Debate contributions by Dan BARNA

Mr. President, when I went to school in communist Romania, my parents reminded me almost daily not to tell anyone that we were listening to Free Europe, that radio station that offered us a window into the free world in full communist dictatorship, that radio station that informed the Romanian people that in Timisoara a revolution had begun in '89 that then changed the whole country. I didn't think I would get to live the day when Free Europe and, in general, the right press, would be under siege, as it is today. At the White House, Associated Press It is banned because it refuses to rename the Gulf of Mexico. Instead, a bunch of New Media extras are being courted to praise an American president with authoritarian sympathies. Where is today that freedom of speech that conservatives in the United States were defending? She is banished on social media, she tells me, but there the access to freedom is no longer free. It's controlled by algorithms in the possession of billionaires ready to do anything for money and resources. Our mission today is to defend and support a fair press, not to prevent and sanction manipulation on social media. Because, Commissioner, humanity cannot exist without real facts and truth. There is no alternative truth, there is only truth.

Madam President, two characters in human history have destinies that are very current today. Giordano Bruno, burned at the stake for the crime of saying that the universe is infinite, and Galileo Galilei, escaped from the stake, but imprisoned for life for the crime of saying that the Earth revolves around the Sun. 400 years later, today in the United States, universities are threatened with losing funding, research programs are interrupted because they do not agree with a dogma, scientists come to fear the police of thoughts or words. Europe is now the only and strongest guarantor of freedom, as long as the current US administration is just experimenting with the ‘Ideological Inquisition 2.0’ app. What seemed unimaginable a few months ago is a reality we are living. Europe has become a haven of academic freedom. Scientific asylum initiatives already exist in France, Belgium or the Netherlands and are to be welcomed, but this is not enough. The European Commission must urgently present and implement a programme to attract scientists from the United States. Free spirits must have a home.

Mr President, after President Trump's shameful behaviour towards President Zelenskyy, the European Union has no excuse today. The use of frozen Russian assets in Europe for financing and supporting Ukraine is a natural consequence and a matter of justice, justice and strategic necessity. For those who still have a dilemma, we are not talking about racial confiscation, as the far right has just told us that the Nazis did. The victims of Nazism were no one's aggressors. We are talking about responsibility, as each of us is responsible for what we do, so Putin must be responsible for, let's not forget, invasion and war, because this is the truth. The use of Russian assets will also send a clear message: aggression cannot go unpunished in Europe. This is a continent of equality and the rule of law, and strategically, a victorious Ukraine in this war, and then a sovereign, stable and rebuilt country, are essential for Europe's security. Refusal or hesitation to use these assets is tantamount to renouncing the fundamental principles of the Union of which we are a part.

Madam President, Commissioner, President Costa, I appreciate and thank you for your presence in the debate. Unfortunately, the security context of the European Union is no longer a peaceful certainty, but rather a battlefield. We have seen our vulnerabilities after the installation of an American administration with pro-Putin priorities and affinities. We remembered again – and the Eastern European states know this very well – that betting on external guarantees is a very dangerous one in the long run. No, no, no. We can no longer afford illusory refuges in strategic dependencies, neither military nor energy. Now is the time for the European Union to become a real builder of its own security. The Commission's current proposals are a vital step, but we need more than financial allocations. We need a robust and unified defence industry. We need interoperable forces capable of rapid deployment. We need a common strategic approach, a unified understanding of current threats. We must become masters of our own destiny and guarantor of our own security. Only then can we truly protect our values, our citizens and our future.

Madam President, I welcome the development of the growth plan for the Republic of Moldova and I congratulate the Commission and Commissioner Kos for the very constructive attitude shown in the negotiations. At the referendum on Moldova's accession to the European Union, Russia wasted over 100 million euros in dirty money, trying to influence the result. But Chisinau has resisted in an absolutely exemplary way, and Moldova is today a true model for the already member states of the Union in terms of combating hybrid threats. A state that has resisted Russia's 14th Army on its territory since 1992, which has come to Ukraine's aid with the Russian invasion and which does not deviate for a second from the European future, deserves all our support. For Vladimir Putin, the message is clear: Europe knows how to mobilize and concretely support a friendly and candidate state for accession. Putin tried to trick a country with 100 million for propaganda. We are responding with 2 billion, with almost 2 billion for development. Yes, Mr Putin, the Union exists and is not going anywhere. No matter how much the geopolitical wind changes, one thing is confirmed today again: Europe will not abandon its allies and friends. We have the capacity and the determination to preserve Europe as a continent of peace and well-being for people. Tomorrow, when we vote for the growth facility, we will take a firm step in this direction. In the case of Moldova, we will take further steps to negotiate the future multi-annual budget, in which it and the other candidate countries must receive pre-accession funds. Nothing will deflect us from this path, just as Moldova has never hesitated to prove the European aspiration with facts.

Madam President, history tells us that Truman created the Marshall Plan, but I say Truman's true genius was swallowing his pride and reaching out to Herbert Hoover. Yes, Hoover, the most reviled former president in those days. Why? Because they understood a strong Europe meant a strong America. They crossed party lines and prevented millions starving. Hoover, that hated man, convinced his isolationist Republican Party to support the plan. Where is that spirit today? Republicans are just as isolationist now. But where is their Hoover? Where? Where is a Truman- or Eisenhower-style leadership in the White House? Now it's our turn. We were saved by visionaries, now we must be those visionaries. Millions face famine, disease, or threats to democracy today. I demand that the Commission immediately present to this Parliament a plan to fill the void left by America's retreat from international cooperation.

Madam President, for a Romanian, the collapse of the North Railway Station, the Novi Sad Railway Station, and the loss of innocent lives is an echo of a well-known tragedy. The tragedy of 2015 in Colectiv club still haunts our society and is a cruel reminder of the price paid for negligence and corruption. Nine years have passed since that awful night in Bucharest. Sixty-four souls were lost. Romania protested, demanded change and continued to mourn. In Serbia, as in Romania, we see the same painful pattern: non-compliance with the rules, lack of accountability and a corrupt system that fails to protect its citizens. The train station in Novi Sad, a symbol of progress, became a tomb. From the European Parliament, we call for those responsible for this tragedy to be held accountable. We demand transparency and the rule of law. We demand that freedom of assembly be protected, not suppressed. President Vučić must understand that his people demand change and it is the duty of the European Union to support this.

Madam President, when Russia tried to destroy submarine communication cables in the Baltic Sea, NATO responded by sending ships and aircraft to defend critical infrastructure. It is a natural and welcome response, but Europe has long since passed the moment when it can only respond and must move to the stage of preventing attacks and challenges from hostile actors. It's time for our security to be a priority. Let us not forget that the internal order also plays a crucial role in this process. Compliance with laws and decisions, such as sanctions imposed on Russia, is also essential for our European security. For example, exports to states where there is evidence that they sell those goods on to Russia become a security threat and must be stopped. Defence against external actors cannot function without the rule of law within the European Union, here at home.

Mr President, it seems there is something going around across the pond and Uncle Sam caught a cold. Last night, we all witnessed a spectacle of isolationism and outright proclamations of miracles bound to happen. What we didn't hear was a true vision for the future, other than a flurry of sometimes barbaric executive orders and threats to rewrite geography, like it's George Orwell's 1984. There was no mention of the European Union or transatlantic security. There were no logical thoughts about the world economy, not even about the American one. I've said it in the past: with or without Donald Trump in the White House, Europe needs to evolve and develop, no matter the context. It's time to face reality. We will not abandon our partnership with the United States, but we will also not forget it's a wide world out there. We will collaborate with other states and regions – because this is the time for Europe to lead the free world by example, diplomacy and the power of our defining values.

Madam President, disinformation and manipulation have become terribly cheap and accessible today. In Romania's election campaign, 25 Facebook pages ran 4,100 fake ads against Elena Lasconi, the pro-European presidential candidate. It has been viewed 199 million times. I repeat: 25 pages, 4,000 advertisements generated almost 200 million views. This is the power of a single network. If we multiply by 4 or 5, the numbers become dizzying, and this example is from the time when, theoretically, there were mechanisms to control and block fake news. Now, with Donald Trump, we see all the Internet moguls lining up behind a president who promotes disinformation as public policy. We are on the verge of a techno-oligarchy that controls global information and irresponsibly eliminates internal lie-proofing mechanisms. The only way to fight it is the rule of law and the law. History shows us that there can be no future without truth. That's what the DSA has to defend.

Mr President, during this plenary session, this is my fourth speech. They were all on the same topic. It is extremely worrying that the theme of human rights and anti-democratic measures is repeating itself, although we have talked about completely different situations and countries. About Azerbaijan, recent and less recent reports highlight a worrying trend. The Azerbaijani government continues to harass, imprison or threaten with violence journalists, opposition members and civil society activists for the mere exercise of their fundamental rights. These actions are a direct attack on the principles of democracy and human rights that we stand for in this House. Systematic erosion of freedoms and stifling of dissent in Azerbaijan are not just internal matters. They undermine the very principles of democratic governance and international norms of law. We must unequivocally condemn these violations and take a firm stand against the anti-democratic tendencies of the Azerbaijani government. It is imperative that we support its victims and advocate for (Words not heard) People in Azerbaijan. Let us act swiftly and with determination to ensure that the fundamental rights of all people in Azerbaijan are respected and protected.

Madam President, when we speak of Vladimir Putin, the already historical truth is as follows: we are facing a serious threat to the international order and democratic principles. Russia has actively falsified history to justify its aggressive policy, invasions and hybrid warfare against independent countries. This dangerous rewriting of history is not just an academic problem, it is a calculated strategy to undermine the foundations of our society. Without a common ground on truth and facts, we cannot function. By distorting history, Russia wants to legitimize its actions and precisely erode the sovereignty of nations. In this continuous manipulation it paves the way for further potential aggression, creating a dangerous environment for all nations that value freedom and independence. We must firmly oppose these attempts. Preserving the integrity of historical truth is essential to maintaining peace and stability in our world. The international community must unite in condemning these actions. And for Vladimir Putin my message is a simple one: History will hold you as a bloody dictator. No matter how much you try now, Mr. Putin, to justify your actions, history will know how to tell the truth.

At the moment, the data that have been presented in Romania by the authorities show extraordinary similarities with what has already happened in the Republic of Moldova. It's not hard to connect these points. There is no doubt that a candidate who says ‘Romania’s future is Russian wisdom’ is supported precisely from that area of Europe.

Madam President, the recent elections in Romania have shown a major and very real danger to our European democracy: unregulated and unsafe use of social networks such as TikTok explicitly, but also Facebook, X or Instagram. We are just discovering at this time that these platforms, when left unattended, become very fertile grounds for disinformation and manipulation, and threaten the very integrity of the idea of fair elections. The very real interference Romania has faced is a stark warning about the vulnerabilities in our digital landscape. This idea that it was a passing incident, a mere chance, algorithms used more inspired and for which there should be no responsibility and no consequences, is unacceptable. Romania is still awaiting these responsibilities today. The European Union must act quickly and decisively, and I welcome the announcement made today by the Commission, thank you, announcing the start of these checks. We cannot afford to allow such interference to spread to other countries in Europe. Our democratic institutions and the trust of our citizens are at stake. We need to rigorously apply the DSA (Digital Services Act) to ensure transparency and accountability of social networks. In addition, we need to invest in robust cybersecurity measures and encourage collaboration between Member States to defend European democracy, that is what this is about.

Mr President, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria is an extremely important moment for the country and the region. I myself was born in a time of dictatorship and respect, and I admire the determination of the Syrian people in the face of hardships impossible to imagine for all those who were lucky enough to live only in democracy. However, while we are at this crossroads, we must recognise that Syria's future today remains very fragile, especially since the somewhat similar examples in the region are not exactly encouraging. The end of tyranny is only the first step on a long road to a peace and stability so desired and awaited. The European Union today has a crucial role to play in this process. We must engage in smart regional diplomacy, promoting dialogue and cooperation among neighbouring states to support the reconstruction of Syria. Our commitment to provide humanitarian aid and rebuild the country's infrastructure is binding. There are not a few examples from recent history that show us how important it is to prevent a slide of Syria back into chaos. Together we can help build a society based on justice, democracy and human rights, even if these words seem utopian today. It is the first test of the new European diplomacy and I trust that together we can be united in our efforts to support the Syrian people.

Madam President, it is a sign of responsibility and maturity towards European citizens that the political negotiations have come to the result that we can say today that we have a committee and that it will take office on 1 December. The electoral architecture after 9 June was not at all and is not a simple one, so I congratulate all the negotiators for the endurance to achieve a result at this time. But now, Madam President and ladies and gentlemen of the Commissioners, it is time to start meeting expectations and delivering results. Now, not in two years, not in five years. I demand from this Parliament's desk a genuine concern for the rule of law. I call for a strict and clear application of the legislation on social networks. They demand tougher mechanisms to combat disinformation and more effective measures to respond to hybrid warfare, which is increasingly coming to us. Otherwise, democratic elections, as we know them and want them in Europe, could become history. We are a union of people, not of algorithms, so I ask this Commission that an operation like the one in last Sunday's elections in Romania can no longer be possible. We have to act. Now.

Mr President, the importance of this debate today is so great that I find it difficult to find the words to describe it. From all the statistics related to Romania and violence against women, I chose a sad and painful one. This year, between 1 and 15 July, so in just two weeks, 6 843 women turned to the phone line dedicated to victims of domestic violence. Only 57 then agreed to report it to the police. The stigma associated with violence against women is the biggest obstacle we have to overcome. Speaking of domestic, sexual or verbal violence, this scourge must disappear from our society and I want to express my respect and admiration to the USR candidate in the presidential elections, Elena Lasconi. Freshly arrived, just a few hours ago, in the second round, Elena struggled with a misogynistic and miserable campaign. A female president could be the signal of profound change in Romania.

Madam President, we are reading and hearing these days that Donald Trump's victory is a wake-up call for Europe, from both his supporters and his opponents. But few people say that Europe didn't need Donald Trump or anyone else to wake up. Europe's competitiveness, security, industry and technology sectors must be developed regardless of who is in the White House, and the partnership with the United States will last because there is no reasonable alternative. That it will unfold perhaps more difficult, we will see and adapt, both we and our partners in Washington. We are not experiencing the end of the world, nor is it the beginning of an Enlightenment era. We are simply continuing on a path on which the European Union had to continue to walk anyway, a path on which to become a stronger, stronger and more united actor. It is, first of all, for the benefit of our citizens, but also for the benefit of the transatlantic relationship, for the benefit of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, the Western Balkans, all our partners.

Mr President, for decades, Moldova has endured Russia's relentless campaign to undermine its democracy and sovereignty. Moscow's tactics have included disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure and support for anti-European forces. These actions threaten not only Moldova as a state, but the entire European security order. If we look today at all the countries confronted with Russia's interference, it becomes obvious that Moldova was the laboratory, the testing ground for Vladimir Putin's current actions. Despite a continuous assault in 1992, when there was the war in Transnistria, Moldova showed remarkable resistance. Today it is a candidate country for membership and the first country to sign a security and defence partnership with the European Union. In the context of the elections and the integration referendum, the European community, its institutions, the member states must offer Chisinau all possible assistance, political, economic and security, which is needed. From here, from the heart of European democracy, we must send a clear message to Putin: This aggression can no longer be tolerated. We stand with Moldova and support its right to choose its own destiny. I want to thank my colleagues from the other groups who took part in the negotiation of the resolution last night. It is a robust text, it is a text that puts and will represent the arguments of support in the communication in the coming period, because the Moldovan citizens are waiting to see the extended hand from the European Union and this resolution I hope will contribute to this endeavour.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to see the support of pro-European groups for the release of political prisoners in Belarus. I come from a country where the memory of the communist dictatorship is as vivid as possible and so is the struggle of courageous dissidents who have spent decades in communist prisons. Lukashenko must be tried by a court for these illegalities, for the life of every person who is endangered or lost during this period, as well as for his complicity in the war in Ukraine. We must not forget that the invasion of Ukraine was also made from Belarus. Russian troops are still there and they are receiving ammunition, equipment and assistance from Lukashenko and his government. And we must not forget that Russia's terrible information war against Europe and every state on the eastern border is equally supported by Belarus. Stronger sanctions against the Lukashenka government must be taken forcefully in the coming period and are an emergency.

Madam President, on Saturday, for five hours, my father-in-law was nowhere to be found in a commune in Galati County, in eastern Romania. Neighbors told me he had tried to escape by car, but he didn't make it and the car was 200 meters from the house, under water, from the flooded house as well. I found out later that he had managed to get out of the car and found shelter on a hill. In a panic, his phone fell into the water. We have all seen images of disasters in all the countries affected. But when your family is hit, the dimension of knowledge is different. We were actually talking about the damage the other day. The text of the resolution we are debating today will by no means work wonders. We need to look at it as a necessary foundation. Yes, we need to look at areas prone to natural disasters also from a safety and public health perspective and allocate funds for these regions to be supported also by cohesion policy, not only or only by the Solidarity Fund after disasters strike. Just as we have successfully asked, for example, industry to tie glass stoppers to save millions of tonnes of waste, so we must ask governments to invest in dams and flood protection systems, even if they do not have immediate electoral potential. And we have to do all this now, because my father was lucky and survived. Others, we know very well, have died just these days.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, one thing must be said clearly and unequivocally in the context of the war in Ukraine: The fight of the Ukrainians against a bloody dictator is also the fight for the freedom of Europe. Putin will not stop and Russia's neighbours in Eastern Europe know this very well, because history has this bad habit of repeating itself. Now, in Ukraine, brave soldiers defend the freedom of a continent, the right to decide for their own future and the entire European way of life as we know it. Solidarity with Ukraine and military, financial and humanitarian support are both a responsibility for survival and a moral duty, and no one and nothing is allowed to undermine this endeavour. If we are talking about solidarity, I say very clearly, the government of Viktor Orbán, the holder of the rotating presidency, is sabotaging Europe's joint efforts and it is a disgrace. Viktor Orbán, through his blockages, is Vladimir Putin's accomplice and this must stop.