Speeches

Mr President, dear colleagues, I co-sign and support the general budget amendment concerning the Commission’s financing of a campaign promoting the hijab. I supported this amendment two weeks ago. I supported it today. And I should and I, should it be necessary, will support it again. I find it perplexing that the Union’s budget, our taxpayers’ money, is used to finance a campaign that trivialises the mandatory veiling, and especially today, at a time when the women of Iran are fighting for freedom and dignity. Let me, however, also express my disappointment at those in this House who so often speak about the right to choose and yet shamefully voted against this amendment. If we truly support women’s right to choose, then we should firmly say ‘no’ to mandatory veiling and not fund programmes that trivialise it. It is both a question of defending human dignity and the values on which our society is founded on.

Madam President, I welcome the meeting of the European Political Community, because in this House we have come up with numerous proposals on strengthening cooperation with our wider European partners, including creative integration of those desiring it. I therefore want to congratulate the Czech Government on the success. The summit made it clear that the Community can never be an alternative for those wishing to join the European Union. On the contrary, the success of the inaugural summit lay in the fact that it provided an inclusive format in which to discuss common challenges with our wider European partners. These challenges are multiple: from responding to Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine through working together to rebuild the European security, to addressing the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party and other totalitarian regimes. Only by working together in the spirit of unity and solidarity can European nations address the many challenges in front of us.

Madam President, dear colleagues, thank you very much. The illegitimate regime of Aleksander Lukashenko continues to press the Belarusian people and deny their desire for a free Belarus. On top of that, Lukashenko sold Belarus sovereignty to Kremlin, and his illegitimate regime is providing daily assistance to Russian terror against the brave Ukrainians. Lukashenko, like Putin, is an aggressor and one day they must face justice. However, we must also ensure that as we continue to support the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression, we must also double our efforts to support the Belarusian people in their desire for freedom. The Belarusian democratic opposition, whom we have supported for many years, now needs us more than ever to aid their efforts at home and from exile. Because, without a free, democratic and sovereign Belarus, there cannot be a free, democratic and sovereign Ukraine. (Exclamation in Belarusian)

Madam President, we are facing a test that will determine our future. The rise in energy prices is of great concern to 47% of the Slovak population. One in six households in Slovakia is at risk of energy poverty. As I have pointed out on several occasions, the Council's agreement does not sufficiently address the problems of all the Member States. This is why we need to take concrete steps towards solidarity so that households and businesses across the EU can feel the support they need to overcome this crisis. It is also crucial to swiftly negotiate LNG and other gas prices with the US and other reliable partners. I welcome the Commission's support for the possibility of using unspent EU funds in the fight against the energy crisis. But I hope that in the EP we can increase the allocation from the current proposed 10%. In the midst of major trials, the European Union and the Member States must set up policies to help households, businesses and the public sector to bridge this difficult period. It is crucial to act quickly in unity and solidarity.

Mr President, first of all, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the relatives and closeness of these two young people. The shameful terrorist act that took place in Slovakia is a deplorable act of a desperate young man who succumbed to extremism and neo-Nazi propaganda. We must never allow hatred to spread to any person, minority or community, in this case LGBT. The killer's manifesto showed that he also hated various religions, races and other groups. Unfortunately, I have to say that the vulgarisation of public discourse in recent years in Slovakia, including as a result of the isolation caused by the pandemic, has had a hugely negative impact on our society, directly exacerbating huge polarisation or hatred. At KDH, we have highlighted this trend vigorously, and we have launched the Behind the Line campaign a long time ago. I wish we had more respect for our words and deeds as a result of this great tragedy.

Mr President, I would like to point out that our approach to this report unfortunately omits some important aspects that we urgently need to address in the European Parliament. The agreement from last week's Council is not the answer for many countries, and Slovakia is among the most affected. I consider it essential to look for new solutions, one that is based on solidarity. Indeed, it is our solidarity and unity today that are crucial for the future of the entire European Union. Furthermore, today I appeal for accommodating and accelerated process of approval of Slovakia's application, so that unspent EU funds can also be used to fight against expensive energy. Let the current energy crisis be a lesson for us, so that we no longer abandon our values and principles and never again allow such dependence on undemocratic and totalitarian regimes, which is always a threat.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, for many years, Russia has continued to use information warfare and other hybrid threats to weaken our democracies. Russian aggression against Ukraine has only deepened this, from spreading lies about the brave people of Ukraine, to cynically claiming that Putin’s Russia is a defender of traditional values. We must fight Putin’s propaganda, and there are concrete measures we can take. First, we must strengthen our StratCom units on both national and EU level, including the under—funded and under—staffed East StratCom unit. We must actively expose the Kremlin’s lies and, at the same time, actively communicate to our citizens our policies and actions. Second, although propaganda is not a new phenomenon, it has been exacerbated by social media. We can only successfully fight Russian propaganda if social media are part of the solution. Third, we must defend freedom of speech, and that’s why we mustn’t allow ‘cancel culture’ or any similar trends. At the same time, we must understand that freedom of speech belongs to individuals, and not to bots or any anonymous social media accounts. Dear colleagues, just as the Ukrainian people are bravely fighting Putin’s aggression, so must we not be afraid to give them all our support, and to fight Putin’s propaganda and lies. Truth will conquer, and it will win over lies.

Madam President, we saw how Roma live in settlements during the official visit of the European Parliament to Slovakia. All those who know at least a little about the reality of Roma communities know that it is absolutely necessary to find solutions to the problems that have been piling up for decades. It is no secret that even in the 21st century there are settlements without drinking water, sanitation or employment prospects or a dignified life. My aim as shadow rapporteur was to achieve a balanced text that would reflect many of the unfulfilled objectives and expectations in the policy of assisting marginalised Roma communities. At the same time, we must also take into account the problems faced by many cities and municipalities in implementing projects and solutions. There are also successful projects. That is why I proposed and insisted that this report should also include a proposal that cities and municipalities should be able to use funds not only to improve the situation of Roma living in settlements, but also of the wider community as a whole. This includes zero co-financing of projects that will enable cities and municipalities as a whole and all their citizens to move forward and develop. Last but not least, we need to remove the structural and bureaucratic obstacles that prevent them from properly absorbing the funds and discourage them from carrying out much-needed projects.

Madam President, we have long declared in various resolutions and reports that accessibility is fundamental and necessary for the full participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of life. We subsequently translated this concept into several legislative proposals, including the Directive on the accessibility of goods and services. However, implementation of this legislation is not always timely and effective and, despite many efforts, persons with disabilities still face obstacles in their daily lives. We lack accurate data, trained experts, but sometimes the will to seek innovative solutions. That is why I appreciate the plans to set up a European Accessibility Centre to bridge these gaps. I believe that this centre will create a space for Member States to work together with experts as well as representatives of persons with disabilities. It will provide the necessary guidance and enable the exchange of best practices. Accessibility in all areas of life is key for the full life of more than 87 million persons with disabilities in the European Union. Let's make it finally a reality.

Madam President, dear colleagues, let me begin by paying tribute to the brave Cardinal Zen, who is a true symbol of Hong Kong’s struggle for freedom and embodies Christian pursuit of freedom and love of one’s neighbour. It is in the intention of John Lee and his CCP masters to destroy the last remains of Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms and crush people’s hopes, and the moral strength of the 90-year-old Cardinal towering over the city. That’s why it is no coincidence that Cardinal Zen and the other trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund have been arrested and charged. The arrest is an attack on the freedom of religion and belief, as well as on all the freedoms guaranteed in Hong Kong’s basic law. Moreover, the CCP is keen to silence the Cardinal because he continues to stand and speak on behalf of the weak and oppressed across mainland China and Hong Kong. But it is this Christian mission that the CCP can never silence nor break. The faith of Cardinal Zen is that of the city itself. And our voice must be clear: we must urge the Hong Kong authorities to drop all charges against Cardinal Zen and the other trustees, as well as all the Hong Kongers whose only crime has been standing up for the city’s freedoms. It is also time for the Council to fulfil and implement all the July 2020 conclusions. In particular, Member States should provide lifeboat schemes for Hong Kongers to end all the remaining extradition treaties both with Hong Kong and with the PRC. Hong Kongers and all fleeing persecution of the CCP must feel safe in Europe. We must also ensure that our diplomatic representations and the EEAS provide support to the civil society and actively steps up trial observations, prison visits and human rights monitoring. Furthermore, it is essential that the Council finally place targeted sanctions under the EU’s Magnitsky Act against John Lee and all other Hong Kong and PRC officials representing the ongoing human rights crackdown in the city. Given the destruction of Hong Kong’s autonomy, it is time to review the agreement between the EC and Hong Kong in customs matters, the status of the Hong Kong office in Brussels and Hong Kong’s seat at the WTO. The CCP should not profit from Hong Kong while destroying the city’s autonomy and freedoms. Let me also stress the importance of working together with the Vatican and other religious leaders, as well as with our democratic allies, to defend freedom and human dignity and give a voice to the voiceless in mainland China and Hong Kong. Finally, let me thank colleagues across this House for cooperation on this important urgency. It is a testimony to the strong cross-party unity in standing with the people of Hong Kong.

Madam President, let me start off by thanking the rapporteur and colleagues across this House for the cooperation on this report. Multilateralism, as the peaceful organization of relations between states as well as the international organisations built over 75 years, is increasingly threatened. Today, non—democratic regimes, such as Russia under Vladimir Putin or the totalitarian Chinese Communist Party, are seeking to reshape multilateral forums and rewrite international norms to suit their malign interests from trade to human rights. For too long, we have allowed non-democratic regimes to increase their influence across multilateral forums. This is why it is essential that we work closely with our democratic allies to rebuild multilateralism. Together, we must ensure that multilateral institutions function in accordance with the values and principles on which they were built, that they are accountable and they work in a way that is relevant to meet today's challenges. First, we must utilise our existing networks and make full use of our new policy instruments, such as Global Europe or the global gateway. We must also not forget that we still exert important leverage on the biggest donor to multilateral institutions. Second, we must press ahead with our reforms to the key institutions, including the WTO and WHO, as well as the Human Rights Council, to ensure that they are resilient tomalign influence and work to defend the values on which they have been built. How we, the democratic world, respond to it will determine the world in which we will live in the future.

Mr President, the Conference on the Future of Europe ended two months ago, and while resolutions are already being adopted in Brussels or Strasbourg to launch a Convention to revise the EU's fundamental treaties, the citizens of the Member States are concerned about something completely different. These are mainly the consequences of the pandemic as well as war, rising prices of energy and food. We need to come up with quick and effective solutions here. In doing so, I stress that the views on the future of a Europe of citizens of 21 Member States have not been properly reflected in the conclusions at all, given the unclear organisational conditions. Official translations into the languages of all Member States, including Slovak, are not yet available. What message do we send to our citizens? I recently commissioned a survey in Slovakia, which clearly states that citizens want us to provide primary solutions for increasing prices, developing the economy and jobs. Three-quarters of Slovaks are afraid that they will not be able to cope with the price increase. The problem with the EU is that it often acts where it does not have the competences and does not act sufficiently where it can bring the necessary solutions.

Mr President, the pandemic, the long-term uncertainty and, in addition, the Russian invasion of Ukraine have further amplified what surveys have shown for a long time. Mental health is a neglected but constantly deteriorating area. This applies to adults, but even more so to children. These conclusions also stem from my meetings with experts, which confirmed to me that we face daily shortages of specialised departments, shortages of experts and therefore very long waiting times. Sometimes even life threatening. We should therefore mobilise all our forces to cope with this pandemic of mental health problems. And to do so, we can also benefit from a package of financial assistance from the recovery plan. Let us take these unprecedented means as an opportunity that we must use correctly. To do so, we need to evaluate the situation and needs, set targets and, last but not least, be able to respond flexibly to developments with the means and through changes to the recovery plan. So that we use these funds where we need them most, including protecting the mental health of children and adults.

Madam President, the Recovery and Resilience Facility is an unprecedented tool to help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, but also to cope with the other challenges we face. It is therefore essential that we use these funds as efficiently as possible and that they are available quickly and without unnecessary administrative obstacles. Detailed guidelines applicable to national differences should be provided by the Commission to the Member States. At the same time, I would like to call on the Commission to be accommodating in the event of objective changes to the recovery plans. In today's fast-changing situation, with the multiplication of challenges linked to the impact of the war in Ukraine, as well as other socio-economic impacts such as escalation, inflation, it is necessary that Member States have sufficient flexibility and the possibility to present changes reflecting their needs. Flexibility, coupled with swift processes and clear rules, is key to making the RRF objectives successful and achievable.

Mr President, dear colleagues, because of our lack of vision and political leadership, non—democratic regimes are today challenging European peace and security and threatening the stability of our neighbours. The doors of the European Union must remain open to all European countries fulfilling the necessary criteria: Ukraine, Moldova, but also Georgia, when it fulfils the necessary conditions. The countries of the Western Balkans who express a clear desire to join our Union also belong in our family. It is my hope that one day a free and democratic Belarus will join us too. However, we must also be creative about the integration processes for candidate and associated countries, done by establishing an enhanced and structured political dialogue with our partners, and to include them as observers in the Commission comitology procedures and Council working groups, as well as the specific meetings of the EU Ministers and Heads of State. Let us work together already today with our partners to the east and to the south of our borders, sitting around one table to pursue a Europe whole and free and to address the many challenges facing us today.

Madam President, dear colleagues, I am abhorred by the massacre of more than 50 innocent men, women and children during the Pentecost Sunday celebrations. However, we cannot simply express our concerns over such horrific acts. From Xinjiang, Syria to Nigeria, the state of religious freedom around the world is rapidly deteriorating, and Christians, as well as many other religious groups, are today facing persecution and even genocide. What is happening in Nigeria and elsewhere around the world is also our responsibility. For example, our financial centres are used by corrupt leaders, who ignore the security and well-being of their citizens and suppress their rights and dignity. We close our eyes to human rights abuses for the sake of profit. We ignore the plight of the suffering. This must change. It is time the European Union finally pay attention to the terrible state of the freedom of religion around the world. That’s why the appointment of a new EU special envoy is essential to stand up for the persecuted and voiceless globally.

Madam President, dear colleagues, as an associated country and one aspiring for EU candidate status, Georgia must adhere to the basic conditions, including respect for human rights. Unfortunately, over the past years, we are witnessing a serious undermining of media freedom, which is part of the broader trend of democratic backsliding in the country. I believe that these trends are counter to the Georgian people’s desire to live in a free, democratic and sovereign Georgia, as well as their European aspirations. I therefore call on the Georgian authorities to utilise fully Georgia’s legal framework for guaranteeing the freedom of expression and the freedom of media, to press on with reforms to ensure independence of the judiciary, to stop political polarisation and reverse the democratic backsliding. I also believe an important step to support the European path of Georgia is to impose targeted sanctions on the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili for his destructive role in the Georgian politics and economy. Finally, let me stress that as a friend of the Georgian people, we will not stand idly by while media freedom continues to deteriorate and there is democratic backsliding, which goes against the Georgian people’s European aspirations. We stand with the Georgian people.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the latest evidence shown in the Xinjiang police files confirms that what is taking place today in this province is systematic state-driven crimes against humanity and genocide. The evidence of the CCP’s crimes are there. They are collected and documented. Now it is time for action and political will to adopt the corporate due diligence framework and to bring in as soon as possible a ban on the products made by forced labour, as promised by the Commission. We must also ensure full implementation of the export rules to ensure that our technology is not used for surveillance or other forms of repression. Finally, it is necessary to sanction the Ministry of Public Security, including its head, Zhao Kezhi, and all those responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide in Xinjiang. It is time for the CCP regime to face consequences for its crimes and for us to stand with the people of Xinjiang and across China and Hong Kong who are constantly oppressed.

Madam President, dear colleagues, it is absolutely mind—blowing that we are standing here and having this absolutely disturbing debate on the possible future decision of an independent court of our democratic partner in the face of serious global challenges. At almost every single plenary, we are having resolutions on so-called sexual and reproductive rights, despite the very clear provisions of our founding treaties that this area belongs exclusively to the Member States. We are not only commenting on this topic without any competence to do so, but we also want to criticise the USA for something that hasn’t even happened yet. I am wondering how far are we to go in crossing our competences? – Našich občanov sme sa rok v rámci Konferencie o budúcnosti Európy pýtali, v akej Európe chcú žiť. To si vážne, kolegovia, myslíme, že riešiť budúce možné rozhodnutia súdov iných štátov je to, čo občania od nás očakávajú? V čase vojny, obrovského zdražovania a ďalších ekonomických problémov znásobených dopadmi pandémie? Pre mňa najväčším problémom Európskej únie je to, že neprinášame riešenia na problémy, ktoré občania cítia a sú v našej kompetencii. Ale naopak, strácame čas ideologickými zápasmi, ktoré do našej kompetencie vôbec nepatria. Zaradenie tohto bodu na plenárne zasadnutie je výsmechom občanov a európskej demokracie a je v rozpore so základným právom na život.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the Eastern Partnership initiative was always envisaged to support our eastern neighbours in truly building a ring of friends. Unfortunately, the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin has instead continued to view these countries as its sphere of influence. It regards people’s desire, states’ sovereignty, territorial integrity, undermining the very principles of European and international security. Today, Putin’s Russia is the number one source of instability for our eastern partners. As such, the European Union, together with our allies, must do all in our power to support our neighbours’ resilience and independence. We must smartly employ both our hard and soft tools in careful synergy. For example, we continue to support Ukraine materially as well as through micro-financial support. We must also support the Belarusian people’s desire for freedom. It is also vital to continue to work with our neighbours on addressing the country’s energy insecurity and to stop Russia from using frozen conflicts and occupied territories to further destabilise these countries. Finally, we must strengthen societal resilience against disinformation seeking to demoralise and confuse. Although the challenge in front of us is significant, we do have our right tools. What we require now is more strategic foresight and political will to ensure they are fully utilised.

Mr President, dear colleagues, every day we hear new evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine – military attacks, including on civilian targets, rape, torture, mass executions, forced deportations, looting and many other barbaric acts continue to be perpetrated against Ukraine and its people. They remind us of some of the worst excesses of Stalinism. We must ensure that these crimes are thoroughly documented, investigated and those responsible are brought to justice. That is why I welcome the setting-up of a UN International Commission of Inquiry and the launching steps of the ICC prosecutors’ investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, we must also do all in our power to establish a special tribunal for the punishment of crimes of aggression. We are witnesses of a tragedy that we thought we would never see, and to which we said ‘never again’. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and we must stand up to those seeking to suppress human freedom and dignity. It’s our moral duty.

Madam President, last week, Hong Kong police arrested the brave and peace—loving Cardinal Joseph Zen and three other trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. The fact that the four trustees have been arrested for collusion with foreign forces under the so-called ‘national security law’, just days after the election of John Lee as the new Chief Executive, shows without any doubt that Beijing intends to intensify its crackdown on basic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. European leaders must condemn these arrests and finally adopt targeted sanctions under the EU Magnitsky Act against individuals and entities responsible for actions undermining international agreements and for oppressing the people of Hong Kong. Today’s global struggle between the free world and non-democratic regimes requires bold leadership. Because if we are not willing to speak up for freedom everywhere, we cannot expect to enjoy freedom anywhere.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the illegitimate regime of Aleksander Lukashenko continues to terrorise and oppress the Belarusian people. Today, there are over 1 200 political prisoners in Belarus and 275 civil society and human rights organisations and numerous media outlets have been closed down. I want to especially mention the case of my brave friend, Pavel Seviarynets, who has already spent nearly 10 years in Lukashenko’s jails and who, a year ago, was sentenced to seven more years. It is because of brave people like Pavel, who every day pay a terrible personal sacrifice that we mustn’t forget about the plight of the Belarusian people. On the contrary, as we continue to support the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, we must also redouble our support for the people of Belarus, because we cannot have free and sovereign Ukraine without a free and sovereign Belarus.

Mr President, dear colleagues, the loss of any innocent life is a tragedy, and so is the death of Shireen Abu Aqla. I am equally disturbed by the violence seen at her funeral, but the rush to any judgement before the conclusion of a credible investigation is irresponsible. Shireen Abu Aqla was killed during the Israeli anti-terror operation following the murder of 19 Israelis in a spate of terror attacks within the past few weeks. Despite overtures by the Israeli authorities to conduct a joint investigation with the Palestinian authorities, the Palestinian side has refused this offer. The tragic death of Shireen Abu Aqla is a sad reminder of the spiral of violence taking place that continues to haunt this region. That is why we must seek the truth by supporting a joint inquiry rather than fuel any flames of hate and violence. Finally, let me also state that we must do all in our power to ensure mechanisms and safeguards to protect journalists. In 2021 only, 55 journalists have been killed around the world, while a free press is one of the key pillars to support freedom and democracy and society that protects human rights. Here in Europe, the brutal killings of Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta and Ján Kuciak in Slovakia are a stark reminder that the pressure from international communities to impartial investigation plays an important role in ensuring the truth is exposed and the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Madam President, the totalitarian apparatus of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to suppress and destroy human freedom and dignity. In the case of organ harvesting, as with forced labour, they even profit from their crimes against humanity. Let me thank the Independent Tribunal Into Forced Organ Harvesting for their important work. It is thanks to their efforts that the evidence and truth is today undisputed and indisputable. Today, the CCP is using forced organ harvesting to target dissidents to their regime, ethnic, religious or other minorities, such as the Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims, Christians, political prisoners, or Falun Gong practitioners. It is part of the widespread system of oppression in China. Nobody in China is safe. For too long we remained silent about the CCP’s wide—scale crimes. Today, it’s time for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate these crimes, and for us to do all in our power to stop this abhorrent business and hold the CCP responsible for all its crimes against humanity.