Debate contributions by Malik AZMANI

Mr President, Commissioner McGrath, Minister Bjerre on behalf of the Council, colleagues, exactly two years ago, Georgia was granted EU candidate status, and one year ago, that process was rightfully frozen. Georgia has been pushed towards a Russian-style autocracy: laws against free media were passed; elections were manipulated; hundreds of people were beaten for peacefully protesting; even the use of chemical weapons against civilians was justified. Today, Georgia holds more political prisoners per capita than Russia. Brave journalists, like this year's Sakharov Prize winner Mzia Amaglobeli, are imprisoned. Prominent opposition figures, even from our own political family, ALDE, are behind bars. And Georgian Dream does not stop. They now want to ban all opposition parties. But we Europeans should say no, and be clear that this democratic crackdown comes with responsibility. Georgian Dream officials are instruments of the Kremlin's hybrid war against Georgia and Europe, and help Russia bypass international sanctions. The EU has waited too long and must impose targeted sanctions now: suspend visa liberalisation for Georgian Dream officials – they must pay the price, not the Georgian citizens. The EU must apply real pressure: demand the release of all political prisoners immediately and insist on new, free and fair elections. No excuses, no delays. We owe it to all those fighting for a free and democratic Georgia.

Mr President, Commissioner McGrath, Minister Bjerre on behalf of the Council, colleagues, exactly two years ago, Georgia was granted EU candidate status, and one year ago, that process was rightfully frozen. Georgia has been pushed towards a Russian-style autocracy: laws against free media were passed; elections were manipulated; hundreds of people were beaten for peacefully protesting; even the use of chemical weapons against civilians was justified. Today, Georgia holds more political prisoners per capita than Russia. Brave journalists, like this year's Sakharov Prize winner Mzia Amaglobeli, are imprisoned. Prominent opposition figures, even from our own political family, ALDE, are behind bars. And Georgian Dream does not stop. They now want to ban all opposition parties. But we Europeans should say no, and be clear that this democratic crackdown comes with responsibility. Georgian Dream officials are instruments of the Kremlin's hybrid war against Georgia and Europe, and help Russia bypass international sanctions. The EU has waited too long and must impose targeted sanctions now: suspend visa liberalisation for Georgian Dream officials – they must pay the price, not the Georgian citizens. The EU must apply real pressure: demand the release of all political prisoners immediately and insist on new, free and fair elections. No excuses, no delays. We owe it to all those fighting for a free and democratic Georgia.

Madam President, dear colleagues, Commissioner and representatives on behalf of the Council, I would like to thank you, Commissioner, for presenting this important report. The migration pact is a key solution to the migration challenges facing the European Union. Therefore, it is essential that Parliament is also fully involved in both the implementation process and the assessment of the situation in our Member States. However, I would have appreciated that we, as Parliament, had been informed earlier about the progress of implementation at national level, particularly concerning the border procedure. As a member of the Migration Working Group, I believe that Parliament has not been sufficiently involved so far. I would therefore also like to ask friendly to the Commission to ensure that we are more closely included in this process. I would also want to ask the Commission to keep supporting Member States in the preparation for the timely implementation of the pact. After all, as you mentioned also, Commissioner Brunner, solidarity cannot exist without responsibility. It goes hand in hand. When there is still secondary movement in the European Union, there will also be less appetite for solidarity.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the world is changing rapidly and, in this turbulent time, international security is rightly the focus of attention. But as we look outside, we must not forget our internal security. Within Europe, too, threats are increasing, often also stimulated from the outside, from drug violence to subversion and terrorism. Strengthened European cooperation is of great importance and our police officers play a crucial role in this, and it is up to us to ensure that they receive the support and resources they need. The internal security strategy is essential. But words are not enough. I call on the European Commission to swiftly come forward with concrete proposals that strengthen the position of our policemen and women, including in the fight against drug production and trafficking. For a Europe that is not only strong outside, but also safe within its own borders.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I would like to express my appreciation for the cooperation in dealing with the visa waiver suspension mechanism. We have achieved a significant result, thanks also to the rapporteur, Mr Nemec. We have reached an agreement to strengthen the existing 2018 visa legislation with stricter and more efficient rules. This is necessary in order to be able to react more quickly and effectively if visa-free travel to the European Union is abused. The world is changing and we have to go along with it. In Europe, we are facing new threats. We see instrumentalisation of migration and organised crime with drug-related violence. There are also new hybrid threats, in particular cyberattacks and espionage. We need to be able to better protect our external borders. Therefore, these three additions, which suspend visa-free travel from third countries, are the most important for me: if there is a 30% increase in irregular stay or criminal activity; in the case of hybrid threats towards the European Union; and if there is a substantial increase in disadvantaged asylum applications. With this extra addition to the legislation, we keep Europe, and therefore also the Netherlands, stable and safe.

Madam President, colleagues, today in this House, we celebrate a milestone that defines the very essence of our European Union: the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement. 40 years ago, the Schengen area was born out of a shared vision. A vision where borders would no longer divide us, where freedom of movement would be a fundamental right for every European citizen. This was not just a policy. It was a promise of unity, opportunity and peace. And as a Member of Renew Europe, I stand before you proud of our commitment to this vision. We have championed the principles of openness, cooperation and mutual respect. However, we must also acknowledge the challenges that have tested this vision: security issues, migration pressure and the rise of nationalism. Let us be clear, the answer is not to retreat behind walls. The answer is to strengthen our external border management, to enhance the cooperation among Member States and with third countries, and to modernise our systems to ensure that Schengen remains a beacon of what Europe can achieve when we stand together. Let this anniversary remind us of our shared responsibility to protect and uphold the freedoms that Schengen has granted us. Let it inspire us to work towards a Europe that is not just united in policy, but also united in purpose.

Mr President, dear Commissioner Kos, the Parliament is about to adopt a yearly progress report on the relationship between the EU and Türkiye and I would like to first express my gratitude towards the rapporteur, Mr Sánchez Amor, for all his efforts and for his inclusive process towards this report. And the message is clear: to help keep Europe and Ukraine safe, the EU needs to work more closely also with Türkiye in response also to the Russian aggression. Europe's security structure is changing and this is a new reality. A stronger partnership with Türkiye is not just a good idea, it's a strategic need. The Parliament makes this clear also in the report. And the EU also has a responsibility. By setting clear expectations when it comes to core values like democracy, human rights and the rule of law. So, dear Commissioner Kos, take this report seriously. Use it not only to point out Türkiye's shortcomings, use it also to build a smart EU strategy that combines closer cooperation with firm and principled pressure, a strategy that could guide Türkiye in the right direction that supports both our interests. That is not just the right thing to do, that is also a win‑win.

Madam President, the arrest of İmamoğlu is not just an attack on an opposition leader, it is a politically motivated effort to silence opposition. And it becomes worse, protesters are facing brutal force and journalists are being arrested. And yet, the European Union remained silent until this evening. I'm very glad to hear that the Commissioner decided to cancel her official visit to Ankara – I'm very glad to hear it. But still, a high-level political dialogue is still scheduled for this Thursday. The hesitations come from concerns of security cooperation. But rest assured, the European Union and Türkiye have a deep and long-standing relationship, one that has withstood harsh arguments before and will remain to do so. Friends can be critical of each other and can point out mistakes being made. The EU must take a firm stand: suspend also the dialogue, unless the Turkish government immediately releases İmamoğlu. Europe cannot be silent or we will find ourselves on the wrong side of history.

Mr President, Commissioner Brunner, colleagues, the world around us is getting harder and harder. And as the war in Ukraine shows: Our security is threatened from the outside. That is why it is also good that we now have a strategy in place in which we can respond quickly and jointly to hybrid threats. But as we look at these threats, I would like to emphasise that we must also remain alert to what is happening within our borders. Organised crime and subversion are on the rise in both the Netherlands and the European Union. This puts enormous pressure on our way of life. Criminal networks are becoming increasingly brutal, violent and international. A European approach is needed, including on drugs, because stricter controls in one port lead to more smuggling in the other. I would like to hear from the Commissioner how he intends to achieve this. I think it is essential to roll out a more comprehensive European port strategy! I thank the Commissioner and am motivated, together with my colleagues here, to work with him towards a safer Europe and thus also a safe Netherlands.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, after the successful establishment of the migration pact, I am pleased that today a new returns directive has been presented by the Commission, for which I would like to thank Commissioner Brunner. Without a functioning system on returns, the European migration system will never function properly. At the moment, only 20 % of rejected asylum seekers are actually returned. This is not acceptable, and it undermines public support and trust in our migration policies. There is a need for a simple, fast and efficient returns directive, where mutual recognition of return decisions between Member States is essential. And there I see already – with my critical eyes – room for improvement, dear Commissioner. Furthermore, rejected asylum seekers and the countries of origin must be required to cooperate with their return, and there should be consequences for those who do not. This requires intensive cooperation with these countries. We need agreements, Commissioner. Let me be clear: the Renew Europe Group is adamant that human rights are always being taken into account. And from now on, in view of previous lessons learned, it's important that Parliament takes responsibility and works together.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the geopolitical landscape is drastically changing. The EU and Türkiye therefore need each other more than ever. A strong partnership is crucial for both. However, more and more elected officials are being removed from office based on fake or politically motivated charges and replaced by government trustees. This development is deeply concerning. I therefore call on the Turkish Government to stop these practices. This does not build a stronger partnership with the European Union. Instead, it erodes trust and creates obstacles for stronger EU-Türkiye relations. I also call on the EU High Representative, via the Commissioner, to take a firm and clear stand in response to these actions, because if Türkiye is serious about moving closer to the European Union – as they have repeatedly claimed – it must uphold the basic principles of democracy and the rule of law. These values are not negotiable.

Mr President, the fall of the Assad regime brings both relief and uncertainty for Syrians. The big question is: Is Syria entering a period of instability again or is this the beginning of reconstruction and stability and with a perspective for refugee Syrians to return safely as well? The new Syria has one advantage: it can detach itself from the influence of Iran and Russia, which did everything to keep Assad in power and strengthen their influence in the region. Last week, the European Union called for a peaceful transfer of power. Rightly so, but in the meantime countries such as Turkey, Israel, the UK and the US are not idle and Russia is also conducting talks with the rebels who overthrew the regime. Countries such as Russia or Iran are not allowed to determine the future of Syria. The EU must therefore also assume its responsibility to engage in dialogue and dialogue with Syria itself, so that the period of reconstruction can begin. Not only for the security and stability of Syria, not only for the security and stability of the region, but also for the security and stability of Europe.

Mr President, in 2024 there is a hunt for Jewish people in Amsterdam, the city of Anne Frank. Ordinary football violence degenerated into a ‘Jewish hunt’, something we had promised ourselves never to let happen again. We are too tolerant of intolerance and I think the consequences are horrific. The problem is also deep. The conflict in the Middle East is a catalyst of deep-rooted anti-Semitism and exposes failing integration of parts of our society. It is a growing intolerance of our European freedoms. This intolerance is partly the result of unwanted foreign influence. This has no place, not in my Netherlands, not in my Europe. We will have to work together to protect our free European values, and the time to intervene is now. First of all, as my predecessor pointed out, by including Samidoun on the European terror list. This dangerous organization incites people to hatred and spreads anti-Semitic messages. I demand European action and I expect an answer.

Mr President, first of all I must say that the Council is apparently not represented in this important debate today. As much as I am pleased that Commissioner Dalli is here, it is of course also a bit of contempt that the migration commissioners, who are responsible for it, or the President of the Commission are not here today, because for us – Renew Europe – this is an important debate. It is not for nothing that a debate is a priority for this Parliament. We have made great strides, also in this Parliament, when it comes to the migration pact. I think the only thing left to say is: implementation, implementation and implementation of the Migration Pact. We don't have to take two years. Better today than tomorrow. But where we still have to take steps is on the return policy. Because when asylum seekers are rejected in one European country, I don't want them to try again in another. Through good European cooperation, we can prevent asylum seekers from wandering around Europe. For me, it makes a lot of sense: the return decision issued in one country will have to apply throughout the European Union. On the contrary, we need European measures to reduce the influx of asylum seekers, including to the Netherlands. We see that such cooperation is bearing fruit. Partly as a result of the migration agreement with Tunisia, arrivals via the Mediterranean route have fallen by more than 60%. That is why we must also have the political courage to regulate the return policy at European level by also acting together against third countries that refuse to cooperate in taking back rejected asylum seekers. Because if Member States do this on their own, we will not succeed. As long as Member States continue to choose their own interests over European cooperation, we will not get anywhere. So only together can we offer these fundamental solutions.

Mr President, Commissioner Schinas, in order to reduce migration flows, we need European action. The Netherlands cannot do this alone. A Member State cannot do this alone. In fact, we also need to work with countries outside Europe to achieve this. We can build walls on our external borders, as some here may claim, but with 44,000 kilometres of external borders, this is a sham solution. Also, 30,000 new border guards at Frontex will not be sufficient. The European Union will need to conclude more migration deals with third countries so that we can ease the pressure on our external borders and work together on returns. When I look at the composition of the new European Commission, I unfortunately see that this seems to have little political priority. For example, we do not have a vice-president who is responsible for this. The people at home want the European Union to solve problems for them. Dear Commissioner Schinas, I would like to thank you for all your work and I know that you share my opinion on this, so I ask you: who will tackle this in the new European Commission – closing these deals?

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, colleagues, Orbán is playing with the security of Europe. Hungary grants work visas to Russians and Belarusians. This gives them free access to our territory. Orbán opens the door to Russian spies. He is giving Putin a weapon of war and that is a great threat to our security. Orbán shows again which side he is on in Putin's fight against the free West. The rules of the Schengen Agreement are clear to everyone. That is why stricter border controls are now needed between Hungary and the rest of Europe. In fact, a Member State that actively undermines our security cannot remain in the Schengen area. Therefore, Commissioner, make a proposal to the Council to suspend Hungary from the Schengen area. If only to put pressure on you, because unfortunately that is the only language Orbán understands.