contributions by Robert BIEDROŃ

Madam President, Madam Commissioner, the Russian invasion of Ukraine had an unintended consequence: it turned the Arctic region, which for decades has served as an area for peaceful cooperation, into yet another area of geopolitical competition. The European Parliament recognises this shift by making several important recommendations on how to increase Europe's security. We need to invest in our capabilities in the Arctic – including underwater drones and sea-floor mapping – in order to detect potential military activity. But Russia is not the only threat in the Arctic: so is climate change. The Arctic is one of the fastest-growing warming regions in the world, and what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. Improving Europe's military capabilities and implementing ambitious climate policies go hand in hand. Only a comprehensive approach can give us a chance for a safer future for all Europeans.

Madam President, I'm sorry. These words must be resounding from the European Parliament today: Lukashenko is a dictator, usurper, Putin's footstool, and his place is not in Minsk, but in The Hague before the International Criminal Court. The second thing is extremely important: We have been, are and will always be on the side of the Belarusian people. The Belarusian people, who 5 years ago exceptionally proved their dream of an independent, free Belarus. They paid the price for it. Half a million Belarusians had to flee Belarus. In total, more than 60,000 people have been imprisoned since 2020. One such person is Ales Bialiatski, not yet mentioned today, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who must work six days a week in a camp in a penal colony. His health is deteriorating every day. We must do everything to ensure that everyone imprisoned by the Lukashenka regime is finally and finally free. Žyvie Bielaruś!

Madam President, the message from this House must be clear: Russia will pay for the destruction of Ukraine. Law experts have confirmed that the confiscation of the frozen assets from Russia would be legal. But the reparations loan proposed by the Commission is the second best option. Either way, one thing must be clear: those who violate international law, commit war crimes and destroy civilian infrastructure must bear the consequences of their actions. Of course, we have to guarantee that Ukraine continues to have the right military equipment, opposite to the friends of Putin from the right part of this Parliament. But we also cannot forget about the reconstruction of Ukraine, which is estimated to cost around USD 1 trillion. This reparations loan would be an opportunity to lay the foundation for a more inclusive and resilient society. Imagine Ukrainians going to a newly built or reconstructed school or a hospital, and seeing a sign that says 'financed from Russian funds thanks to the European Union'. This is how Europe should act.

Mr President, High Representative, when the Colombian peace agreement was signed in 2016, it brought an end to half a century of terrible violence and destruction. It was a remarkable achievement. The situation ahead of the upcoming presidential elections is already very tense and polarised. What this House should do is to offer our condolences to the families of murdered Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay and other victims of violence. But what we need to do also is to support the Colombian authorities in their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, fight against criminal organisations and to build a real, sustainable and just peace. The EU has to play a constructive role in Colombia, and I want to thank the High Representative for her words on that. The people of Colombia should not be paying the price for this Parliament's political tricky games on the situation in Colombia: what we should do is to focus on how to bring peace and stability instead of accusations and allegations, and I call on all my colleagues from different political groups to do so.

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, thank you very much, colleagues, for voting today my and Mr Farantouris' report on SDGs. We go with a strong mandate finally to the UN meeting in New York. But with five years remaining to implement the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, the world is on track to achieve only 17 % of the targets. We are falling short of trillions of dollars, euros, whatever. We are unfortunately losing a lot of opportunities, and as the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, the conference was not about money, it was about investing in the future we want to build together. He was right, because we know there is no plan B for SDGs. That's why we need to seize this opportunity and start implementing policies. I fully agree with Minister Bjerre: we have 'compass', we have 'pathway' and now we need 'delivery'. This essential for us. This is the obligation, because the promise of SDGs is that no one must be left behind, and we need to deliver.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Sustainable Development Goals is the only plan for the future of humanity, the future of our planet. It's the biggest project humanity has ever undertaken. Agreed by 193 countries, there is no Plan B. The European Union has to show its leadership on the global stage, and openly and vocally recommit to the SDGs. I would therefore urge all of you to vote in favour of this report. The European Parliament cannot afford to attend a second UN conference in a row without a political mandate. The credibility of this House is at stake, and the world will be watching whether the EU can still be considered a reliable partner. It's a great compromise. I want to thank all the shadow rapporteurs and, of course, my excellent co-rapporteur, Nikolas. Thank you very much.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ales Bialiatski, Maryia Kalesnikowa, Ihar Łosik, Viktor Babaryka, Andrzej Poczobut: These are just a few of the names on the list of more than 1,150 political prisoners that Lukashenko's brutal regime continues to illegally hold, locked up in inhumane conditions. A few kilometers from the border with the European Union, the Lukashenka regime still maintains Europe's last penal colonies, tortures people and rapes women in 2025. That is why we, as the European Union, cannot forget the most forgotten nation of Europe, as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says. We can't stand idly by. That is why I appeal to High Representative Kai Kallas, to all foreign ministers of the European Union countries: Let us stand in solidarity with Belarusians and Belarusians. Belarus is our neighbour. Belarus is part of Europe. As long as Belarus is not free, Europe will not be free. It's a live Belarus!

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. I wanted to say, first of all, listening to this debate, that I would not be here today if it were not for Radio Free Europe. I remember from my mother's story that when I was in the early '80s. Radio Free Europe was one of the few media we could listen to in Poland, free media, my mother learned about the nascent Solidarity movement – the largest movement in the history of people of good will who dreamed of living in a free country, in a free Poland. And these people, people of Solidarity, listening to Radio Europe, have led to the fact that today I live in a free Poland, that today Poland is part of the European Union and the Polish flag, like the flags of other countries whose societies listened to Radio Free Europe, can be in this room today. And that is also our duty. The European Union cannot leave Belarusians, Russians good or bad will dictators. Free media should also function in these countries, and it is our duty not only to finance them, but to support them from every possible position.

I would like to thank the Honourable Member for taking such an emotional approach to this matter and here he is telling us how to change it. Please join us. I think that here it is worthwhile that we all, beyond divisions, protect every citizen and every citizen. As far as EU law is concerned, it is worth noting that the European Court of Justice has ruled on this matter. The absence of such regulation is not only a violation of treaties, but also a violation of fundamental human rights. Therefore, Commissioner, I thank you for this initiative, which I understand Mr Rzońca will support.

Madam President, thank you very much. Valentine's Day tomorrow, February 14th. Unfortunately, not everyone in this Equality Union will be able to celebrate this holiday. We still have better and worse citizens in the European Union. We still have families in the European Union that do not have equal rights. We still have 2 million children in the European Union who are not protected. The European Certificate of Parenthood wants to change that, it's a good direction, and that's why I'm surprised, I'm really surprised, the right wing is so hateful about what you've always supported - protecting the family and protecting children. This is about the safety of the child. The point is that when his parents are in a situation that is not regulated by law, it would simply be the most normal child in the world to be safe. Nothing more and nothing less.

Madam President, the new Trump‑Musk administration is making things clear: this is a government by the oligarchs, for the oligarchs. Those disastrous decisions on climate, health and development aid will cause immense suffering for billions of people. But this is exactly the moment when the EU has the chance to step up on the global stage. Yes, it is our moral duty to defend our values, to act in line with the Treaties. But I hope that the Commission President, High Representative and Member States understand that it is also in our self-interest to show leadership on those issues – for a number of reasons. First, it is obviously an illusion that we can isolate ourselves from climate disasters, new diseases, and the consequences of humanitarian crises. Secondly, at a time when Europe's image has suffered in the countries of the Global South, this moment represents a unique opportunity to prove to our partners that we are their reliable allies.

I fully support your statement, but your colleague from Renew just proposed that there should be a referendum organised on abortion. I never found any referendum in our political culture, you come from Slovakia, I come from Poland. We never organised referendums on human rights, whether it's on abortion or death penalty. I fully agree with your group to put abortion in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. I want to know then, in your opinion, whether you support organising referendums on human rights or whether putting it as a right, which should be not questionable even in referendum?

Mr President, thank you very much. Madam President, thank you very much. Kesaria Abramidze was one of the first women in Georgia to openly talk about her transsexuality. Her struggle for equality was a daily effort. She believed that step by step she could build a better tomorrow. Unfortunately, tomorrow never came. Her life ended tragically, just a day after the Georgian parliament passed a law hitting the LGBT community. Her murder is, among other things, the result of policies that exclude and divide. Kremlin-style anti-LGBT laws aim to demonize those who are already marginalized. Let's be the voice of the marginalized. Let us fight against hatred, against discrimination, against injustice. Let us fight together with our Georgian brothers and sisters who are courageously protesting against Putin's anti-democratic law. In this House too, let us build a community open to all, so that Georgians know that their place is where their home is in a democratic Europe.