Debate contributions by Reinhold LOPATKA

Mr President, it is positive to see the end of this brutal terror regime in Syria. Now we must support Syrians in an orderly transition to a stable, functioning and democratic state. We must maintain continuous dialogue and keep the channels of communication open with the provisional government. Therefore, it was absolutely the right step of the new High Representative, Kaja Kallas, to send a high-ranking diplomat immediately to Damascus. We can assist in the rebuilding of institutions and democratic state structures, and we need there an inclusive government and a peaceful transition in order to support the rebuilding of society and the economy, and to reunite families and communities. We must encourage and assist Syrians in Europe to return to their homeland. 98 000 of them are in Austria. The majority are young men – they are needed in their country to rebuild the society and the economy.

Madam President, firstly I want to start positive: I want to mention that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a convention with strong support by the member countries of the United Nations: 196 countries are party to it, including every member state except the United States. This is a record number, but there is a big 'but': we have to see that the adoption of this important convention doesn't mean that all the rights are really fulfilled. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to advocate for and uphold the rights of every child across Europe and around the globe. Every child has the right to education, also all girls in Afghanistan. As European parliamentary Members, we must make decisive actions to take inspiration and enhance our own projects in our Member States. And we have to use our development projects to support the needs of children, especially in countries where living standards are very low. We must recognise the importance of EU initiatives such as the European Child Guarantee. Let us move forward with determination to fulfil our obligations to the children. Together we have to work for a future where every child's rights are respected.

Mr President, Iran's regime is one of the most brutal on our planet. It kills and tortures its own citizens, with women most strongly persecuted. The regime has been trying through all means to suppress the protests triggered by the death of the 22‑year‑old Mahsa Amini. In addition to arrests of numerous demonstrators, many death sentences were carried out in connection with nationwide protests. The way Iranian authorities are dealing with the protesters, especially with young girls and women, is shocking and absolutely unacceptable. Although Iran is a UN member, has formally recognised the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is unfortunately among the five states in the world that most frequently apply the death penalty. We must support the Iranian civil society and widen restrictive measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Madam President, Madam President of the Commission! It's good to see you on the 1st. You can start with your Commission in December, and it is also necessary that you focus on competition and the economy. That was the success story of the European Union, and that must remain the success story. Only with strong economic performance can we also finance our European model of life for our citizens. Less bureaucracy, more innovation and research, as well as a comprehensive capital market, are absolutely necessary here. This Capital Markets Union is a prerequisite here. At the same time, however, we must also step up our efforts to ensure our security. Putin-Russia poses a great danger here. We need more for our defense. But we do not need friendship treaties, as the Freedom Party of Austria concluded with the Party of Putin. And we need sustainable European solutions to illegal migration. Our Commissioner, Magnus Brunner, who comes from Austria, also needs the support of the 27 nation states. One last point: The European Union will also be strengthened – economically and security-wise – if the Western Balkans find their home here with us – in the European Union.

Mr Predisent, dear colleagues, I asked to take the floor, because for me, the Turkish occupation of Cyprus is like the Russian occupation of Ukraine. Of course, the scale is smaller, but the legal implications are the same. A gross violation of international law. Russia's consulate on the Turkish side shows that this issue is an international one. It is not only an issue of Cyprus, and therefore it is our obligation to support the unity of Cyprus. It is our duty to keep this important European topic high on our agenda. We must never forget that the unilateral declaration of the independence of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus constitutes a severe violation of international law, which undermines Cyprus sovereignty. As European parliamentarians, we must oppose any attempts to legitimise the TRNC. It is our duty of each of our Members of this Parliament to condemn this illegal occupation.

Mr President, dear colleagues, unfortunately, one cannot speak of fair elections in Georgia. I tell you why. There was pressure on voters, more before the election day as on the election day. This is only one of many criticisms which election observers from the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the OSCE and NATO Parliamentary Assembly have noted in their final statement. As one of the observers, I agree with the final statement that elections unfolded amid entrenched polarisation in an environment mired by concerns over recently adopted legislation, its impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society. Through death threats towards opposition politicians during the campaign, as well as in many other aspects, we can clearly see that the Georgian governing party is pointing towards Europe, but in reality it is heading towards Russia. If they do not change their course, Georgia will fall behind in its rapprochement with the European Union.

Madam President, colleagues, since 24 February 2022, we have been focused on Ukraine and since the 7 October 2023, Israel and Palestine have been occupying our attention, which is necessary, but we should not forget the plight of the Belarusian people. The regime of Lukashenka has been exerting systematic repression against Belarusian civil society, independent media, dissidents and all those opposed in any way to his brutal regime. Tens of thousands of people have been detained and there are still more than 1 350 political prisoners. The European Union must play an active role in supporting the aspirations of the Belarusian people for a democratic future – this is our duty.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen! Tens of thousands of people have been severely affected by the ongoing severe floods, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, when I think of the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Romania. Never before has there been such rainfall in Austria in such a short time. Yes, we have a natural disaster, and it is important to think first of all about the people affected, to thank the emergency agencies for their tireless efforts, but at the same time, of course, we are also massively challenged in politics. Our regional, national governments are doing everything they can in these hours. But we also say: If you help quickly, you help twice. This is where the European Union comes into play. In my opinion, the EU Civil Protection Fund and the procedure play a central role here, because Europe can and also shows this solidarity here. The European Commission plays a key role in the coordination of civil protection assistance measures and plays a significant role here, even when it comes to transport and operating costs. This EU solidarity fund has also come to Austria's aid several times, and we expect this European solidarity again for the heavily affected federal states, when I think of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, my home federal state of Styria, but also Burgenland. In addition, I think it is important that the planned review procedure on the Civil Protection Mechanism is also completed quickly by the Commission here, because we will continue to have natural disasters in the future; Climate change is evident here. We have to do everything in terms of renaturation projects and flood protection measures, and we also have to spend a lot of money to keep this ecological disaster that we see here from happening in the future.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the latest elections in Venezuela took place within an authoritarian regime that has presided over democratic backsliding for more than a decade, as many colleagues mentioned it already. Maduro didn't win the elections and he is still in power. That's the problem and we can never accept such a situation. Since Nicolás Maduro assumed the presidency in 2013, the situation has become worse day by day, and the dictatorship is meanwhile established. Maduro consolidated his power by creating an alternative legislative body to eliminate the National Assembly, and then using a packed Supreme Court to sideline the legislature and bar the major opposition figures from the presidential elections in 2018 and 2024. During both elections, international observers have found there has been limited freedom for political opposition, biased media coverage favouring the ruling party, and restrictions on civil society participation. The situation in Venezuela directly affected the European Union. It was mentioned the number of asylum applications submitted has dramatically increased. The people of Venezuela deserve free and fair elections and all results must be transparent and verifiable. We must do everything in our power to increase international pressure on the government in Venezuela. That is our duty today and tomorrow.

Madam President, Yes, we have a great common challenge, and our enormously important task is to actually strengthen our competitiveness. What do we need? We need to complete the internal market, we need to significantly improve the capital and energy market situation, and we need to invest massively in the technology sector. We need more Europe here. We need less when it comes to overregulation. It is not enough to talk about it, we have to act – and now it is time to act. A new debt package does not immediately bring with it structural changes that we need. But what it certainly brings is a new interest burden and that is not a good means for more growth. I am optimistic that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will make announcements in the right direction before and after 9 June. All initiatives in this regard are supported by me, but also by our Federal Government with Chancellor Nehammer.