Speeches

Madam President, in 200 days we will officially start the campaign for the European Parliament elections. 2024 is a year with huge stakes for the European Union. Five years ago we had no wars, there were no military conflicts in different hot spots of the world, we were just talking about possible threats. We now live in a post-pandemic world, in a Europe at war with Putin. We live in a world where terrorism is brutally and savagely threatening free citizens and, unfortunately, tonight we had a terrorist incident in Brussels. How did we get here? It's simple. No one has anticipated what dangerous effects social media tools can have when used by state actors and interested entities in order to misinform, manipulate and propagate various conspiracy theories. That is why I think it is very important for the Commission to act firmly to combat disinformation, so that next year we do not find ourselves with foreign interference, because the Kremlin is looking forward to its presence again.

Mr President, Commissioner, Putin has turned Russia into the largest prison we now have in the world. This criminal regime is trying through all the tools it has, to keep itself in power only through terror. And Kadyrov is nothing more than an instrument by which Putin keeps Chechnya under terror. And what is happening now to Mrs. Musaeva, mother of two activists and human rights activists, detained to put additional pressure on her sons, is just a demonstration that in this country everything is governed by terror, by humiliation, by blackmail and, obviously, by silence. That is why it is essential to assure Russian civil society that it is not alone and that it must fight for democracy, for freedom of expression, for human rights. And those who cannot be humiliated by Putin must know that there will come a day when they will take their country back, a country that Putin has turned into prison.

Mr President, Commissioner, what kind of future does Afghanistan have and what awaits today's Afghan children, what is the fate of women and, obviously, the daily fear experienced by those who served the Afghan administration in the short stage of democracy? Obviously, this regime, which resembles terror on a daily basis, will not cease, and it is therefore essential that the European Parliament constantly send messages of support and solidarity with the Afghan people. The future of Afghanistan cannot remain only in the hands of these Taliban who sow terror, persecution and keep an entire country in prison. It is our vocation to promote freedom and democracy wherever they are expected.

Mr President, Commissioner, I regularly consult the reports of the Council of the European Union on the Member States' failure to comply with the Schengen Regulation, and we can see that many states that give lessons in democracy, the rule of law, are very negligently treating the Schengen issue, and I invite you to consult these reports that the Council of the European Union is issuing. But I want to ask the Commission for concrete actions to comply with the treaties of the European Union, because it is inadmissible for us, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens, for 12 years, to be kept at the borders of the European Union. It is incomprehensible and inexplicable this behavior and this blockage generated by some states that give us lessons, but are sanctioned by the European Union precisely because they do not comply with the Schengen legislation.

Madam President, Commissioner, Putin has brought war back to Europe and what Russia is doing today deserves a response commensurate with this unprecedented challenge. I think it is essential to understand that investments in Eastern Europe, in our partners who are facing the Russian aggression with great difficulty and effort, must be supported, because they are investments in our peace and stability. Obviously, Ukraine must be unconditionally supported and our resources for realistic goals that we must achieve must also be focused on this heavily affected country, but, Commissioner Hahn, please do not forget about the Republic of Moldova, because the European Union must continue to have this geopolitical approach and support Moldova to integrate as quickly as possible.

Madam President, history, which is being written before our eyes today, shows how Russia does not renounce its barbaric behaviour. We have recently debated here, in Parliament's plenary, the European Union's strategy on combating illicit heritage trafficking and resettlement in times of war. I want to bring here to the attention of my colleagues and the Commission a singular case in the world, when Romania's treasure was taken to Moscow and never returned. This is a unique case and I therefore want the European Commission, in its strategy for the relocation of heritage assets in times of war, to also introduce this extremely important dispute, because it comprises 92 tonnes of fine gold, which is illegal in Moscow today.

Madam President, a debate on extending geographical indications to the whole of the European Union, including craft products, is more than welcome. Romania has many regions with unique traditions and products in Europe that deserve protection and recognition. The production of products specific to a particular geographical area is often based on local knowledge and involves the use of local production methods rooted in the cultural and social heritage of the region of origin. Protecting these craft products through geographical indications would therefore not only guarantee the authenticity of the products, but would have a positive economic impact on those who produce them, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, as it encourages competitiveness. Moreover, such a European label would have a positive impact on employment.

Madam President, ensuring our energy security requires strategic vision and major political commitment – now, because it is hard to be green when you are on red. The renewable energy agreement that received the European Parliament's final vote today is a turning point for Europe's climate future. Renewable energy could also mean lower energy bills for consumers, beyond protecting the environment. In Romania, energy poverty is a harsh reality. We are talking about a country where 8 out of 10 buildings need energy renovation and where in rural areas more than 80% of households heat up with wood for lack of access to other sources or forms of heating. Aid for payment of bills has been an absolutely necessary and useful intervention tool to help vulnerable consumers, but it is not enough to invest only financial resources. It is absolutely necessary to find solutions to protect real consumers in the face of future crises. A medium- and long-term investment and a much more ambitious European action plan are needed.

Madam President, on 24 February we all found ourselves faced with a new reality, that of war. The guns took the place of day-to-day dialogue. Therefore, today we are obliged to reassess our military defence capability in order to guarantee the security of our states. The regulation we voted on today has a specific purpose, which is to strengthen the European Union's ability to protect its citizens by creating a new joint procurement instrument, with multiple benefits: better prices, shorter delivery times, improved cooperation between European armed forces using the same equipment. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which play a vital role in the supply chain, will also benefit. It is a solution that can make us stronger and more effective in the face of threats.

Madam President, Commissioner, extremist discourse is a reality in Europe today and, unfortunately, the speed at which it attracts new followers exceeds our capacity to react. In the absence of very strong mechanisms to combat this rhetoric, the danger is real and as tangible as possible. Societies are increasingly divided, and from there to radicalisation is only one step. We each have, in the states we come from, examples of extremist parties whose rhetoric becomes slightly attractive. At first they use harmless patriotic ideas to quickly slip into aggressive rhetoric that normalizes extremist ideas. Therefore, as I have been saying for a very long time, fighting disinformation, propaganda, cybercrime remains essential to protect our children, our identity, our values and our democratic freedoms. Social media and the online environment in general favour the spread and multiplication of extremist messages. That's where we have to start the battle. We have all seen in the years of the pandemic how dangerous extremist movements can be, whose agenda has managed to penetrate various environments using the tools provided by a simple computer with an internet connection. The first to be exposed are children and young people. They, as well as all European citizens, have a duty to protect them. It is a matter of European security.

Mr President, Commissioner, Putin, having started this absurd war against Ukraine, has very clearly sought to destabilise and blackmail Europe. At the moment we have several problems that we are facing and it is extremely important for the European Commission to live up to the expectations that the citizens of the European Union have. Ukraine must not be abandoned, but we need immediate solutions from the Commission to help the European farmers who are affected. Most of the grain crosses Romania. Our infrastructure is affected and we need immediate investments in order to be able to face these new challenges, because, unlike the other states, we are twice sanctioned, because even until this hour the border has not been lifted as far as the Schengen area is concerned. If we were in Schengen, there would not be this problem of Ukrainian grain at the moment.

Mr President, I voted today for this report which recognises the important role that the European Investment Bank plays in the development of the European Union. As a financial institution of the European Union, the European Investment Bank has been instrumental in bridging the investment gap, supporting our objectives and promoting real economic growth. In this regard, I underline the crucial importance of EIB support for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a country deeply affected by the consequences of the health crisis, the Russian aggression war, and the commitment of the European Investment Bank with significant funds already granted is more than appreciated and absolutely necessary. In addition, I urge the EIB to expand its assistance to the Romanians in the Republic of Moldova, who, unfortunately, are currently still under pressure from the Kremlin. Only through the guidance of the European Union and the financial resources provided by us, the partner states will continue to follow their European path.

Mr President, managing the crisis generated by the pandemic has been a major test for the European Union. On this occasion, we could observe how many vulnerabilities exist in the public health system in Europe and obviously it is good that we were able to act in solidarity and united. However, with the passing of this crisis, there are still many open questions that citizens expect to be answered. That is why it is essential that in the future we are prepared to manage much better, much more professionally, much more predictively and, obviously, by applying a much more effective prevention policy, so that our citizens can face any health challenges. And of course, my belief is that in the future, the European Union must have more competences in terms of public health.

Mr President, Lebanon is currently facing an unprecedented crisis, with political, economic, social, financial and health challenges. A reality, which I have recently come to know, in my visit to this country. The majority of the population lives in poverty, while access to basic services such as healthcare and food is becoming increasingly difficult. As a global leader, the European Union has a crucial role to play in supporting this country. We need to provide urgent assistance and guidance to address the root causes of the crisis and restore stability. Through solidarity with Lebanon, we demonstrate our commitment to peace and democracy. It is time for the European Union to mobilise its resources, expertise and influence to have a sustainable impact. We must unite in support of the Lebanese people.

Mr President, after the collapse of the USSR, Kyrgyzstan showed no signs of being ready to move towards a democracy that was consolidated and adapted to the rules of our values. We see, however, that over the last few years, this attachment to democracy has profoundly altered. That is why I think it is vital to accelerate the dialogue with these former Soviet states, which today, unfortunately, are increasingly dependent and where Russia's influence is growing, including through these practices that they inherited from the Soviet era. Freedom of expression, human rights and the whole set of values that define democracy cannot be put in brackets by regimes that believe they can control citizens' freedom of thought. That is why we need to give a strong signal that we are concerned about what is happening there.

Mr President, I think it is extremely important to stand in solidarity with those who are in difficulty now, because the situation in Manipur reflects a reality that European states often avoid looking at in depth. And now I believe that the European Commission has an obligation to act more forcefully in its relationship with the Indian government to ask it to protect Indian citizens from the Christian religion. This situation in which tens of thousands of citizens are displaced, more than 50,000, the destruction of the more than 250 churches obliges the European Community to act more forcefully to defend human dignity. Those people are not to blame because the government is extremely inefficient in restoring constitutional order. I therefore call on the Commission to be more actively involved.

Mr President, Commissioner, I am glad that a Romanian civic initiative has today become a debate in the European Parliament on a topic that is of major interest to 27 million European citizens. I am glad that the amendment proposed by President Basescu is found in this resolution by which we ask Parliament to have courage and to join the demarche that we made at the Court of Justice of the European Union. We must have the courage to fight for the freedoms and rights of all European citizens, because what the Council of the European Union is currently doing, blocking our right to enjoy free movement, the facilities of the European single market, must be fought at the Court of Justice of the European Union. And that is why I am asking for Parliament to give a vote in the near future to intervene in this case before the Court of Justice of the European Union, which I have opened against the European Council. This is a legal conflict that needs to be resolved quickly.

Mr President, in a competitive Europe, it is essential to give young people real opportunities to gain practical work experience, and education plays a vital role in shaping future workforces. It must evolve in tandem with the needs and requirements of the market. In this respect, traineeships are the ones that help bridge the gap between education and employment. Legislation and rules on good quality traineeships must therefore facilitate cooperation between educational institutions and employers, ensuring that young people acquire the practical skills and knowledge required by industries and have a fair chance of contributing to the prosperity of our societies. Together with internships, vocational education and training can be part of the solution to the skills and unemployment crisis. We must also encourage young people to embrace vocational education.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, this is a subject of particular interest to me, because I come from a country with important agricultural resources, but not sufficiently exploited. Romania has almost 15 million hectares of agricultural land that Romanian farmers can turn into food for tens of millions of European citizens. In order to do this, they need support. I want to underline that over 60% of the grain exported by Ukraine has passed through my country in the last 12 months, and Romanian farmers continue to face great difficulties due to the liberalisation of imports of agricultural products from Ukraine. I voted for this report in the hope of a fair distribution of the European Union's resources. The level of direct payments needs to be adjusted to match the needs of farmers. Farmers in my country certainly and rightly feel wronged from this point of view.

Mr President, Commissioner, we are talking about a vote that makes history. The Artificial Intelligence Act, which received the approval of the European Parliament today, is the first of its kind in the world. We cannot ignore the fact that we are already anchored in a reality that is increasingly using artificial intelligence. It is therefore essential to ensure that its rapid development guarantees strong protection of fundamental rights, health, safety for everyone, as well as democracy and the rule of law. Therefore, providers of artificial intelligence models need to be accountable, to take into account a set of obligations that ensure that their systems are supervised by humans, that they are safe, transparent, traceable and non-discriminatory. That is why I voted in favour of creating mechanisms to protect citizens so that artificial intelligence is not misused and undemocratic by state actors and private entities that seek to undermine the discernment of our societies.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Europe is facing its greatest challenge since the founding of the European Union. The very reason why the European Union was created is now threatened by Russia. Russia despises peace, freedom, democracy and attacks states. But not only with the states they are fighting, but, behold, they have no scruples and pity in punishing innocent people, by torture, by deportation, which is unacceptable. It is our obligation to bring to justice these criminals, led by Putin, because the names of these children, Tihran Ohanisian and Mykyta Hanhanov, are two more heroes who sacrifice themselves, unfortunately, because Putin's diabolical pride is unable to stop this unjust war against innocent citizens. Today in Parliament we commemorated the victims of Stalinist deportations and over 2,700 names of victims of Soviet-era torture and deportations were read. Almost a century later, innocent people, innocent children, are subjected to the same evil practices. That is why it is important for our parliament to debate, sanction and not forget these crimes against humanity. We must stand with the people of Ukraine in this unjust war.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, in less than a year, European citizens will be invited to elect their representatives to the European Parliament. The question is, can the European Union guarantee European citizens their fairness and legitimacy, given that spyware has proven its effectiveness in manipulating electoral processes? The misuse of spyware means more than intrusion into private life, it is a real threat to the stability and security of states. Let us remember how much Russian disinformation and propaganda has done and continues to do. These, like spyware, are extremely powerful weapons, widely used by those who seek to silence the opposition, inconvenient journalists, critics, trample on freedom and democracy. It is clear that the European institutions must do more, they must have a much braver and firmer position to ensure that these weapons are not delivered directly into the hands of enemies of democracy and freedom of expression. European citizens will go to the polls with the confidence that their voice will be heard and the result of their vote will be fair, without the possibility of being manipulated or altered in any way. That is why we need more transparency and certainty to win the trust of citizens.

Madam President, Madam Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen, more than a year ago, Russia awoke us all to reality through its aggression against a state that did nothing to provoke it, such as Ukraine. Our reaction was correct and it is good to stand in solidarity, to empathize and support the Ukrainian people who are fighting against the Kremlin and this attempt to annex a state that has not provoked it. But I want to bring up to date and discuss an extremely important topic related to Ukraine. More than one million Romanian-speaking Ukrainian citizens live in the country. Romania has helped Ukraine enormously in this military conflict, but it is incomprehensible why Kiev continues the policy of dividing this minority between Romanians and Moldovans. We ask the Commission to get involved in this matter, which is extremely important, because Ukrainian citizens of Romanian origin are dying today on the front for Ukraine's freedom.

Mr President, Madam Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen, I believe that this report, which is indeed very comprehensive, debating a key issue relating to the present and future of all European citizens, such as competitiveness, seems to me to be an extremely important topic. In other words, businesses in all Member States must have the chance to compete on an equal footing, Madam Vice-President. However, I ask you whether the European single market, which defines the free movement of citizens, the free movement of goods, services and capital, can function and make full use of all these opportunities, as long as not all Member States can enjoy these freedoms? And here I am referring to my country, Romania, which cannot benefit from competitiveness and fair competition on the European single market, as long as for 12 years we are kept outside the borders of the European Union and cannot enjoy the freedom of movement of goods. Romania loses over EUR 10 billion annually and it is the Commission's obligation, together with the Council, to unblock this injustice, because we too want to be part of the European project and our companies to enjoy the same treatment as the rest of the European companies.

Mr President, Commissioner, I am very glad that we are debating this subject. I think it is very important that in the European Parliament, constantly, we send messages of solidarity with those who sacrifice themselves for our values, for human dignity, for human rights, for freedom of expression. Lukashenka is the last Soviet relic we have on this continent, and I think it is very important not to forget that these dictators feed on this Stalinist line through which they oppress their own nation. I think it is very important for Viktar Babaryka to know that we stand by them and that we support them, because these people are fighting for dignity, they are fighting for Europe, they are fighting for democracy, they are fighting for freedom. It is essential that dictators know that we are united with the nations that want to get rid of them.