Speeches

Madam President, I'm sorry. Dear Prime Minister, Mr. High Representative, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, It's rehearsal time. It is a time of responsibility and solidarity for the whole European Union, for the whole civilised world. Today we stand against the invader, the aggressor. And we have to stop Putin. We must support Ukraine, because it is a matter of the future and security of all of us, of the whole of Europe. So it's time to stop giving flaming speeches and start acting concretely. And we must also talk about these specifics here, because this is also the time of responsibility of this House, of the European Parliament and of the European Commission. It cannot be, Ladies and Gentlemen, that in the most difficult times, Poland, which, like Estonia, helps Ukraine with all its strength, refugees, where every Polish family receives and extends a helping hand to Ukrainians who find a new home and safe shelter in Poland, is punished by this Chamber. And once again today there will be an attempt to make a resolution against Poland, an attempt to stop and stop the disbursement of funds to the Polish government. It can't be like that.

Mr President, thank you very much. Dear Commissioner, Listening to some of your statements, I have the impression that it has not yet reached many of you that we are at a completely different time today than before February 24. This is a time of war. There is a war on our continent, in Europe, and we need quick, decisive and, above all, effective decisions in this time when it comes to energy security. It is good that the Commission decided today to stop supplies of Russian gas, oil and fossil fuels to Europe. It is good that conclusions are drawn from mistakes made earlier, but we must be aware, Ladies and Gentlemen, that renewable energy sources, green energy, the Green Deal, the Fit for 55 project will not solve the problem of energy security. Today we are in a special time and special decisions are needed, i.e. a revision of the existing energy plans here in the European Union. For this time, wartime, we must reconsider our negative attitude, the European Union, towards fossil fuels, our European fuels, coal, our gas. You have to think about the atom. It is also a green energy source. This is the energy mix that will keep us safe. Fit for 55 will lead to even greater energy poverty for Europeans. We have to remember that.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, From the mouth of one of the MEPs (probably from the S&D group) there was a question: What is happening in Poland, what is Poland doing? Poland deals with what is most important for the people of Europe at the moment, security. And this security, also yours, is defended against Putin, who, among other things, here in this House, was allowed to implement NordStream 2, which was given energy security in Europe. It is worth reminding about this, because these are the real concerns of Europeans today. But since there is a debate about the ruling of the CJEU, it is worth recalling that the European Community, the European Union, was established as a community of free, independent, sovereign states that want to cooperate with each other on the basis of the treaties they have signed. And it is the democratically elected governments of these countries that have the mandate to decide on the future of Europe and what is happening in the European Union. The question to be asked today is: What does this CJEU ruling mean? In which direction is the European Union heading? Will sovereign Member States take decisions, or will EU bureaucrats take decisions, who, according to their own rules, want the Union to take shape?

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Russia is closer to the European Union than some politicians or even us here in this House sometimes seem to remember. And Putin is a more ruthless dictator than those who try to do business with him delude themselves. He uses his weaknesses, naivety and lack of courage in his relations with him. You can not have the illusions that, by allowing construction, e.g. Nord Stream 2 or by making Europe dependent on Russian gas, we will not suffer the consequences. Here is the moment coming. We must be united, united and unambiguous in our decisions. Today we must support Ukraine and we must also remember that the European Union's policy towards Russia must be firm and unambiguous. This is what Europe needs today, this is what Ukraine needs today.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Dear Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Europe faces many challenges. We are going through a lot of crises right now and certainly the French Presidency will not have an easy time, but we hope that, for the good of Europeans, we will be able to face all these crises. We should prioritise what is most important to us right now, what is most important. Mr President has presented a very ambitious programme of the Presidency, but I think we should first of all set out the most important points to which we will now refer in our debate and seek unity. Because Europe needs unity today, it needs stability and it needs good solutions, debate, not mutual accusations or attempts to discredit a country or a political group just because it has different views than all of us other than the majority in this room. It is time for unity in Europe – building unity among diversity is very difficult, but that is the value of Europe, which is what Europe is built on. There is nothing more important today than the energy crisis, the poverty of Europeans and the security of Europeans. These are real threats, as Europeans live in our countries today, and that is why we must first of all focus on these problems and help to solve them. And I believe that the French Presidency will go in this direction. But I must say one last thing about the rule of law. Because whenever you question the rule of law in Poland, I have to speak as a former prime minister who also had the opportunity to talk to President Macron about this issue. Poland is a country governed by the rule of law and the voice coming from Warsaw, Budapest has the same value and the same meaning as the voice coming from Paris, Berlin or other European capitals.

Mr President, thank you very much. In a few days we will be enjoying Christmas, we will be celebrating the birth of Christ, but for many Europeans this holiday is full of fears. They want to rejoice, they want to rejoice, they want to spend it with their families, but at the same time they are worried because Europe is going through a lot of crises right now. The one that has been talked about so much here, related to the pandemic, the one that is related to the threat to our border from the Belarusian regime and Putin, and finally the fact that Europe is very poor, Europeans are poor. The European economy is starting to have serious problems. And that is what I would like to focus on first. First of all, it is necessary to consider why this happens. You are talking about the need to accelerate these ambitious energy and climate targets. Yes, we emphasize this many times: climate must be defended, it must be saved, it must be changed in such a way as to give future generations a better life. But this must not come at the expense of Europeans. This cannot be done on the basis of the romantic notion that the Fit for 55 package will change everything for the better. No, he won't change it for the better. It will lead to even greater problems and impoverishment of Europeans. That is why, first of all, we need to focus on revising this idea. We need to consider whether these ideas, which are contained there, serve Europeans or are against them. Thank you very much. All the best for Christmas.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. The European Union has an ambitious climate policy, a ‘fit for 55’, and an increasing number of renewable energy sources. But it also has rising energy prices, increasing exclusion and energy poverty, and increasing dependence on imported energy sources. It also has empty gas storage facilities and more and more Europeans who cannot afford to pay such high energy bills. Why is this happening? Well, because it is finally time to reflect on whether the costs of transformation and the directions of transformation are right. Should it not be verified that the cost of this transformation is not too high. Because you can say this: there is not a word in this report about Nord Stream 2 and its impact on what is happening, for example, in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, about the problems that arise from it. Gazprom – one could say – rules Europe. Empty gas storage is the best proof of this. The report states that the Commission will monitor the situation in view of the approaching winter. I think that monitoring alone is not enough for those 31 million Europeans who are already suffering from energy poverty. Decisive action must finally be taken.

Mr President, thank you very much. The High Commission! Today there are three most serious crises, three most serious issues that need to be solved in the European Union. It is, of course, COVID, it is, of course, a hybrid war on the eastern border of the European Union. Finally, what President Michel said (for which I want to thank him, and this did not resonate in other statements): the energy crisis, the risk of poverty for individual countries of the European Union, but also, above all, for Europeans. That is why, in the face of such serious crises, talking about the rule of law or reducing hybrid warfare on the eastern border of the European Union to a humanitarian crisis is either an expression of misunderstanding or simply political obscenity, which some groups have long presented here. Today, Poland and the Baltic States defend the security and sovereignty of the European Union. We must thank all those who support us, but above all we must thank those soldiers, those officers who fight every day for the security of Europe and Europeans. Lukashenko, supported by Putin, declared a hybrid war on the European Union. You must be aware of this and this House must finally understand it in its entirety.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Before I discuss what will happen at the European Council, I will say two sentences referring to yesterday, since all of you here are devoting so much time to this. Please leave Poland alone, really, and do not spread lies and false information about what is happening in my homeland. If you have not been to Poland, please come. You will see what a beautiful, safe and, above all, democratically ruling country it is. And let's stop this nonsense, because instead of focusing on issues that matter to Europeans once again, another day you are debating about nothing. Meanwhile, there are really a lot of problems to be solved in Europe and Europeans have a right to expect that the European Parliament will finally deal with their affairs. One of these serious problems that needs to be addressed loudly is the energy crisis and what awaits all Europeans when they have to pay very high electricity and heating bills. And why did that happen? Among other things, because this European Parliament does not react to Gazprom's blackmail and agrees uncritically to what Gazprom is doing in Europe. Nord Stream 2 – after all, it was your decisions that caused us such a problem today.

Mr President, thank you very much. To begin with, before I begin my speech, I will say clearly and emphatically: not to push Poland out of the European Union. Poland is and will be in the European Union, because that is the decision and will of Poles. And it's time to put an end to the lies and false theses that you also put forward here today. Mr President, Madam President, Mr Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, five years ago I stood here in this House before the European Parliament as the Polish Prime Minister and explained that Poland is a country that loves freedom, solidarity, whose citizens are proud to be Poles, to be Europeans. I also said and said this today: I am Polish and I am European. I'm proud of it. I explained why our country, my homeland, which shed so much blood, whose citizens fought for the freedom of other nations, did not give up and strived to be here in this community. This was our dream, because we knew that only then would Poland be able to develop and that only then would Poland join the group of countries that, as we thought at that time, are primarily guided by the principles of the founding fathers of this community: sovereignty, freedom and equal treatment of and respect for everyone. And we still believe in these ideals and we still believe in such a European Union, which is why we want to talk with such concern about the need for change. What has changed over the years, ladies and gentlemen? Poland has changed a lot. We implement ambitious social and investment programs, we develop, we have some of the best economic results in Europe. What's changed here? It can be said that there is a strong conservatism: still the same and still the same, still the Polish justice system, which is not the competence of this Chamber. And you know it perfectly well. And all the lies that are being perpetuated here are just to sustain this debate, which is convenient for this part of the European Parliament. And finally, let me say this: I am ashamed of those Polish MEPs who are attacking Poland, their homeland, from here and here. But the chuckle of history is that most often they come either from socialist systems, or they privatized Poland in such a way that they sold off all our national wealth. Ladies and Gentlemen, the European Union must develop. Poland certainly wants such a Union and it will be in such a Union.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we have known it so far. We all feel these changes and try to find the best solutions so that everyone finds themselves in this new reality. I believe that we all care about a Union of values and a secure society where everyone can reach their full potential. It is extremely important that in the situation caused by the pandemic, no one feels left behind and that everyone has the feeling and conviction that these solutions, which will be proposed, are also proposed for him. We support the economy in order to provide people with work, development and security. I believe that in order to build a dynamic economy with a solid and inclusive labour market, we should first of all step up activation measures and equip people with the skills to navigate the labour market transformed by the twin transitions. I support all the actions that serve this purpose. Particular attention should be paid to adapting women, people over 45, people with disabilities and excluded people to the new labour market. I also pay attention to what the energy transition brings and will bring, in order to remember that in the regions – in the case of Poland these are coal regions – there are people living and working who will also need support to adapt to the new reality.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Dear Commissioner, Ladies and Gentlemen, I will start by strongly opposing these statements, which struck my homeland, Poland, as if Poland were a country that was illegitimate and did not respect European values. I think that many of you who have said this would be happy and would like to live in such a law-abiding and respectful European country. Second, let's get to the facts. The Polish government has submitted a national recovery plan in accordance with the rules. No comments were officially made to him. So here's the question: Why does this happen when President von der Leyen has made it clear that the only criterion for conditionality will be financial irregularities, and yet Poland is one of the few countries in the European Union that has an excellent charter in this respect? Finally, I have a reflection: Mr President, Mr Prime Minister, we were both prime ministers, we sat in the European Council. Wasn't it better - and this is a bitter reflection, forgive me, but I will say this - to veto rather than trust that there will be pure rules of the game and that all countries will be treated equally? I hope that Poland will finally be treated in the same way as other countries and our recovery plan, in accordance with the rules, will be adopted.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Dear Commissioner, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me give you an example of an increase in prices from just one member state of the European Union in recent days. Since the beginning of the year, the price per cubic metre of gas in the country has increased by 200 %. Electricity price by 152%. On Tuesday, the price of gas exceeded $1,160 per cubic meter and was 8% higher than a week ago, which means it is seven times higher than in the previous year. Wind farms produce less energy, gas extraction has been reduced, and storage is on average 58 percent full. What kind of country is this? This is the Netherlands, the home country of Commissioner Timmermans, who is the author of the draft Fit for 55 plan, which is intended to heal the future situation on the energy market in Europe. Is that going to happen? I don't think so. And we should be very careful about these solutions. Why is that? You all talked here about what caused the energy price hikes – ETS trading – where did these decisions take place? In this House, it is the European Union that has given its consent to such solutions. It was the European Parliament, the European Commission did not oppose Gazprom's implementation of Nord Stream 2. Today we have this effect. Therefore, if we want to protect Europeans from a very serious energy crisis affecting both social issues and energy security, we must really rethink the European Union's energy policy.

Mr President, thank you very much. Dear President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Today we are asking the question of what is the state of the European Union, so we can say this: The façade of our European home is beautiful. The Chairwoman still colored it today, but unfortunately it was a mess inside. Why is that? This is because the European institutions are increasingly taking decisions outside the treaties and the principles and values that were once the foundation of our common European home – Christian values, the principles of tolerance, equality and all that they bring – are increasingly being violated. The President has referred to Robert Schuman here several times today. So I would like to remind you that for him and the founding fathers of the European Union, this foundation was very important. So I have a question: on what treaty, but also moral, basis does the European Commission want to punish regions, municipalities and voivodships that publicly express support and support for the traditional family model or for Christian values? What Treaty provisions make it possible to combine the rule of law with the payment of European funds? Where is it enshrined in the Treaties that arbitrary decisions by a single official of the European institutions can decide whether a Member State’s legal system is compatible with EU law or not, since it is the law of sovereign Member States? The European Union is for Europeans. It is our common home and it is meant to serve Europeans, not European institutions that want to take over our common European home more and more.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The project prepared by Commissioner Timmermans is highly controversial, and it resounds in this room in virtually every speech. Because, on the one hand, we have a noble goal: climate protection, the future of our planet (this is certainly one of the most important challenges that we face), but on the other hand, this noble goal is to be achieved by the degradation of the European economy, by the loss of jobs, by the exorbitant increase in poverty of millions of Europeans and the degradation of entire regions. If the Fit for 55 goal is achieved at this cost, it will not only not improve the fate of Europeans and ensure a good future for the people of our region and the world, but, on the contrary, it will contribute to their deterioration. If you don't know what's going on, it's usually about money. So let's ask ourselves: Who will benefit and who will lose.

Madam President, I'm sorry. There were a lot of beautiful, beautiful words. This is what the President and you have said: about equality, about values, about mutual respect. But what values and what respect is it about? These values and this respect are only valid when they concern the worldview, the left-liberal ideologies. Conservative Europeans, in your opinion, do not have the right to vote. On what basis do you use the words ‘Orbán regime’, ‘a brown Europe built by conservatives’? What is it, anyway? Why is there no reaction? You are saying that every European is to be protected by the European Union, to have the same rights, that the Union is to take care of him. We have been advocating for a very long time that this House and the European Commission finally say stop building Nord Stream 2, because this threatens the security of Central and Eastern Europeans. And what? And nothing - because there is a big business that you support. Hypocrisy and lying.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, An alternative resolution has been prepared by us because we believe that this is an extremely important problem: an ageing Europe and a dignified old age. On the other hand, we cannot agree, I cannot agree, that the report on the elderly, on the elderly, should be subject to some ideological competition, as one of the political groups is trying to do. I cannot accept that the radical left in every document, regardless of whether it concerns this topic or not, postulates that topics concerning, for example, reproductive rights should be introduced. And no ideological gameplay or attempt to pressure me or my colleagues will force us to give up our values, the principles we profess and which we believe we owe to our constituents, to the citizens of Europe who have entrusted us with these mandates, to all of us, to take care of their affairs and not just ideological games.

Dear President, Dear Commissioner, Ladies and Gentlemen, At the outset, I would like to thank all the shadow rapporteurs very much for your work, comments, suggestions, for the amendments tabled to the report, and there were quite a few of them, almost 600, which confirms that the subject of the ageing of the Old Continent and demographic issues are at our heart and that we are aware of the importance of these challenges. But at the same time, there is such a reflection: After 600 amendments that significantly change the content of the report, is this report still what the authors intended it to be? Or is it a completely different text? Nevertheless, it seems that the topic is so important that it is worth to bend over it all the time. I would also like to thank very much the Secretariat of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, all the staff who have supported us. Thank you for your professionalism, for your help. Thank you for your commitment. But most of all, I want to thank my team, assistants, experts, advisors very, very warmly and sincerely. This is your hard work. This is a very good report that you have prepared in the belief that you are doing something very important for all the people of our continent. Thank you very much for this. Europe, the Old Continent, is ageing. This is one of the most important challenges we face today. Extending the average life expectancy, lower fertility are problems, challenges that we face today. We can say that these demographic changes are also exacerbating regional disparities and consequently depopulating areas in the European Union, especially rural areas. The report is very comprehensive and raises many important issues in the lives of older people, because it is the elderly who are the protagonists of this report. It is for them that this report is and I firmly believe in it, Ladies and Gentlemen, that together we will be able to introduce solutions that will support the elderly. The coronavirus pandemic has further highlighted the problems that require our special attention and underlined the need to include a specific strategy for older people in EU action. It is about highlighting the role of older people in the societies of the European Union and surrounding them with appropriate care, counteracting the loneliness of older people and using their vast knowledge and experience. Therefore, this report highlights how important it is for society to preserve intergenerational ties, including by promoting mentoring and volunteering, and how crucial it is to ensure adequate long-term health care for older people and to support initiatives based on the silver economy, mentoring and ways of activating senior citizens. The senior should have the right to decide whether he wants to work longer or can devote himself to other social roles, such as caring for his grandchildren or social activities. We also call for actions to improve the quality of life of our seniors adapted to the needs of these people in public spaces, apartments, transport. That is why the report calls for the European Union to encourage Member States to make greater use of EU funds, such as the European Social Fund Plus or the European Regional Development Fund, to adapt infrastructure for seniors. It is both safe and accessible public transport, as well as public buildings or apartments that are adapted to the needs of the elderly. I am very happy that in the report we are talking about efforts to maintain traditional craftsmanship, because we must not forget about its invaluable contribution to the achievements of material culture. Seniors are now the depositories of knowledge about traditional professions, which are a unique element of European heritage. It is also very important to support the construction of day care centres close to schools and kindergartens, which will foster the development of intergenerational ties and counteract the loneliness of the elderly, because intergenerational solidarity is one of the fundamental values of the European Union. And I cannot imagine a prosperous Europe without respect for the elderly. We also call for the establishment of a Year of Solidarity between Generations and Active Ageing. This is a reference to the 2012 initiative, when the European Union tried for the first time to tackle the problem of population ageing. Many of the tasks formulated at that time are still relevant, and the coronavirus pandemic has additionally posed new challenges for the European Union in this area. Hence the call to return to this initiative. All forms of discrimination, crime, exclusion and violence against older people must also be firmly opposed. These are problems that we also need to talk about and protect the elderly from. The coronavirus pandemic has also shown how important it is that older people are not digitally excluded. Ladies and Gentlemen, Many say that this report is not very progressive or conservative. There were different voices. We spent a lot of time on this report. As I said, there have been over 600 amendments, for which I would like to thank you very much. I believe that this report is worth looking beyond political divisions at the fate and situation of the elderly.