Debate contributions by Wouter BEKE

Mr Gozi, I think that when it comes to making Europe stronger, it is about two important things. That is to strengthen and increase the competitiveness of our industry. We need to move forward, not back. Or we lose our industry. If 1 million jobs in Europe have been lost in the last four years, if 1 million jobs have been lost in competitiveness, that is more than a wake-up call. And then, when it comes to omnibuses, for example, we have to take steps forward to ensure that these companies stay here. A second important challenge is to ensure that we have a European defence. I hope I can have a partner in that in you, because I know that the far right will not be a partner in that.

Mr President, the summit in Berlin brought progress for peace in Ukraine. Let's hope; Let's cross our fingers. Under Friedrich Merz's leadership, Europe has once again fought in the peace process. That in itself is a good thing. But there is also an uncomfortable question: Why did this not happen under the leadership of the President of the European Commission? The answer is painfully clear: because foreign policy remains the painful Achilles heel of our European Union. Because let's be honest, we will no longer be able to count on the United States. We will have to take our own security into our hands. That is what President von der Leyen said earlier. We'll have to do it ourselves. In addition to Article 5, the European Treaties include Article 42(7): mutual assistance, by all means in our power. But the question is: What does that mean in concrete terms today? Today, that means nothing. It's an empty box. Why is it an empty box? Because we don't have European defence. Without defence, we are not really at the table, but rather part of the menu, as has been shown in the past. Much has already been said about the financial support to Ukraine. Leaders must find a solution in the coming days that both supports Ukraine and ensures and strengthens our security, without exposing one country to all possible legal risks, but it requires cooperation, European responsibility and solidarity, rather than pointing a finger at Belgium.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, there is a lot of talk about the importance of a strong European defence. We are not going to defend ourselves by talking alone. We must therefore add the deed to the word. That is exactly what we are doing with this proposal and with the various initiatives that Commissioner Kubilius is taking in this regard. Indeed, an important step towards this is the mini-omnibus, which opens up European civilian research programmes such as Horizon Europe or the Digital Europe Programme to dual use, allowing us to further strengthen our defence investments. Seemingly a small step, but with great effects. This not only destroys the artificial walls between different research areas, but also strengthens cooperation between companies within and outside the defence sector, which will lead to interesting cross-fertilisations. The number of innovations that have been made in this way in the past within a military context is almost endless. Think of the internet, the microwave, GPS. In Europe, too, we must continue to focus on technological progress. That is why we are opening the doors to companies from the defence industry, in order to be able to share their know-how with the civil industry and vice versa. Colleagues, we all agree that we need to invest better and more in defence. However, we need to do this in a smart and balanced way. This means working towards European cooperation and avoiding overlap. This omnibus is a step in the right direction, but it is not an end point. If we want to make Europe competitive and resilient, we will have to continue to focus on a strong European industry, including in the field of defence. Let this be a good start.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, critical raw materials are the invisible backbone of modern life. Without these materials, no defense production, no electric cars, no windmills, no microchips. Europe's future therefore depends on access to the very raw materials that others are now using as a tool of power. For example, China controls large parts of global mining, refining and processing. A single export restriction and an entire European sector could collapse, with hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake. President Xi has long recognized that the country is willing to use that leverage as well. Now that the United States has been able to obtain a temporary suspension of its export restrictions, we now seem to be doubly dependent: We are leaning on China for our supplies and on Washington to keep Beijing in check. Without access to critical raw materials, we lose not only our competitiveness, but also our political autonomy. It is therefore high time for Europe to be able to pursue a straight and decisive policy, based on new partnerships, reinforced by recycling and new refining and production lines.

Mr President, the agreement we are discussing here today does not come a day too early. For too long, our collective security has been undermined by national fragmentation and inefficiency. With EDIP, we are now taking an important step forward towards further integration of our industry, and therefore also our European security. But this shouldn't be an end point. What we are discussing and approving today is necessary, but insufficient. There is still a lot of work to be done to achieve genuine European cooperation. Not with the intention of simply throwing taxpayers' money over the line, but with the intention of using these scarce resources as efficiently as possible. To efficiently protect our citizens from the hybrid and military threats on European territory. If Europe wants to protect its citizens, it needs soft power. But it also needs a lot of power. And that hard power will only come if it is used for a real European defence. Let's all work together.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, every euro that goes to Russian gas or oil in Russia is a euro that feeds Putin’s war. Today we say ‘enough!’. By 2027 we will close the crane permanently. Not only out of necessity, but also out of conviction. That is a historic decision, because it is not only about energy, but also about moral responsibility and strategic independence. Europe takes that responsibility, because it is about values, about peace and about security. And I hope that the Council will also take that responsibility. But this choice also requires a vision, Commissioner. The Commission must diversify and strengthen partnerships so that we do not simply shift our dependence, but become truly more autonomous in terms of our energy. And it must urgently, very urgently, provide affordable energy for families and for businesses. Today, Europe is opting for peace, for Ukraine, for responsibility and for greater autonomy.

Mr President, Ukraine is our first-line European defence today and deserves our full support. Whatever it takes. But there is a temptation: the quick and easy solution, namely to seize the frozen Russian assets. They look a bit like crown jewels that are in a glass cabinet, secure or not. But they are not, because unlike crown jewels, the frozen assets yield interest, which can be used to pay G7 loans for Ukraine. Remember, we can only use that money once: either for military support, or soon for the reconstruction of Ukraine. On the other hand, there is a bold choice, namely a proposal for a structural European Ukraine Fund. If we Europeanise 2% of our defence spending, we can mobilise EUR 150 billion. EUR 150 billion, while continuing to use interest for Ukraine and supporting Ukraine militarily and financially, and frozen assets can be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the Gaza agreement and the release of the hostages gave a spark of hope. But today we see again how fragile that hope is and how fragile the ceasefire is in reality. Sustainable peace is more than the temporary silence of arms. Without perspective, without justice and without reconstruction, each stock remains temporary. This is where Europe's responsibility lies. Europe must take the lead by accelerating humanitarian aid, for which we have the funds; by supporting the reconstruction of Gaza; by continuing to put pressure on Hamas and Israel, we have packages of sanctions for that, and by working towards a credible two-state solution, we have the diplomats for that. The new pact for the Mediterranean can usher in a new European direction, but only with strong and concrete measures. We were not present at the conclusion of the agreement or the file. Let us not be absent from its implementation, and use all European resources to that end.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, the European chemicals sector is going through a severe storm. The worst storm since the financial crisis. Just to give you an idea: in the port of Antwerp, in my country, the largest chemical cluster in Europe, the installations only run at 65% of their capacity. This is the lowest level in 44 years. Production volumes are falling, investments are shifting to the United States or Asia. And also in my country, companies such as BASF, ExxonMobil or TotalEnergies announced that they would join or restructure. However, the broad chemical sector in Belgium accounts for one-fifth of industrial employment and one-third of our exports. In that context, we must support any proposal that simplifies the life of our chemical cluster. Today's proposals are not a panacea, but they are a step in the right direction. They streamline procedures and safety assessment, reduce administrative burdens for businesses and ensure faster and more efficient decisions on chemicals. With one assessment per substance, as you have indicated, and a common platform, we strengthen both the protection of people and the environment and the competitiveness of our industry. Less paperwork, more innovation, faster procedures. That is what our European industry, and certainly the chemical industry, needs today. All the support.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, two years ago, Hamas carried out a terrible attack on innocent Israeli citizens. 1,200 dead, slaughtered in their homes, on the street and at a festival. Dozens of hostages are still trapped. It's inhuman. We must do everything we can to free them and support all initiatives to do so. However, one crime still does not justify the other. What Israel has unleashed in Gaza since then is not only disproportionate, but equally inhumane. Tens of thousands dead. Whole families have been bombed away. We must continue to condemn this as strongly as we do. We hope that the current talks are a germ for peace. Every step to stop this madness is a step forward. But what then? A ceasefire is not peace. Sustainable peace can only come with a two-state solution – with Israel ending illegal settlements – and with mutual recognition in the region and genuine self-government for Palestine. The European Union's mission is to contribute to this.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, dear Rémy and Raïssa, Victoire Ingabire is a Rwandan politician who spent 15 years in the Netherlands as a political refugee. And she's not the only one. It's the third time in a few months that we've been here. The first time was for Jean-Jacques Wondo in Congo, then for Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic. And now it is about the fate of Victoire Ingabire, as well as her colleagues in Rwanda. Together with her colleagues, she wanted to make a reasonable counter-narrative in Rwandan politics, precisely with the aim of restoring the rule of law and safeguarding human rights again, and this in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. Cynically, she, together with her colleagues, is subjected to arbitrary and unjustified detention. In the meantime, we see Visit Rwanda on many football jerseys appear and the World Cycling Championships are organized in Kigali. Isn't that in stark contrast to the repression of the political opposition, of dissenters? We cannot allow that. The immediate release of Victoire Ingabire and her colleagues is a first but also necessary step in the right direction for Rwanda.

Mr President, Commissioner, the new Chinese import tariffs of 60% on pigmeat are a severe blow to our farmers. Belgium threatens to get the highest rate, while our farmers barely had access to the Chinese market during the period under review. This is not just an unfair commercial practice. That is pure geopolitical pressure and an attempt to separate Member States. Farmers should not be penalised by European plans to introduce additional levies on electric cars from China. We can't allow ourselves to be blackmailed. Commissioner, you are Commissioner for Defence. Our farmers also need someone to defend their interests. All the more so because import duties are not the only problem. The levies come on top of European environmental rules, less agricultural budget and farmers' fear of Mercosur and so on. All this while we are all convinced that strategic autonomy is so important. Our farmers deserve security so that we can remain competitive on that global market and guarantee our food security. That is why I hope that you will take these concerns with you and that measures will be taken against these levies and also measures to support the agricultural sector.

Mr President, Mrs Kallas, ladies and gentlemen, 6,000 deaths – five weeks ago – we were discussing the war in Gaza. Then we asked: When's that gonna stop? 6 000 people were killed. When will Europe finally take action? When are we going to suspend that trade agreement, that association agreement? When will we put pressure on Israel? When will we implement this import ban from the occupied territories? When will we implement a European entry ban? This has to stop! Some Member States, including Belgium, are taking initiatives. But Europe remains deaf. Well, Europe cannot remain deaf. If Europe has any moral responsibility, it must act now. This is what we are doing with Ukraine. We must do the same with regard to the atrocities that are taking place in Gaza. Mr President, Mrs Kallas, take your responsibility, take action and make sure that we do not have to discuss again here next month and say: Another 5,000 people were killed.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, our compatriot Joseph Figueira Martin has been unjustly detained in the Central African Republic for more than a year. For 411 days, 411 nights, he, his family, his friends have been tormented by uncertainty. All this time he has been tortured, isolated, threatened with death, without any future prospects. It goes without saying that his physical and mental health is rapidly deteriorating. And why? Well, Joseph Figueira Martin came to work for a humanitarian organization to support the local population in the field of health care and education. As always in his professional career, with a passion for the region and a belief in a better future for ordinary people. But that was outside the Wagner group. Colleagues, we all know the stories of this paramilitary organization that spread a lot of horrors in the world from Russia. Joseph Figueira Martin was also kidnapped by the Wagner Group and wrongly accused of espionage and terrorism. These allegations were taken over by the Central African authorities without any evidence. For 411 days without reason, without evidence, imprisoned, tortured. We must put a stop to this. In addition, Russian influence in the Central African Republic is also worrying and afflicting not only Joseph Figueira Martin, but also many others. It is not only a matter of harsh repression through the Wagner Group, but also of extensive disinformation campaigns aimed at weakening Europe. Just as we reaffirm our support to support the security services in the country there. Colleagues, there is already a lot of work to be done in the Central African Republic and that will have to be done step by step. A first step is the release of this innocent European citizen, who only came to share his expertise in the country with the most noble intentions. I ask you all to support this resolution en masse tomorrow, so that Joseph Figueira Martin can return home after more than a year of unjust imprisonment. His family and himself will thank you.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, at the beginning of this year, the violence in eastern Congo flared up again horribly, and we saw the horrific images on television. But actually, we've been seeing these horrific images on television for thirty years. Now a peace deal has been signed. That is a good step in itself, but also a step with a number of questions. The first question, Commissioner, was: Where is Europe in this conflict? Where were we? Was this a peace deal or was this a mineral deal and will at the end of the ride only the mineral deal remain and will the peace deal disappear again? I think that's a crucial question. A question that we as Europe may be able to push in the right direction by ensuring that we will sit down at that table in the future. Because a peace has been signed there, but a number of crucial players, colleagues, do not give at home. The rebel group M23 says: We do not feel held and bound by this peace deal. That, of course, is the essence of the matter. Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I call on everyone and I also call on you. I call on the European Union. I call on the High Commissioner, the High Representative, to pay more attention to this conflict together. A conflict that has been raging for decades, a conflict that has already claimed millions of deaths, a conflict - you yourself mentioned that - that involves moving 2.5 million internally, in that region alone. There is a peace deal today. That can be positive. Make sure it doesn't become a mineral deal like in Ukraine. We can only do that by sitting at the table as Europe itself, because it is in our interest.

President, Commissioner, colleagues, tariff increases are political placebos, Professor Richard Baldwin said. Economic nonsense that serves a political purpose. Unlike President Trump, we should not believe in these placebos. Europe’s focus should be: protecting our prosperity, our jobs and the income of our people. Europe does not benefit from escalation. A deal may also limit the damage to our businesses, SMEs and countless jobs. Take this responsibility, Commissioner, but not at the expense of one sector. Distribute the burden across sectors and across Member States. But even with a deal, we as Europe must invest fully in our economy, our independence and our competitiveness. The IMF calculated that European trade barriers cost us EUR 1 700 billion annually. Removing them could bring in EUR 3 800 per European. So, commissioner, deal or no deal? Europe must protect our jobs, our prosperity and the income of our people.

Mr President, Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, in this hemisphere we often talk about strategic autonomy when it comes to our defence, when it comes to our food, when it comes to our medicines. The message is always: We need to be able to take more control in order to protect our citizens in the future. This also applies to critical raw materials. Without ever realizing it, they have become the invisible engine of our society. Because without critical raw materials, no smartphones, no electric cars, no windmills. Just for those critical raw materials, we are incredibly dependent on China: 90 %. So we are not really talking about a mere trade imbalance. No, it's about a strategic weakness that China is using. Because China determines whether and in what way critical raw materials can and should be used in Europe. Well, this is unacceptable. At the upcoming EU-China summit, it cannot business as usual be. Europe must not become Beijing's plaything and must therefore be on the table as far as critical materials are concerned, as you have just done, Madam President.

Mr President, Commissioner, 'European policymakers will be jointly responsible for my death'. That is what Mr Djalali said in April, exactly nine years after his arrest in Iran. When he was arrested, his son was four years old. Today he is 13 years old. Mr. Djalali has been imprisoned in Evin Prison for nine years. Nine years. Nine years without his family. Nine years of torture, disease, heart failure, malnutrition. Nine years without medical care. Nine years of missed chances of release. Every day can be the last. If Iran does not execute him, he will die from the consequences of hardship. What about us? We're watching. When will Europe stop looking away? When does Europe really intervene to get this innocent man free? It's not five to twelve anymore; It's not 12 hours anymore. It's half a. He needs to be released. Now. Immediately.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, our electricity grid is the most integrated in the world. And yet today we find it painful that it is not adapted to the reality of the 21st century. Once it was built on fossil raw materials and centralized production. But today we are in a new era: wind and solar energy in addition to nuclear energy. That from electric vehicles to water pumps and digitization. If we do nothing, we not only miss our climate targets, but we also expose ourselves to new energy crises. This is how we undermine our economic growth of tomorrow. The need is high. Citizens and businesses demand affordable, reliable and clean power. Local communities want to contribute to renewable energy projects. That is why we urgently need to do three things: 1. Invest in the electricity grid on a large scale with sufficient support for cross-border projects. 2. Accelerate permitting procedures and ensure that European environmental rules support rather than block the energy transition. 3. Stimulate stability and flexibility and reward citizens and businesses investing in renewable energy. Colleagues, the electricity grid is not an afterthought. It is the backbone of our future. Invest now or we run the risk of going backwards grandiosely.

Mr President, Madam High Representative, we can have a whole debate on the NATO summit here and that is particularly important. But actually, the question is: In the meantime, what can we as Europe do ourselves? We need to invest smartly and Europeanly. That is to say: not seventeen tank systems but one tank system. That is to say: more standardisation, one strategy and under a European umbrella. This European approach could bring us EUR 60 billion in efficiency gains. That is the size of the defence budget in France at the moment. European security is our responsibility. It is also about taxpayers' money. So: European security is European defence. The summit takes place in The Hague, where Winston Churchill called for a European army in 1948. The most efficient way to ensure our safety is to put Churchill's words into practice.

Mr President, High Representative, ladies and gentlemen, what Israel is doing in Gaza today is unacceptable: Tens of thousands dead, shelling of food stations, famine as a weapon of war. Of course, Israel was allowed to defend itself after October 7. But what it does now is disproportionate, is illegal, and its war crimes. We can no longer tolerate that. Anyone who says that international law must be defended must also show the courage, Madam High Representative, to uphold it. Immediately suspends the Association Agreement with Israel, Article 2 of which is crystal clear. Respect for human rights is not an option but a basic condition. That's the way it says it. Red line after red line is crossed, even though Prime Minister Netanyahu is now trying to shift attention to Iran. Mrs Kallas, Europe must choose its principles. Europe must choose international law, without exception.