Speeches

Madam President, the EU’s Magnitsky Act represents an important foreign policy instrument that allows us to defend the values and principles on which our Union was founded and to punish those who are responsible for human rights abuses. However, I believe that it is absolutely essential that the sanctions regime also target economic and financial enablers of these human rights abuses. This is why the Member States must urgently expand the scope of the EU Magnitsky Act by drawing on the US Global Magnitsky Act and include acts of corruption within the instrument. All too often oligarchs or representatives of oppressive regimes launder money through our European cities, use the money stolen from their own people to repress them, as well as to corrupt and interfere in our democratic processes. Using the Magnitsky Act to go after the money will not only help people who wish to live in free societies, but it will also make our own free societies more resilient.

Madam President, European society is ageing. This development was preceded by complex causes that resulted in lower birth rates, but also the outflow of young people from some areas. Unfortunately, we did not respond in time with supportive policies. Today we see the growing effect of so-called sandwich parents, who, alongside children, find it difficult to manage the care of their parents because we do not have the necessary infrastructure. It's 12 o'clock. To adopt effective policies for ageing well, older people need access to healthcare and care services, but also to lifelong learning. Of course, a well-designed family policy and a fair assessment of childcare in the pension system are absolutely crucial. It is also important to highlight the great potential of new digital assistive technologies, which can significantly help seniors to live independently. The dignity of the lives of our parents and grandparents is our mirror.