Debate contributions by Yannis MANIATIS

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, last week the sudden fall of Assad, a dictator who bloodied Syria, surprised everyone and filled Syrian citizens with hope. In less than two weeks, Hayat Tahrir and her leader Al-Golani found themselves in control of Damascus and the country's majority. But nobody at the moment can be sure that the change of this regime will indeed lead to a democratic, inclusive and open Syria and not to the replacement of a bloodthirsty regime by a new one. Hayat Tahrir's jihadist past and her past relationships with al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which led to their inclusion on the list of terrorist organizations, leave no room for complacency. Already the first signs are very worrying, with the new transitional government far from being inclusive. We must not allow Syria to develop into a second Afghanistan on the Mediterranean coast, nor allow the re-emergence of the Islamic State. We must protect Syria's rich religious tradition, including of course the Christian population. We also need to ensure that all ethnic minorities, such as the Kurds, are equally involved in preparing for the next day. The attacks by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army against the Syrian Kurds, which have made a decisive contribution to the fight against the Islamic State, are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. There is a clear risk that civil wars will recommence with unforeseen consequences. Many years of civil war have left a country devastated. The European Union not only has an interest but also a duty to be substantially present in the region, to shape developments and to participate in the plans for the implementation of the next day. The Eastern Mediterranean is our neighbourhood, it is our home and we cannot leave it to other powers.

Madam President, in energy some well-known unknowns are speculating. Taxing their super-profits is not a governmental feat, but, on the contrary, a self-evident obligation. On the contrary, governments should apologise for the lack of international interconnections, internal networks, storage facilities and, above all, market surveillance that allow such speculation. But while some are getting rich, the proportion of Europe's population in energy poverty has reached 10.6%. Even worse in Greece, which is much higher than the European average, as from 17.9% in 2019 today it has reached 19.2%. It is not allowed to have our fellow citizens who are asked to choose whether they will eat or whether they will warm up. You should propose an effective action plan against energy poverty as a mandatory measure in the NECPs, with specific objectives, timelines, policy instruments and funding. In addition, cheap green energy must finally be shown in our citizens' bills. It is a matter of social justice, but also of strengthening resilience, democracy and our societies.

Mr President, this year marks 50 years since Turkey’s barbaric and illegal invasion of Cyprus, as well as 41 years since the proclamation of the pseudo-state in the occupied territories – 37% of the territory of Cyprus. Turkey, while an accession state, continues not to recognise the Republic of Cyprus and not to implement the Ankara Protocol, preventing the full implementation of the customs union. In recent years, President Erdogan has even abandoned the pretexts, openly saying that the only solution is to accept the faits accomplis of the invasion and recognize the pseudo-state. The beginning was the opening of the enclosed area of Famagusta and Varosha. The European Union and the international community must finally push Turkey for the obvious: respect international law, withdraw occupying troops and settlers and agree on a solution based on UN Security Council resolutions, without guarantees and foreign troops.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the report on strengthening civil and military preparedness comes at a time when our world is becoming even more unpredictable and more dangerous. We are in a constant sequence of geopolitical, economic and environmental crises, with the consequences of the climate crisis becoming more and more powerful, more and more frequent. We should be prepared so that we can tackle them effectively and protect European citizens. Our world is no longer as safe as we would like it to be; We have a duty to protect our citizens from invisible enemies, from conventional and less conventional threats. That is why we welcome Mr Niinistö's report, which can contribute to this. We need a new culture of preparation and preparedness. European institutions, national authorities, European societies – together to build on and expand the resilience goals we have established under the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Adopt a preparedness strategy and legislation, a joint European risk assessment report and a common threat perception – be prepared for the worst-case scenario as well. To ensure that the mutual assistance clause in Article 42(7) TEU is not left "empty", that the European Union can effectively defend its Member States. Strengthen defence cooperation between states by activating common tools and, where necessary, acquiring new ones. And, of course, to realize that together we can do more, faster and more efficiently.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the re-election of Donald Trump is bound to have a decisive impact on international political relations. If his first term in the White House is a foretaste of his second, then we should prepare for a Euro-Atlantic relationship that will probably not be at all calm. Contempt for international law and multilateral organisations – such as the United Nations, relinquishing the drive for the green transition, the new trade war – possibly – between the European Union and the United States, cutting aid to Ukraine and effectively distancing ourselves from alliances such as NATO – are challenges to which we will have to respond. The Union should be able to stand alone in the international environment, not hesitate to take action and protect its economy, its industrial base and, ultimately, its social cohesion. To be able to defend its borders from any kind of threat and from any revisionist force. Finally, it will become strategically autonomous.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, a year after the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas, the risk of a generalised war in the Middle East is growing. The Netanyahu government's intention to change the reality of regional security, rather than closing fronts, opens up new ones and makes the wider region less safe for all. We all want a secure Israel, but constant escalation is not the solution. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza cannot be the solution. As the war continues, as the fronts widen, the risk of widespread inflammation increases, with unpredictable consequences for all. The only option is to continue working for a sustainable peace on the basis of the two-state solution, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. An independent Israel that can provide security for its citizens, an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. We must not allow extremists on all sides to plunge the region into a vicious circle of violence.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, a year ago we all woke up in a nightmare. News of Hamas' abhorrent terrorist attack in southern Israel has made its way around the world. More than 1,180 people from Israel and many other nationalities have died. More than 250 were kidnapped, including 30 children. The condemnation of this terrorist attack, without "yes but", but also without asterisks, is self-evident. We will not stop saying that the hostages should return to their homes and to their own people. Also, from the very beginning we recognized Israel's right to legitimate self-defense and defense of its citizens. But this is not a right that is exercised without limits. There are limits and they are set by international humanitarian law. This is also stated by the International Court of Justice in its opinion. Over the past year, more than 40,000 Palestinians have died, most of them women and children. The entire population of Gaza is threatened by famine and disease. There is no justification for not providing humanitarian aid, food and medical equipment in sufficient numbers. There is no excuse for bombing civilians and refugee camps. There is no excuse for us either if we just watch the pain and annihilation of innocents uninvolved. The blood cycle fuelled by brute force knows no borders, no nationalities, no ages, as shown by the tragic murder of seven unsuspecting civilians, including Ionas Karousis last week in Tel Aviv. A year after the horrific terrorist attacks, the nightmare continues. The need for an immediate ceasefire, for the return of the hostages to their home and for peace in the region is more than timely.

Madam President, the news we receive every day from Gaza is unfortunately dramatic. Almost a year after Hamas' horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, the call for an immediate ceasefire and the return of all hostages to their homes is a necessary condition to stop the humanitarian catastrophe currently occurring. The civilian population of Gaza is the victim of both Hamas and Netanyahu's government policy, which does not hesitate to bomb schools, refugee camps and UN facilities while preventing the entry of necessary supplies. Israel's right to defend itself is self-evident. However, any military operations must not be disproportionately harsh on the civilian population and must comply with international humanitarian law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice. There is no excuse for not providing humanitarian aid, food and medical equipment in sufficient numbers to address the risk of hunger and diseases that are reaping millions of Palestinians. UNRWA has a very important role to play in the effort to meet the basic needs of the people of Gaza, and that is why we must continue to support financially this UN agency that operates in very difficult circumstances. We must not forget that the longer the war continues, the greater the risk of the crisis igniting throughout the wider region of the Middle East. For this reason, we believe in the need for an immediate ceasefire. Europe should take the initiative for an international summit aimed at resuming talks to achieve a sustainable peace agreement. The recent visit of the High Representative to the region, as well as the meeting organised by the Spanish government last weekend, have precisely this objective and must succeed. As a socialist group, we remain convinced that the only viable solution is that of two states: an independent Israel, which would be secure, and an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. We must not allow extreme circles to take advantage of the war and effectively cancel out peace efforts. The large demonstrations in Israel against the Netanyahu government are yet another sign that the policy of sharpening is unsustainable. Finally, it is the responsibility of the international community – and above all the European Union – to push in this direction, with the first immediate aim of agreeing an immediate ceasefire and the return of all hostages.

Mr President, Commissioner, I would like to raise the issue of increased energy prices and the phenomenon of energy poverty. We all see the significant problems of high energy prices in households and industrial consumers, where energy prices are up to six times higher than in the United States. In 2023, there continued to be an increase in households that cannot adequately heat their home. I am deeply disappointed and extremely concerned both by the absence of new measures to remedy this situation and by the absence of any mention of the very high energy prices in south-eastern Europe. The national governments, while they have supported the current regime, are now sending letters to the Commission to justify themselves by renouncing any responsibility on their part. You need to put forward immediate proposals that will remove unfair competition and energy poverty for citizens and businesses in south-eastern Europe. We will assist you in these efforts.

Mr President, it has been 937 days since Russia invaded Ukraine, starting a war of aggression aimed at occupying a country and changing borders by force. An act of aggression that violates every notion of international law. Our steadfast and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine – by providing humanitarian aid but also the necessary military equipment to effectively defend its borders and independence – does not only stem from the need to defend the international legal order. The military aggression in Ukraine is not an isolated event. It is another manifestation of the Russian regime's revisionist effort, which, if successful, will be extended to other countries in Eastern Europe. At the same time, it will open the appetite for other revisionist powers in southeastern Europe to do the same. Forces violating international law and the law of the sea. We must not allow Hungary, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of Ministers, to undermine the provision of military aid. Mr Orbán, instead of visiting Moscow, should unfreeze payments from the Peace Facility. With 80% of the energy infrastructure destroyed or occupied, the Ukrainian people will need our support this winter as well, otherwise they will face a horrific humanitarian catastrophe. Finally, it is unacceptable that we continue to allow theoretically allied countries – such as Turkey – to help circumvent sanctions and continue financing the war with European money. By helping Ukraine cope with Putin's illegal invasion, we are investing in the security and well-being of European citizens.