Debate contributions by Viktória FERENC

Mr. President, please. The war in Ukraine, which has been going on for almost four years, is both a geopolitical and a health challenge for Europe. In addition to frontline and hinterland residents, the population of EU border regions is also affected. As a result of the conflict, the burden on healthcare systems and uncontrolled movements are already showing an increased risk of spreading HIV and hepatitis infections. It is therefore particularly important to ensure unhindered access to vaccines and preventive health services in border areas. At the same time, we must not forget that the only real solution to the suffering and insecurity caused by war is peace. Only in this way will we be able to create the stability that presupposes safe access to the necessary treatments and vaccines for patients everywhere in Europe.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear Members, the Commission proposal is not an investment agenda, it is economic suicide, a political illusion that will destroy our competitiveness. Europe does not need a new target. Instead, it needs stability, innovation and affordable energy. The proposal is the same failed Green Deal recipe. This is not ambition, but arrogance. Some in this House ignore reality and live in their own green Brussels bubble, while Europe faces high energy prices, deindustrialisation and citizens are paying the price. You talk about investment security, yet nothing could be further from the truth. We cannot rebuild trust while destroying the industries that keep Europe alive. We won't save the planet by bankrupting our own people. The target is not a pathway to climate neutrality, but leads to further decline. That is why we must reject it.

Thank you for the question. With regard to Ukraine's accession to the EU, I believe, precisely with regard to my minority Hungarian origin, that this issue is not timely at the moment, since the rights of Transcarpathian Hungarians and other national minorities are not currently settled in Ukraine. This is described in the basic documents of the European Union, in the Copenhagen criteria, as the number one condition for the accession of Ukraine. That is my view on this issue.

Mr. President, please. In Ukraine, a Ukrainian flag flies on the graves of those who died in the war. In September, when I visited the Calvary Cemetery in my hometown of Uzhhorod, I was greeted by a heartbreaking sight. Silent silence, names of Ukrainian and Hungarian fallen, endless waves of flags. And if it's just one of many cemeteries. How many more people have to die? There is no family in the country without loss and grief caused by the nearly four years of war. Young and old are experiencing physical and mental suffering. The people of Ukraine, including Transcarpathian Hungarians, want peace, security and tranquility. Why don't their leaders hear this? We Hungarians consistently and persistently stand up for the cause of peace by opposing pro-war forces. Despite these attacks, we are firmly committed to an early ceasefire and peace talks to save lives and stop suffering. We need to create at least a chance for peace as soon as possible. This is also your duty. Don't stop him!

Madam President, I'm sorry. I welcome the fact that the Council has also put the issue of climate law on the agenda. This is indeed a key issue, not only for the climate, but also for Europe's competitiveness. We hope that the debate will end with concrete conclusions and not just political statements. European businesses and citizens need affordable energy, not additional burdens such as ETS2. Before the upcoming Cop30, it is important to say that the EU is already at the forefront of reducing emissions, but we are only responsible for 6% of the world's total emissions, and compared to this, we are taking a disproportionate burden. It is time for big emitters, such as China, to take real responsibility. Adopting another ideologically defined goal will not help the planet, it will only threaten European competitiveness. We hope that the Council will see this in tomorrow's hearing.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos recently visited Ukraine, where she also met representatives of national minorities. Today I asked for the floor to say that at this meeting the representatives who really stood up for the rights of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia were not allowed to speak. According to the Commissioner, the country has fulfilled its homework and therefore calls for the opening of clusters of EU accession negotiations. However, as a Transcarpathian MEP of Hungarian origin, I know that the situation of national minorities in Ukraine remains unsettled. The homework, i.e. the so-called 11 points listed in Ukraine’s Negotiating Box and, more broadly, the Copenhagen criteria, have not yet been met. Meanwhile, the EU is criticising Hungary's policy of protecting national minorities, while it is Brussels who, in pursuit of its geopolitical interests, is unhesitatingly sacrificing its own Copenhagen principles and trying to change the decision-making rules currently in force in the accession process, endangering the sovereignty of its own Member States. We can't let that happen.

Dear fellow Member, Thank you very much for your contribution. I find it very unfortunate and saddening that you are using the shortcomings to create a continuous mood, and allow me to share some additional data with you in this half-second, which I have at my disposal, as all families in Hungary are protected by the reduction of household utility charges, for example, and the home renovation programme will provide savings for families in the long run. In addition, the Jedlik Ányos Energy Programme will support Hungarian families with a state grant of HUF 440 billion from 2025.

Dear Mr President, Dear Commission, The heatwaves of the past summer pose a serious challenge across Europe. Forest fires, the overburdening of health systems and the tragic deaths of many of our fellow citizens show that we need to act urgently. The EU Preparedness Strategy provides an important framework, but beyond that, we need to ensure the resilience of health and housing – while respecting, of course, the competences of the Member States. Hungary sets a good example: the latest energy programme will help hundreds of thousands of households replace natural gas with heat pumps and renewable energy, while the home renovation programme will provide millions of grants for insulation, door and window replacement and solar energy investments. Addressing the housing crisis and strengthening our health systems is a common European duty.

Dear Madam President, It is important that the title of today's debate, by mentioning the word peace, finally reflects what is important to people. People in Europe and Ukraine want peace. They have been suffering for too long - and not only do they suffer, but they also die on the battlefield or as a result of inhumane treatment already experienced during drafting. In addition to the horrors of war, Transcarpathian Hungarians also suffer from the restriction of their rights. The intimidating, anti-Hungarian inscriptions have returned. They are subject to discriminatory treatment when crossing borders in a country aspiring to the EU. Meanwhile, the report biasedly praises Ukraine's ostentatious actions against national minorities and calls on Hungary to disregard the European Union's Copenhagen criteria. This is unacceptable. Hungary respects the conditions of accession to the European Union, promotes the rights of national minorities and promotes peace. This can rightly be expected of you as well. Enough with the double standard.

Dear Madam President, Dear Commissioner, This citizens' initiative is a common concern of indigenous national minorities. Its success is vital not only for the approximately 50 million people affected in the European Union, but it can also give hope to national minorities living outside the EU, sending the message that the EU is finally standing up for its traditional cultural and linguistic diversity, in fact and in practice. This can even save people's lives. Identity, especially cultural, national and linguistic identity, is one of the strongest psychological protective factors in crisis situations. Such a crisis is the war in Ukraine, where Transcarpathian Hungarians are dying not only on the battlefield, but also in the hinterland. As has happened in recent days due to forced recruitments. Unfortunately, we can no longer bring back the dead, but it is important to emphasize: The mental integration of the surviving cannot work in cultural neutrality. This should also be taken into account in the development of EU mental health support instruments in Ukraine.

Dear Madam President, Dear Commissioner, Summer is the peak of forest fires in some parts of Europe, while other regions, including Hungary, are also affected by severe drought. My country's government is making serious efforts to mitigate the effects of drought, not abandoning farmers. The irrigable area was 150,000 hectares in 2020 and 250,000 hectares last year. Farmers received 176 billion forints for irrigation development. The extreme weather challenges make it clear: We need a European Union that is prepared for natural disasters and able to provide effective, rapid and coordinated assistance, while respecting the sovereignty of the Member States. In crisis situations, local and rapid reactions are needed, not additional bureaucracy. We need cooperation, not another transfer of power to Brussels.

Dear Mr President, Exactly one year ago, accession negotiations began with Ukraine, and following the success of Hungarian diplomacy, our eleven-point proposals for the protection of the Transcarpathian Hungarian community living in Western Ukraine were integrated into the general accession negotiation framework. Thus, the protection of the rights of Transcarpathian Hungarians has officially become part of Ukraine's accession process. However, we are disappointed to see that no substantial progress has been made on this issue in the past 365 days, but only pseudo-measures have been taken. Although the Kiev leadership adopted the action plan for the protection of the rights of national minorities, the largest advocacy organisation of the Transcarpathian Hungarian community was not involved in the negotiations in a discriminatory manner. So you, my colleagues, when European Union leaders and politicians turn a blind eye to, and even support, Ukraine's window measures affecting its national minorities, you are jeopardising the credibility of the EU institutions and, in fact, you are obstructing the real democratisation of Ukraine.

Dear Madam President, I also cannot stand by the fact that a man criticizes child protection in Hungary who listened to his own wife, the mother of his children, in his own home, and thus started his political career. He's not even in there to hear me say that Hungary has the strictest child protection laws in Europe. The government has abolished the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against children, introduced a pedophile registry. It has strengthened victim support networks and prevention in the digital space, because we are convinced that the physical, psychological and digital safety of children is a fundamental human right. We all have a responsibility to create a safer and healthier environment for children, both online and offline. Hungary not only participates in this, but also sets an example.

Mr. President, please. Today we remember the end of World War II and the victims, soldiers and civilians who experienced and suffered the horrors of one of the darkest periods in our history. How ironic it is that, while we praise the peace that came 80 years ago in the neighbourhood of the Union, the Russian-Ukrainian war, which has been raging for more than three years, is still killing people. There is no peace without dialogue, says Pope Francis, who fought until the last day of his life to bring peace to the world, including Ukraine. Hungary has also taken this position from the outset. We need to work together through diplomatic means, political support and joint efforts to silence the noise of weapons. The population of Ukraine has been suffering for too long.

Madam President, I'm sorry. On the 1169th day of the war, we finally reached the point of talking about peace in the European Parliament. Through stronger diplomatic efforts, the EU could have played a huge role in not waiting until now and in preventing tragedy. However, it is no stranger to the left-liberal majority that controls the European Union to distance itself from reality, to ignore facts if its geopolitical interests so require. This is evidenced by statements made in recent weeks by certain EU politicians and decision-makers, which distort reality and claim that the rights of the Transcarpathian Hungarian community in Western Ukraine are fully guaranteed and that Ukraine has fully fulfilled its commitments in the area of minority rights. I, too, am one of the 150,000 Transcarpathian Hungarians, and I would like to point out that these statements seriously distort the facts and are misleading. I therefore call on EU leaders and politicians to refrain from making such false statements, which not only undermine the credibility of the Union, but also hinder the real democratisation of Ukraine.

Mr. President, please. The report on which today's debate is based is a welcome initiative, as there is no future without water. Factors raised in their interventions, including increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions, increasing water demand and droughts, have highlighted the need for a much more conscious management. There are also positive examples in Hungary, such as our flood protection traditions and programmes based on water retention, such as the Water in the Landscape programme. They show how to protect water resources at the same time as ensuring the competitiveness of the economy, especially agriculture. We believe that agriculture is not the problem, but part of the solution, and that farmers are our partners in sustainable water management, provided that regulations do not make it impossible, but encourage them to do so. This report is a good starting point, but it also has a number of shortcomings, such as respect for national specificities and practical feasibility. We hope that the Commission will take these aspects into account. We are ready for dialogue.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this is the first blue card in this debate, and I would also like to say that I am very sad that your delegation is using these debates in the European Parliament to attack the Hungarian Government for campaign purposes. On the one hand, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that, here in the European Parliament, we should rather talk about solutions. In Hungary, between 5 000 and 8 000 people suffer from rare diseases, of which between 6 000 and 7 000 have been diagnosed. So this is a very complex issue, and I would like to encourage you to follow closely Hungary's second national plan for the treatment of rare diseases.

Dear Mr President, Today we are talking about an important topic that is estimated to affect 30 million people in the EU, yet is often neglected in public discourse. Imagine what it must feel like to be confronted with a diagnosis that hardly anyone has heard of and for which hardly any treatment is available. It is about rare diseases. In addition to the Member States, it is the responsibility of the European Union to ensure timely access to diagnosis and appropriate treatment. That is why we support the Commission's action plan on rare diseases. This is not only a health issue, but also a social one, as the diagnosis is physically and mentally debilitating for both those affected and their family members. I also attach great importance to strengthening and expanding the ERNs. The Hungarian Presidency last year also made this topic a priority, promoting dialogue at European level and better care for stakeholders. I call on the Commission to support Member States in further developing their diagnostic and care capacities.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The European automotive industry is on the brink of a gap. The industry is facing serious competitiveness problems and is lagging behind in the global market. Energy prices triggered by the war and excessive green regulations imposed by the Commission make it impossible for a sustainable but competitive automotive industry to operate. Unfortunately, the action plan presented by the Commission is a missed opportunity. On the one hand, it arrived late, on the other hand, it is not comprehensive enough. The strategic dialogue has, shamefully, failed to properly consult all stakeholders in the industry, and this direction remains unchanged. The automotive industry is being held captive by an excessive and inflexible regulatory system. In addition to eliminating unnecessary and destructive penalties, there is a need for positive incentives. Reduce energy prices, strengthen recharging infrastructure and support all alternative fuel types. Europe needs a strong automotive industry.

Madam President, I'm sorry. In recent years, shortages of critical medicines have become more frequent due to problems in supply chains. This is due to geopolitical factors such as the Russian-Ukrainian war or the coronavirus pandemic, as well as excessive concentration of production and sourcing of raw materials in Asia. Stakeholders had the opportunity to express their views and wishes within the framework of the Critical Medicines Association. We welcome the fact that the Commission has conducted this dialogue and that its proposal reflects the strategic report. The availability and affordability of medicines is of paramount importance to improve the situation of patients, while ensuring the competitiveness and resilience of the European pharmaceutical industry. It is important to stress that the Critical Medicines Act should not increase the administrative burden and that there should be no legal overlap with, for example, the part dealing with medicine package shortages. I welcome the proposal presented and thank Commissioner Várhelyi and his team for preparing it so quickly.

Dear Mr President, War, war, war. We've been hearing this from the media every day for three years. It's terrible to say, but we're getting used to it. We have learned to live with the fact that war is raging in Europe. However, for the population of Ukraine, this is not only a staggering statistic, a terrible recording of what is happening on the battlefield, but also part of their everyday reality. War affects not only the physical state of the country, but also the state of mind of the people, with a serious and irrevocable effect. Millions have left their homes, families have been torn apart, children have grown up without fathers, women have been forced to become family supporters. The population has been reduced by about half. He's exhausted and hopeless. Today, there is only one thing that sustains society: Hope for peace as soon as possible. We know, however, that lasting peace is not born in the noise of weapons, but at the negotiating table. The European Union must become an ambassador of peace for its original purpose. We need a ceasefire and peace talks, and we do not need to support a protracted war that will result in the loss of human lives. It is our duty to create peace, to put an end to human suffering and to protect the mental health of children and young people growing up in the shadow of war, so that they can finally start building a future for them.

Oh, Mr. President. It is unacceptable that politicians in some EU candidate countries who stand up for the rights and interests of their communities are subjected to intimidation and pressure. Unfortunately, this is also the case in Ukraine, where a website, Myrotvorets, has been operating undisturbed with the knowledge of the authorities for years. The so-called list of deaths and enemies published on the website included a number of people, including women politicians, who took steps to restore the rights of the Transcarpathian Hungarian community. The website has unlawfully disclosed the confidential information of individuals, putting their security at risk. The website also listed Andrea Bocskor, a Transcarpathian MEP from the previous term, for standing up for the rights of national minorities. This makes it impossible for him to return to his own home. Despite the fact that the operation of the website has been condemned by some senior officials of the European Union and called for the removal of the content, the Ukrainian authorities have not yet taken the necessary steps. The European Union should be more vigilant to ensure that such sites do not operate in candidate countries that are committed to democratic values. A candidate country must ensure a political environment free from intimidation, the right to the protection of personal data and the obligation to prevent all forms of hate speech.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The basis of human life is clean drinking water. Our bodies are 60 percent water. Without this liquid treasure, we will only survive for a few days at most. Yet millions of citizens in the European Union do not have access to clean drinking water. Adequate drinking water supply for pregnant women and children is a particularly serious issue. Climate change, pollution and unsustainable agricultural practices are all seriously threatening our water resources. Water supply, on the other hand, is energy-intensive. The economic crisis affecting European industry, to which the war contributed, has only made access to drinking water more expensive for Europeans. Hungary's Basic Law guarantees the right to health, and in particular highlights the provision of access to healthy drinking water, while one of the most affordable, clean drinking water is available to households. Since 2007, all settlements have access to drinking water, 95 percent of households are connected to the mains water network, which makes good quality water available. I welcome the fact that the Drinking Water Directive introduces for the first time an obligation at EU level to assess and improve access to safe drinking water. Safe and affordable drinking water for all is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right.