Debate contributions by Michał SZCZERBA

Mr President, thank you very much. The High House! First of all, I would like to start with my highest respect, which I would like to express to the civil society of Georgia, which has been fighting for its freedom and its European future for more than a year, every day, every night. And this is the dream of a real Georgia, which we must support in this house of democracy. I would like to say very clearly that what we have seen in recent days, in recent weeks, those plans that were made public in mid-November, changes in the electoral law, de facto deprive Georgians living abroad of the possibility to participate in the general elections. This is an attack – an attack on the active rights of citizens of the Georgian state. I want to make it very clear that we, as Poland, are also very critical of the situation in Georgia. We have made a decision – made by Minister Sikorski – to pause, suspend development programmes in Georgia that include public institutions. But at the same time, we have determination and we want to increase cooperation with non-governmental organizations, social partners. We need to support free media in Georgia. We must support those who want a democratic Georgia in European and Euro-Atlantic structures, which is equally important.

Mr President, thank you very much. The High House! First of all, I would like to start with my highest respect, which I would like to express to the civil society of Georgia, which has been fighting for its freedom and its European future for more than a year, every day, every night. And this is the dream of a real Georgia, which we must support in this house of democracy. I would like to say very clearly that what we have seen in recent days, in recent weeks, those plans that were made public in mid-November, changes in the electoral law, de facto deprive Georgians living abroad of the possibility to participate in the general elections. This is an attack – an attack on the active rights of citizens of the Georgian state. I want to make it very clear that we, as Poland, are also very critical of the situation in Georgia. We have made a decision – made by Minister Sikorski – to pause, suspend development programmes in Georgia that include public institutions. But at the same time, we have determination and we want to increase cooperation with non-governmental organizations, social partners. We need to support free media in Georgia. We must support those who want a democratic Georgia in European and Euro-Atlantic structures, which is equally important.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The High House! Europe should be grateful. Yes, Europe should be grateful, because after the publication of the US security strategy, we know where we stand. It was written in black and white. The primary objective is to build the strength of the European Union in each scenario. The most important thing at the moment is the construction of the European pillar of NATO, but we also need to be prepared for even stronger, even more efficient support for Ukraine. That is why the declaration of the President of the European Commission is very important. We must use the frozen assets of Russia's central bank to work for Ukraine and for European security. This is a moral obligation that needs to be fulfilled. We are also responsible for the defence industry, which should be more integrated, more coherent, and skillfully use all the funds that we have launched this year. We must defend the European sky, we must defend the European institutions, we must defend European society and build its constant resilience. But I want to be very clear: expectations are increasing. Prime Minister Tusk declares this and the leaders of the eastern flank of the European Union also declare it. We need SAFE in the new, second edition, because the needs are gigantic, and we want to respond constructively to them.

Dear President, Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The case is high-profile. Very serious negotiations are underway in Berlin. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also participates. The NATO Secretary General has left no illusions. We no longer have the comfort of a long-term perspective. We have to act here and now. That is why what we are preparing and presenting in this report is so important, because the risk of a full-scale war is very high. First of all, this report shows this possibility to transfer funds under the Recovery and Resilience Fund. Poland is a good example here, it has taken advantage of these opportunities. We have launched a special fund dedicated to the modernisation of the Polish army, but also to dual-use projects and infrastructure. But what is most important are the needs. These are infrastructure gaps that we can bury together, using the resources we have at our disposal in this and in the future financial perspective.

Mr President, thank you very much. The High House! COP30 in Belém is an important forum where we could – including Poland – express our views on the need to combine climate objectives with consumer protection and energy security. The Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union presented two objectives: competitiveness and security. And it is very important that, as we move away from fossil fuels, which are systemic in nature, we first focus on what is most important. We must immediately, as the European Union, move away from Russian fossil fuel imports by the end of 2027 at the latest. Poland is uniquely aware of this. The ORLEN Group consistently increases the energy security of Poland and the region. Since March 2025, all refineries have been supplied with crude oil from outside Russia. At the end of June, the company completed its last contract for the supply of raw material from the East. We're doing our thing. We appeal to other countries – Hungary, Slovakia – go our way, the Polish way.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Poland has the potential to become an important centre of modern defence technologies. EDIP and Save will play a key role in their funding. Increasing investment in security is not only a strengthening of our defence capabilities, but also a huge opportunity for the economy. New jobs, industrial development, innovation based on AI and unmanned technologies. We have negotiated an agreement on EDIP, which allows us to develop our competences and programs, which have become a recognizable brand, but work well in real combat operations in Ukraine. Armatohaubice "Krab", armored vehicles "Borsuk", transporters "Rosomak", anti-aircraft kits "Piorun" - all this allows the Polish industry to look to the future with a raised head. Ahead of us is a historic mission: ensure the security of our countries and our citizens.

Mr President, thank you very much. Russia has no desire to end this war. The situation we have faced today – I mean the attack on a kindergarten in Kharkov – only confirms that Putin does not intend to have any realistic peace talks. He prepares for war and continues the war. I want to say very clearly: it is also Europe's responsibility to conduct this transatlantic dialogue in order to put pressure on Putin's Russia, for whom the war economy may be the Achilles heel. I want to say very clearly: We must also respond to this with our unity and our strength. The programmes we have created for Ukraine – I am talking about SAFE, about EDIP – are really a practical form of cooperation. Ukraine can count on us here in the European Parliament. Long live Ukraine! Let this war end. Let Putin, as a war criminal, be finally judged.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Belarus is not doomed to the nightmare of Lukashenko's dictatorship and Putin's Russia, to collaborate with evil. I have a dream of a free and democratic Belarus, deciding on the basis of the will of society about its future, about integration with Europe, living in friendship with its neighbours. I was one of the few to testify to the truth on the ground in Minsk during the 2020 elections. Today I address my appeal to the European Parliament, to all of you: We can save one life. We can honor the extraordinary man and his struggle for free Belarus and free speech. This is Andrzej Poczobut, a steadfast and uncompromising Pole and citizen of Belarus, a journalist, a political prisoner fighting for historical truth and the right to be a Pole. The Sakharov Prize has great power. Let Andrzej Poczobut be an inspiration for the whole of Europe. ‘Go upright among those who are on their knees, with their backs turned and to the dust.’

Madam President, I'm sorry. A key decision on Ukraine is coming. I call on the European Council to take bold action on the frozen Russian state assets. Ukraine needs them today. The Commission is ready. And this is the question, Commissioner: Is the Commission ready to prepare a legal proposal on the use of assets to finance the loan to Ukraine? The release of these €140 billion will allow the defence to be financed over the next two or three years. The historical responsibility lies with Belgium, the country where Euroclear is based. This is no time for half-measures. We've been discussing legal issues for too long. This is an unprecedented but necessary step to be taken. We can't be idle. Russia has no will to end the war, not only murdering civilians, but also destroying infrastructure, crashing the Ukrainian economy and causing a huge demographic crisis. It's decision time. We are asking for them very much.

Mr President, thank you very much. Enlargement policy is an extremely important tool for consolidating, promoting peace, but also the rule of law. The Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine want to confirm our declarations in action. Let's take that first step. Montenegro is ready. This will signal that enlargement is a living process and that the European institutions are ready for it. Enlargement also has a security dimension. Ukraine is a candidate that is really involved in joint defence projects. Ukraine will be in the SAFE instrument, but it will also be in the EDIP instrument. Yesterday, Parliament's committees approved the outcome of the negotiations, together with a special instrument to support Ukraine. The strategic partnerships of the European Union require a separate debate. There will soon be an opportunity to do so. My report to the Security and Defence Committee is ready. A public hearing will be held on 5 November. It's time for bold decisions.

Madam President, I'm sorry. The agreement between Israel and Hamas is an expected step for stabilization. Its sustainability depends on the responsibility of the parties to the agreement, on the active involvement of the international community as a whole, including the Union. However, they are not the only leading actors in the Middle East. Iran is a regime that not only poses a threat to the region, but also exports terrorism. The sale to Russia of deadly Shahed drones and licenses for their mass production in Russia during the aggression against Ukraine is a direct confirmation of co-responsibility for the crimes committed. In the British parliament, the head of Polish diplomacy Radosław Sikorski participated in the opening of the exhibition presenting the Shahed136 drone used against Ukraine. No one in Europe can doubt Tehran's role in supporting Moscow. Ukraine has the right to destroy Russian-Iranian death factories with long-range cruise missiles. The lives of the Ukrainian civilian population must be saved.

Dear President, Commissioner, I'm sorry. At the last Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we saw all of them: China and the countries of the axis of evil together, increasingly determined, declaring closer cooperation. Iran has been strengthening its relations with Russia and North Korea for a long time. Termination of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, denial of insight into the nuclear program, failure to submit to controls poses a threat to the world. During the last UN General Assembly, Minister Sikorski spoke and called on the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry to return to talks with the nuclear energy agency. The courageous decision of France, Germany and the United Kingdom to activate the snapback mechanism and restore sanctions is a demonstration of the European Union's firmness. I want to say very clearly: We need to strengthen the transatlantic position. We also need to strengthen the building of the European Union's strategic partnerships for security and defence. That must be our tough stance.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The situation is very serious and there are many indications that this intrusion of Russian unmanned systems is only the beginning of an escalation scenario with drones in the lead role. That is why it is very important what we strive for together: construction of a drone wall, anti-drone systems. I want to make it very clear that in the realities of the drone war, we are also dealing with a technological war. We must be ready at any time to improve, strengthen, strengthen the scale, including production. But there's nothing to break down an open door. Commissioner, let's look at Ukraine. Let's see how they build combat systems for intercepting drones. We have someone to work with. It is worth taking advantage of these opportunities. It is also worth combining this with the funds of ‘Safe Defense Omnibus’, but also with the unity that you have demonstrated, also with solidarity with my country, Poland.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, colleagues, for 20 years we have called the EU-India relationship a 'strategic partnership', yet too often it has been words without delivery. India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy by 2030, but security must be at the centre. India still relies on Russian-made weapons for more than half of its arsenal. Europe should help reduce that dependence through technology transfer and defence cooperation, but only under strict conditions. In an amendment together with David McAllister on common foreign and security policy, we stress stronger security ties, joint naval exercises, links between the Indian Navy and EU missions, and a Security of Information agreement by 2026. But the key: clear rules, measurable targets, annual progress reports and suspension triggers if India moves closer to Russian military structures. I must raise a serious concern. India joined the Russian-Belarusian Zapad 2025 exercise – a 65 % Indian contingent trained alongside 100 000 troops, including simulated nuclear and cross-border operations. This casts doubt on India's shift away from Moscow. The EU cannot deepen security ties with a partner that still joins Russian-led war games, while Russia frightens our neighbourhood.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Today, on the second anniversary of the crimes of Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians, these words must resound. We have to stop the war. We must stop its dramatic consequences and ensure lasting peace in the Middle East. All Israeli hostages must return to their homes. Families have the right to say goodbye to their loved ones. Peace is the responsibility of the international community, including the European institutions. I look forward to the U.S. peace plan for the Gaza Strip. It is a realistic attempt to end the conflict and create the conditions for lasting peace. The plan is to immediately halt hostilities, release hostages, and allow unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. That's where the drama happens. The plan paves the way for economic recovery and a two-state solution. I urge all parties to the conflict to seize this opportunity.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, The International Day of Older Persons is a great opportunity to debate the situation of older people in the European Parliament. And I would very much like this debate on the condition of European seniors, but also on intergenerational relations, to be included in the annual calendar of the European Parliament's work. Every year we should discuss the rights of older people, access to health care, long-term care, combating digital and communication exclusion. But just as importantly, older people want to be socially active, they want to learn throughout their lives. Hence the importance of education, also in the formula of universities of the third century, but also the ability to co-decide on local matters. The elderly are students of universities of the third age, they are volunteers, they are community leaders, as well as active participants in enterprises of the silver economy. But it is not enough to say that the elderly must have a voice. An appropriate legal framework needs to be put in place. We in Poland have created this framework in the form of a citizens' parliament of seniors, councils of seniors at the municipal, district and voivodship levels. But also great potential are universities of the third century. This is why we need an intergenerational forum. Tomorrow, this initiative is being launched in the European Parliament, and I am very pleased that we have the support and participation of our Commissioners as well. All the best!

Madam President, I'm sorry. The High House! Russia is not only testing our readiness. First of all, Russia is testing our unity. And yesterday we also witnessed allied unity, for which I thank you very much in this House, in the European Parliament. I want to say it very clearly, because it has to resound again: the threat to peace comes from the East – it does not come from the West, it does not come from European and transatlantic institutions. But I also want to say very clearly and very clearly that it is not just words that count, which are very much. What matters is the actions. And let me draw your attention to one aspect: the Netherlands. Yesterday, its F-35 pilots defended the Polish sky. But it's not over. There is a strong statement: 300 Dutch soldiers will be sent to NATO's eastern flank. There will be two Patriot systems delivered to Poland. Thank you for this solidarity. Dank eats wel!