Debate contributions by Jan FARSKÝ

Madam President, I shall get straight to the point. The Russian regime is waging a hybrid war against Europe. Not tanks, but influence, disinformation and espionage, a reality that has also affected the European Parliament. Germany's AfD assistant MEP is under investigation on suspicion of espionage for China and Russia. Other MEPs faced an investigation over receiving money for advancing Russian interests. A British MP has been sentenced to prison for bribery from Moscow. Most of the traitors are among those with the most national interests. This is not just about Brussels. The Czech secret services have been warning for years that Russia is also influencing Czech politics and public debate through disinformation, contacts and money. I want the Czech Republic and Europe, where our future is decided freely, not by the bribes from Moscow. That is why I support the introduction of control mechanisms not only for us MEPs, but also for our assistants.

Madam President, one of the largest humanitarian crises of our time is happening right before our eyes, and yet, we hardly hear anything about it. I am not talking about Ukraine or Gaza. I am talking about Sudan, where a forgotten conflict is taking place. The screaming of millions of people who are forced to leave their homes – it is almost as if we don't want to hear. Sexual violence and hunger are being used as a weapon. Europe must not remain silent. We need to strengthen our geopolitical presence not only in our diplomatic interests, but above all, in our security needs. We must invest more in peace processes on the ground, support regional partners, and work to ensure that Europe is a real player that can respond to crisis, not just comment on them. If we don't do this, the Russians and Chinese will fill the vacuum and I hope that no one here wants that.

Madam President, dear colleagues, do you find it appropriate to discuss a programme whose main aim is to accelerate and strengthen European defence capabilities in the ongoing war for 22 months? Is this the expected path to increasing Europe's readiness and defence capability? Europe isn't weak, Europe is just fragmented. Too many systems, too many standards. Europe uses 178 weapon systems, while the United States only 30. We face fragmentation that makes us not only less effective, but less defendable as well. EDIP is a necessary step, but it took too long to prepare and the budget is too low. Thank you all for your engagement, but we must not see this as the final goal. This is only the beginning – necessary, but, in the time of Russian aggression in Europe, insufficient. Let us continue and build a European pillar of NATO that will keep Europe safe and prosperous.

Mr President, Russian gas in Europe will end. At last. Only an energy-independent Europe can be safe, strong and prosperous. Most states, including the Czech Republic, have completed their homework and cut themselves off from Russian energy. Even so, last year the Kremlin accounted for about one-fifth of total gas imports to the European Union. Russian gas is neither cheaper nor more profitable. To the prices on the invoice must be added the costs of subjugation and the costs of defending against Russian imperialism. And these are definitely no change, brothers Slovaks and neighbors Hungarians. By purchasing Russian gas, Europe is financing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Let's stop financing the Russian war.

Mr President, in 2021, I was against a strict ban on the sale of new combustion engine cars from 2035. At that time I was a diesel owner and I believed that the market should decide for itself. Today, besides diesel, I am also the owner of the Czech electric car Škoda and my conviction is even stronger – the market will decide. And in line with the leaders of the automotive industry, I am convinced that the future is electric. The question is whether it will be Chinese or European. Instead of endless debates about ending the sale of combustion engine cars in 2035, which the automakers themselves welcomed three years ago, the real offer will decide. If European automakers fail to come up with a competitive and affordable electric car, Chinese cars will flood us, and no regulation changes that. The success or failure of the European automotive industry will not be decided at the round tables of politicians, but directly in car manufacturers, especially in their development departments. And the impact of European brands on the Chinese market should be a serious warning to us.

Madam President, honourable representatives of the Danish Presidency, I welcome the revision of the suspension mechanism for selected visas discussed today. However, I am afraid that it is not enough, because we are facing a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, but also a hybrid, inflammatory war led by the Kremlin against all of us. The Russians are looking for ways to break up our society, to end our support for Ukraine. Imagine a neighbor living in the house next to you. He lives a seemingly ordinary life, goes to work, has children. But then it turns out that he is from Russia and works as a spy for the intelligence services. It's not a script for a movie, it's not fiction, it's reality and it's documented stories. For Russians, the visa regime in Europe is suspended. Agents with diplomatic cover are still flowing in. Through one country – the Trojan horse – they reach everywhere. We do not have any restrictions on their movement within Schengen, but we should have them. The Czech Republic has been calling for restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats for more than two years. Now it seems that there could finally be a consensus on this and this security measure will be part of the 19th sanctions package. Dear colleagues, appeal to your governments and ministers to finally put a stop to the Russians.

Madam President, every chain is only as strong as its weakest link. And every country is only as strong as its weakest region. That is why we must not neglect regions where people are forced to move to centres en masse for employment. We are dealing in one place with a lack of capacity in the healthcare sector, while in another we have a lack of capacity in the healthcare sector. There is a growing problem with housing inaccessibility and congested transport. Therefore, we must take care of such conditions so that people do not have to leave their city, their region, in order to fulfil their potential, so that they have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills here. The chances of success simply do not depend on the postal code. Many have forgotten about the regions and the people in them. I am very glad that this is not the case with the Mayors and Independents movement, of which I am a proud Vice-President. We are aware of the importance of the regions and the quality of life in them. The largest capital of the Czech Republic and the whole of Europe is in people. We must not lose their qualities simply because we, the politicians, have not allowed them to succeed. Not to lead them by the hand, but to give them a chance. If we don't, later rescues are extremely costly and won't repair the damage. The European Union has the tools to do so. It is up to us how we use them and whether we give people the opportunity to succeed for them or whether we build a lookout tower in the valley for them. The decision is ours.

Mr President, do you use a cell phone? I'm sure you do. Most certainly you will find parts in it which come from Congo, from a country that is consumed by a conflict for more than a decade. Rwanda-supported militias took over the Congolese strategic areas. Every four minutes, a woman was raped – every four minutes. It seems now that we have a deal between Congo and Rwanda. It should be an opportunity for Europe. Africa has its own experience with Russian occupation and modern Chinese feudalism. Europe, on the other hand, offers a partnership. I've been to Congo and I can confirm that Europe is seen as a solid partner. The European initiative – the Global Gateway – is based on cooperation, not dependence. As a shadow rapporteur, I'm glad I can shape how the Global Gateway works.

Mr President, only 25% of Czechs support the adoption of the euro. In terms of the common currency, we are at our worst in the whole of the Union. And why? After all, the Crown will not protect our sovereignty, nor will it defend us from outside interference. But we are still fixated on it. The euro is the second most important currency in global markets. The role of the European Central Bank is to safeguard and protect the euro area, which is crucial especially in view of the current situation in the world. Moreover, the digital euro project can also contribute to Europe’s strategic autonomy. Its instruments could also be used by countries outside the euro area, including the Czech Republic. I want to believe that not only this experience would help to de-demonize the common European currency. This negative attitude is one of our failures. The Czech Republic has been in the European Union for over 20 years. I hope it won't take us another 20 years to pay with the euro. By hesitation, we lose the safety anchor that can keep us in the West out of the clutches of the East.

Madam President, dear colleagues, we must protect European citizens. Our rivals, and especially Russia, are increasing the pressure on us, concretely in the Baltic region. And I am sorry to say, but words are not enough. The GPS signal jamming is one of many examples. The Russians are targeting civilian planes in the region. Every week, tens of thousands of passengers, European citizens, are threatened by our enemies. If someone says that Putin is not targeting Europe, then what is this? Let's be clear: our society is a legitimate target of European hybrid activities. Words of condemnation are no longer enough. We need an immediate, unified and decisive response. We must strengthen our defence capabilities, modernise its measures and, above all, protect our citizens from this aggression. History will judge us by our actions, not by our declarations.

Madam President, colleagues, citizens want and need affordable and clean cars. This is a simple political reality that many, from politicians to car manufacturers, seem to be forgetting and ignoring. Where is the affordable version of the European electric car? Where is the new Volkswagen Beetle, an affordable electric car that will be able to compete with cheap Chinese imports? Europe should focus on innovation. Our workers and economy were left behind when companies moved their factories to China a few years ago to make a quick profit. They transferred their knowhow there and Chinese car makers have improved it. Now they are ahead of Europe in this regard. Under the current rules, which are in force since 2019, fleet emissions in Europe are set to be reduced starting next year. Nevertheless, there is a justified fear that European car manufacturers will not fulfil the limit and will have to pay a penalty. But disregarding the rules must not pay off. This is not just about making higher profits next year, it is about long-term commitment. Our society depends on following the rules. We do not need to bend the rules. We need a European affordable electric car. Without our own affordable cars, Europe will be flooded with cheap Chinese imports and will end up like Detroit did.

Mr President, three deaths, seven missing people, flooded cities, flooded houses, evacuations and thousands of households without electricity. This is the real picture left behind by the floods in the Czech Republic. I am originally from Semily, located in the north of the Republic, an area that has been affected by 100-year water – the third 100-year water in the last twenty-seven years. We are also a border region, and the more I perceive the situation with our Polish neighbours, who had to deal with ruptured flood dams. Such large-scale disasters demonstrate the importance of solidarity. We are not alone in disaster. Aid has been offered by war-affected Ukraine, Israel and the United States. Almost the whole of Europe is in solidarity. The European Union can help through the Solidarity Fund, the rescEU civil protection mechanism. These instruments will help to cover part of the damage caused by the devastating floods. I hope that this helping hand will reach the Czech Republic as soon as possible and that thanks to this, not only Czechs will realize that the European Union is not only here in bad weather.