Debate contributions by António TÂNGER CORRÊA

Madam President, Vice-President Borrell, the conflict in the Middle East is not new, it is very old. And those roots are deep roots, and you have to go to those roots to resolve the conflict. Ceasefires are not possible; Humanitarian corridors are mere Band-Aids that do not solve the essentiality of this conflict. This is what we have to do fundamentally: is to study, is to see, is to be able to find places where people can understand each other in a prolonged way and with long-term results. It is clear that the conflict does not extend only between Israel and the Palestinians. And I would like to remind Lord Borrell that Israel invaded Lebanon to save the lives of the Christians who lived there against the onslaughts of Arafat's Fatah at that time. We need to look at the story as it is. On the other hand, the two-state solution is a chimerical solution, that is, it is a solution that is not at all possible at this time. You don't make a state when there's a war. Who will govern the Palestinian state? Hamas? Fatah? They are territories without geographical continuity. And what borders would we establish? Seventy-seven, as I've heard here? Why not 78 or 79 or 80, or the current ones? These are all fundamental issues so that we can understand the problem. And finally, I would also like to say that, on the Israeli side, it was crucial that they end the settlement policy, that they stop with the settlers in territories that are not from Israel, because that would help a lot to resolve the conflict. We must therefore deepen this conflict. We need to deepen the solutions so that we can resolve in peace, security and diplomacy.

Mr President, Mr Vice-President, Minister, ladies and gentlemen, I have been a career diplomat for 40 years. I was one of the Schengen negotiators. Everyone is talking about Schengen in this plenary. No one has any idea what you're talking about. Not only have I worked Schengen I and Schengen II, but throughout my career I have practiced Schengen. It had to grant visas in accordance with the requirements of the Schengen agreements. I had to do an analysis of the people and the reasons they had for visiting my country, because I knew that when they entered Portugal, they would be allowed to travel throughout the Schengen area by virtue of the respective agreements. Now we have what? We have a total and absolute lack of a state of law, in which anyone enters any country, namely the countries of Western Europe. Fourteen visas were issued to Russians in July and August. Fourteen! Ten to Russians and four to Belarusians who, moreover, were perfectly identified. I don't think it's a spy case. You want cases of security issues? I'll give it to you. Visa liberalisation for Kosovo nationals, with mafias all moving freely around Europe. In my country, leaders of Bangladesh, outlawed in their own country by Islamist radicalism, went to hold meetings in the capital of my country, in Lisbon. These are security risks. This is what is putting Europe in danger. It is not the half dozen visas that Mr Orban grants to the Russians or Belarusians. And who told you that these ten Russians and four Belarusians are Putin's agents and are not opponents of Putin who simply want to go to work and make a living? Who's telling you? On the other hand, ladies and gentlemen, we must have a lot of geopolitical studies and we must know what is happening in our Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, today's conflict in Gaza is a structural conflict and not a mere conflict dating back a few years. It is a conflict that is deeply rooted in mutual hatred and racism. Let's be very clear: It is not in two days that what has been going on for a long time will be resolved. It is not just a ceasefire, which will be broken at the next opportunity, that will solve the problem in the Gaza Strip or Palestinian lands. No, no, no, no. I must say that very strong diplomatic action will be needed. There was a certain balance until the fateful day of 7 October. I always said that the crucial problem would be the hostages. They've killed most of them, and some of them with savagery refinements. After they had a press conference, they killed them in cold blood. This is unacceptable. All I'm asking you is one question: is if they really want Iran to move from being a regional power to being a global power, through its proxies, such as Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist movements, together with the Muslim Brotherhood, which dominates around 90% of Sunni terrorist movements; whether they want Iran's power to extend or not. And in order for that not to happen, you have to negotiate. We need to bring together countries that are currently reluctant to do so in order to achieve this, such as Egypt, Turkey and, of course, the United States. My dear friends, the time is one of deep reflection, but also of quick action. Let's quickly make a real peace and not a sieve peace over the sun.