Speeches

Madam President, a month after Putin's criminal invasion, the strength of our unity has turned Russia into an international pariah, with serious damage to its economy. But if we want to resist and support the admirable Ukrainian resistance, we must direct all our efforts on two fronts: maintain pressure on Putin and strengthen the European Union's strategic autonomy in energy and defence. Sanctions have lived up to this moment, but we must – and can – do much more: Cut off Russia's access to cryptocurrency exchanges, pursue tax havens that protect sanctioned oligarchs, further isolate Russian banks and energy giants, and end our dependence on Kremlin gas and oil. The weakness of our energy system was always a known truth that Russia's war has laid bare. Today we must face the challenges we have: free us from Russia's energy dependency, speed up the energy transition as much as possible and manage prices. Russian gas must be supplied by diversifying the sources of origin of the gas and increasing interconnections. Building strategic reserves and joint purchasing would also increase our energy resilience. And, if we really want to realize our strategic autonomy and lead a global transition, we must accelerate the pace of renewables installation. Let's be honest, the defense, which is the price of freedom and democracy, is causing the price of fuels, fertilizers, cereals, and this pushes us to make urgent decisions. Taxation must remain an indispensable tool to address the cost of the crisis: the design of a mechanism to reduce the most vulnerable families and companies and, at the same time, increase taxes on electricity companies for profits fallen from the sky, would allow us to balance the social costs of the crisis. It is also essential to completely reform the marginalist system governing the price of the EU electricity market. It is time to decouple the price of electricity from the price of gas. We can't keep looking the other way: We know that the price of gas causes uncontrolled increases in prices, despite assuming a very small fraction of total electricity generation. Putin's cowardly attack also makes it inevitable that we will increase our defense spending. But it's not just about spending more; It's all about spending better. And, therefore, the strategic compass designed by Mr Borrell gives us the opportunity to use our capabilities efficiently. In these tragic hours, almost four million men, women and children have knocked on the doors of the European Union. The adoption of a protection package covering the basic needs of children is urgent. They are the future of an admirable people who now fight for their freedoms and also for ours. Mobilization and gestures of solidarity with refugees must not only be maintained for the duration of the war, but must lead us to a new pact of migration and asylum that can no longer wait. The images of the monstrous attacks on the civilian population are testimony to the war crimes committed by Putin. The International Criminal Court cannot leave the barbarism of this man, Putin, unpunished. The European Union must also comply with: the sacrifices that each state can make for joint action by the European Union will allow civic and democratic consciousness to prevail.

Madam President, since we are starting a new stage by normalising parliamentary activity, what I would ask the Presidency to do is to stick to our usual procedures. In order to raise an issue of compliance with the Regulation, it is first necessary to indicate the article to which it refers, to see if we have not complied with any article. A matter of compliance with the Regulation is not so that everyone here can pick up the microphone and say the first thing that comes to mind. Therefore, if there is a question of compliance with the Rules of Procedure, let it be said to which article is referred and in what way the Rules of Procedure of the House are being violated.

Madam President, Prime Minister Kallas, welcome to the European Parliament, to your home. Putin's criminal attack has put us in the mirror of our own strengths and weaknesses as a Union. The faltering position we traditionally held towards the Kremlin contrasted with the crackdown after the outbreak of war, in particular the agreement on economic sanctions and the change of an asylum policy that takes us away from the shameful closure of borders to Syrians in 2015. In just a few days, we have taken a giant step in our construction as a global player. Once again it is shown that the European Union is forged at the stroke of a crisis. And the time has come also to do self-criticism to learn from our mistakes: We must never again sacrifice human rights for gas. The creation of strategic gas reserves, the joint purchase of gas and the interconnection of the Iberian Peninsula as a storage and distribution center are an urgent strategic imperative. Taxing electricity companies that do not invest in renewable energy is also an imperative, because every euro we invest in green energy will reduce our strategic vulnerability. We also need a roadmap to rectify the mistakes made in the 2015 refugee crisis. The activation of the Temporary Protection Directive obliges Member States to provide food, education, health and work. We must now agree on a solidarity-based distribution system and establish a reception structure. The protection of war victims represents an opportunity to think about a new migration policy based, this time, on responsibility and solidarity. And we must also prepare to support the Ukrainian people. We never wanted a war; Putin is solely responsible. Today, the weapons for the survival of a free Ukraine are those that the Second Spanish Republic did not have eighty years ago due to the inaction of European democracies. In this tragic hour, the Ukrainian army needs military means to defend men, women and vulnerable people. Their security is also ours, because no one will be safe in the rest of Europe if we allow Putin to prevail. The unpunished killing of the population violated the very laws of war enshrined in the Geneva Convention, and it was urgent that the United Nations should be able to organize humanitarian corridors. Likewise, the International Criminal Court must advance the investigation of Putin as a war criminal. And, in its mediation role, China must abandon its ambiguity and offer tangible steps to ensure peace. The solution to Putin's cowardly aggression must not be the surrender of Ukraine or the amputation of its territory. Let's speak loud and clear to Putin: Every democratic European state has the right to be part of the European Union, including Ukraine. Today it is also important for this Parliament to express its absolute support for the Baltic countries and all the countries that have borders with Ukraine and Russia. A few days ago I was able to see the strength of solidarity on the border between Ukraine and Hungary. The work of the Red Cross and the organizations and volunteers who are serving the needs of refugees is admirable. Let us use the support of citizens to strengthen European identity, to reaffirm our values, to move forward in a stronger Europe. In the fight against tyrants like Putin, the time has come to stop thinking about what the European Union can do for us and to think about what we can do for the Union.

Madam President, thank you very much, Oksana Zabuzhko, for being today the voice of millions of women who are being attacked in their fundamental principles; refugee women fleeing Ukraine with their children, with their daughters; Ukrainian women who stay in Ukraine having to care for the most vulnerable, because it is always us, the women, who are the most vulnerable in these situations. And that is why listening today to Oksana's voice in the house of European democracy is so important. This 8th of March is important; This March 8th is different. But you are also going to allow me to make a reference today to the feminist movement in Europe and in the world. Feminism does not understand borders. Women have a common struggle for our rights, for our freedoms and that is why today I also want to highlight the value of women in Ukraine, the value of women in Afghanistan, the value of women in so many places in the world where speaking out means putting their lives at risk. Today we stand with all the women who suffer, with all the women who are raising their voices for a more just, more equal world, where we have equal rights. This 8th of March is important and we European women cannot resign ourselves or cross our arms. There are many of us who have to be able to move forward in this world, in this more egalitarian society. Long live the feminist struggle! Long live March 8th!

Madam President, Putin's war against Ukraine marks the beginning of a new stage in Europe and in the world. In historical times we need historical decisions. The financial and military support to Ukraine, the disconnection of the main Russian banks from the SWIFT platform, the activation of the International Protection Directive to help Ukrainian refugees and the banning of the Kremlin media machinery represent a qualitative leap for our response capacity. Western democracies have achieved admirable unity in meeting this challenge and it is essential that we maintain unity in the face of the serious challenges that we will have to continue to face. The four sanctions packages led by Mr Borrell are a first step in the face of a long crisis that will raise new dilemmas; These include how to continue supporting Ukraine or how to react to likely Russian retaliation. Unity requires courage and sacrifice. Only with courage and sacrifice will we achieve energy autonomy to bend Putin. Our unwavering commitment to a global energy order grounded in long-term renewables must be complemented by the creation of short-term strategic gas reserves. And we also need courage and sacrifice to welcome all refugees fleeing war with an effort of shared responsibility. Putin's cowardly attack shows his true fear: democracy. A successful democratic transition in Ukraine should inspire those who bravely took to the streets in Russia today as well. The struggle for peace and freedom of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples requires our commitment. We will not rest until Putin is tried as a war criminal by the International Criminal Court. (Applause) Putin's aggression also exposes his far-right accomplices and a model of coexistence that represses opponents, censors the media and denies individual rights. At this time, in the cities and towns of Ukraine, not only the security and territorial integrity of this country are at stake, but also the world in which we want to live. It can be a democratic one, supported by international law, diplomacy and human rights; or it may be another, based on brute force, spheres of influence and the violation of rights that must be universal. No tyrant will make us renounce our desire to forge alliances around a peace project that protects the sovereignty of nations, the progress and freedom of peoples and the integrity of borders. History is never wrong. We cannot leave Ukrainians behind, alone, as we Spaniards felt at the time in the first half of the 20th century in the struggle between fascism and democracy. The resistance of the heroic Ukrainian people will be the triumph of Western democracies. And let me formulate one last personal reflection: I am proud of Europe, of the Europe of today, of the Europe that does not give up and does not resign itself, of the Europe that looks back to learn from history, but, above all, looks forward to continue defending what is most precious: democracy and peace. (Applause)

Madam President, I am sure that many of us share that today is a day of victory for this Parliament. Justice has been on our side, on the side of those who work, defend and bet on an instrument of conditionality between the budget and the rule of law in Europe, because we defended that the one who supports the European project is not the market, but the common values that we share and the defense of the rule of law. Unfortunately, history has taught us that where law does not rule, tyrants rule. Without the rule of law, democracy becomes the dictatorship of the majority, which feels legitimated to oppress minorities, those who think differently, and thus establish unique thinking. This, which is unfortunately happening in some member countries, is a recipe for disaster: a disaster for democracy and a disaster for the European project. The first responsibility of the European Commission is to be a guarantor of the Treaties. So far the Commission has not wanted to activate the conditionality mechanism because it wanted to wait for the judgment of the European Court of Justice. Well, we already have a sentence. It's not time to wait any longer. Mr. Hahn, act at once. I would have liked to have been able to say this to the President of the European Commission, Mrs von der Leyen, who should be here in this House today. So I tell you in the distance but with the same emphaticness: Act now! Over the last decade Viktor Orban has used his power to control the opposition, the judiciary, the media, religious groups, universities... For too long the Union has allowed such behaviour, which is incompatible with European values. And too long, too, the EPP Group gave him shelter in its group, allowing him to grow and grow stronger. This has given wings to ultraconservative and anti-European groups. These groups intend to use institutions to denigrate groups such as refugees and asylum seekers or the LGBTI community, attack women and scapegoat anyone who criticizes their policies. Faced with the inaction of the European Union, little by little they have been conquering more land, every day with fewer complexes, with more insolence. Every day lost is one more step that we will then have to recover. It will also have to be recovered by all those who from Poland and Hungary defend freedom, democracy, equality, respect for difference ..., in a word, all those who also defend the European Union in Hungary and Poland. The latest example is the suspension of Polish judge Joanna Hetnarowicz-Sikora, who has been treated as a criminal, violating her dignity and that of her office. We found ourselves in an unimaginable situation just a few years ago: that some of the members of the European Union suffer a regression in rights and become an autocracy. It is a new phenomenon, for which we were not prepared, and we had to create this instrument of conditionality, these tools. Let us use them, now that we have them, because we cannot allow European taxpayers' money to end up in the pockets of those who undermine common European values. The Commission cannot be looking the other way. We've had this mechanism for a year now. No one in this House wants to harm Hungary and Poland. On the contrary. People trust the European Union, that being European citizens means something. Trust us to stop this authoritarian drift. This nightmare must end. It is unacceptable for these things to happen in the European Union. Mr. Hahn, Mrs. von der Leyen, act now!

Madam President, it has been more than eight years since the Maidan Square Revolution of Dignity, since the Ukrainian people began their struggle to approach the project of freedoms represented by the European Union. We have been its most loyal partner in economic integration, supporting the reform process and defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Today, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment and support for Ukraine. The challenge that Russia poses to all Europeans, in the end, is to give us the opportunity to strengthen our unity and our determination, and also to defend our interests and those of the continent as a whole. But let us not forget that, in order to stop Putin's imperial spirit and his hostility to human rights, Ukraine and the European Union must also fulfil their own obligations. For our part, we must continue to support all diplomatic forums for the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, such as the Normandy Quartet and the Trilateral Contact Group. In order to reach a negotiated solution, the European Union must be effectively represented in the negotiations because, as Mr Borrell rightly argues, we cannot be a neutral bystander on those issues that directly affect our own security. No region in the world has a security system as fair as the European one. The basic principles enshrined in the Charter of Paris and the Helsinki Final Act, all signed by Russia, are the only ones capable of ensuring security in Europe. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, the inviolability of borders, the right of states to choose their own alliances and the peaceful resolution of disputes are inalienable achievements, because the progress of Europeans will only be a reality if there is security. No one in the European Union can deny the need for greater strategic autonomy and our leading role in the world. Let us not allow Putin and his blackmail to bring Europe to its knees. Let us develop our capacities to respond to new threats, move forward in the short term in the creation of strategic reserves and joint purchases of gas and continue to lead as a final destination the construction of a new world energy order based on renewable energy and socially just. It's time for diplomacy, yes, but so is deterrence. Any further aggression against Ukraine will have enormous consequences for Russia. Until a war begins, it can be avoided. The rejection of war and the will to build peace is the essential basis of the European project. We cannot give up the most admirable thing we have conquered: freedom and democracy, which have dignified the lives of millions of human beings. President Zelensky must also remain committed to the path of democracy. Eradicating corruption, reforming the judiciary and consolidating democratic institutions are the best weapon against Russia. Because Putin's only fear is that democracy and our social model will reach Moscow's Red Square. We must all have something clear, and that is that to overcome with force is not to convince, and in life we must convince. Putin won't convince because convincing means persuading and to persuade he needs something he's missing right now: You need reason and right. So, we have a lot of work to do. Ukraine can be sure that the Social Democratic family will be at its side. The greatest tribute we can pay to the people who lost their lives in Maidan Square and the Donbas Valley is our commitment to a stable, prosperous and democratic neighbourhood.

Madam President, health – and we know this in full knowledge today – is one of the main concerns of European citizens: we all defend the right to health protection and access to health care and appropriate treatment; However, when we talk about sexual and reproductive health, some already take a step back and deny this right to citizens, especially denying it to women, to those most affected. Human sexuality remains taboo, although it is essential to ensure the preservation of humanity; Unfortunately, there are many who, short-sighted, equate sexual and reproductive health to abortion and completely deny the term. Sexual and reproductive health goes much further: It covers regular health checks to ensure the health of women and men, health care for pregnant women and mothers, treatments for sexually transmitted diseases... Also, reproductive treatments for women and men, fertility treatments and assisted reproduction techniques, as well as contraceptives. Also, I do not deny it, it understands the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, because no woman should be forced to be a mother if she does not want it, whatever the reason she alleges. Prohibiting abortion does not mean that more children will be born, it means that more women will die, who will have to resort to clandestine abortions in unsafe conditions; women without economic resources, because those who do have them will go to other countries where it is allowed to do so. It is unacceptable that in the 21st century women will die in Europe because of this, and – believe me, because it is a blatant reality – if we ban abortion, women will die. The World Health Organization estimates that 25 million unsafe abortions occur every year, the vast majority in developing countries, and thousands upon thousands of deaths from these causes are estimated. The only thing that really works to prevent unwanted abortion is ensuring access to affordable contraceptives and age-appropriate sex education for learners from an early age: only then will the abortion rate be reduced. As an important Argentine campaign advocated, "sexual education to decide, contraceptives not to abort, legal abortion not to die." The social need to advance the complete decriminalization of abortion is a public health issue that must be addressed, that of equal universal access to health. Sexual health and rights are essential services. I reiterate the request of the Socialist Group - which, moreover, President Macron recovered yesterday - to include sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and in the public health strategy of the European Union. And I also want to call on governments to apply reduced VAT to feminine hygiene products, which are not luxury goods, they are indispensable products for women: Unfortunately, many women without resources have difficulty accessing them. Remember before you vote "no" on sexual and reproductive health and rights: They are denying health care to pregnant women, mothers and people with sexually transmitted diseases and are also depriving men and women, young people, of access to contraceptives to choose from. Therefore, let us be aware of the work ahead of us, let us be aware that this struggle requires not taking a step backwards, that sexual and reproductive health and rights are citizenship rights in the European Union and that from the Group of Socialists and Democrats we will not allow us to take a step backwards in the defense of women's rights.

Madam President, given the ideological difference that we all obviously have here, I ask that we be respectful of today's debate in this House: out of respect for Europe, out of respect for our citizens. We will all have the opportunity to campaign to support our colleagues from the various political groups, of course I will too. But this is not the time. Whenever we want, we meet our teammates from every match in the campaign. A little respect for Europe: I think he deserves it. (Applause)

Madam President, President Macron, welcome to the European Parliament. This rotating presidency of the Council comes at a time when the pandemic has allowed the Union to take historic steps in advancing the integration project. In his New Year speech he promised a change of course in 2022 to achieve a powerful Europe in the world, fully sovereign, free in its elections and in command of its destiny. Europe will only be powerful in the world if it is able to eradicate poverty and inequalities. European democracy needs to build a social Europe that curbs the most damaging instincts of right-wing populism. We must conclude the reforms on the table, such as the establishment of minimum wages across the European Union, the regulation of working conditions for platform workers, the creation of vital minimum incomes or the launch of the Social Climate Fund. Our power in the world will also depend on whether we are able to live in equality. Unlock the Anti-Discrimination Directive, support the Gender-Based Violence Directive and push for the necessary agreements to close the pay gap and break the glass ceiling that limits the presence of women on boards. Europe will have no future if it leaves out millions of women who make up half of its population. Nor will there be a present or a future if we do not defend the only tool capable of protecting the values that unite us: the rule of law. We must implement the conditionality mechanism and remain committed not to approve the recovery plans of Poland and Hungary until their governments return to the path of democracy and comply with the rulings of the Court of Justice. A powerful Europe will be one that leads a fairer and more sustainable energy transition, avoiding catastrophic climate change. We are aware of the special circumstances of France or Germany, but the Commission's proposal on nuclear energy and gas cannot weaken our global leadership in renewables, the only green ones. France must sincerely exercise powerful leadership that takes advantage of the pattern of European response that has been created during the pandemic. Together – and we did it together – we put together an ambitious recovery plan, the most ambitious in the Union’s history, with more than €750 billion backed by a pooled debt. Now we must prevent a premature adjustment that kills growth. Austerity hurt the poorest and enriched the richest. We need a reform of tax rules that fosters fair growth and supports the public investment needed to drive forward the policies and priorities we are setting from the European Union today, such as the green transition and the digital transition. The time has come for Europe's defence to step on the accelerator. The withdrawal from Afghanistan, the AUKUS and the crises with Russia and Belarus must serve us to accept the development of strategic sovereignty. But the European Union cannot grow within a fortress, but through solidarity with the world. This Parliament is still waiting for the Council to agree on the only possible instrument to prevent the death of human beings at our borders: a migration pact based on solidarity. Mr Macron, your presidency will not go down in history because of your great oratory skills, but because of the set of laws that together we are able to carry forward. The times we live in require us to make a big leap and, therefore, we also need to be aware that the motto of your presidency ends with the feeling of belonging. And so I want to end. Membership requires popular conviction. Put young people and the most vulnerable at the heart of your presidency and you will never again be asked to remove the European flag from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. I extend my hand to this House, because we in the Social Democratic family also want every citizen to be delighted to see the European blue light up the monuments of the towns and cities of our Union. As Jean Monnet taught us, "Let's not coalesce states, let's unite people."

Madam President, congratulations, President. It is an important day for this institution, for this House and for those of us who believe that the European project needs dialogue, it needs understanding, it needs to build bridges with those of us who think differently, but we want to work for the common good of European citizenship: That's what we've been chosen for. I am therefore going to keep the words we shared yesterday at the commemorative ceremony in honour of our dear President David Sassoli and ask him to keep that legacy, the legacy of a man, a president, who worked for a more supportive Europe, for a fairer Europe, for a Europe that was close to those who need us most: I am sure that, if that is your idea, if you work in that direction, you will have the support of the Socialists and Democrats Group for that. There is another issue, which is also important for us. Dear President, you know that today you are no longer a Member of a parliamentary group but the President of this whole House; today you become the President of all MEPs in this institution and it will therefore be up to you – as I am sure you will – to defend the positions of this House that result from our debates and our votes: is democracy, and we need, today more than ever, to defend European democracy. I wish you every success because the personal successes of your work will be the collective successes of our institution and of our European project.

Madam President, Alessandra, Giulio, Livia, ladies and gentlemen, Jacques Delors said that Europe lacks a soul; David Sassoli embodied precisely that soul of Europe. This is perhaps the most difficult, the most painful speech, because we haven't lost just one great president: We have lost a comrade, a friend, and Europe has lost an exemplary politician. Politics as a service to the common good, as a collective effort to improve people's lives, and all always with a smile, with a kind look and a sincere will to build bridges, to move forward together without leaving anyone behind, and, above all, worrying about the most vulnerable, about those who need politics to get ahead, because the value of the person, his dignity, is the measure of our policies, as David said. In the opening speech of his presidency, in this very House, he listed the founding values of our Union – freedom, dignity and solidarity – for which we must work inside and outside Europe, and to this David dedicated his life, this noble goal, and his family, and his friends. For the last two and a half years he devoted himself entirely to this House, which is the house of European democracy. He had to face the worst crisis the continent has known since the post-war period: We must thank him for his efforts to keep this Parliament open and operational, even if that meant living away from his family and standing at the foot of the canyon during the worst of times. In very difficult circumstances we learned to work together, always with that wide smile and that outstretched hand that really made everything easier. He raised the voice of this Parliament to call for a European solidarity response, with a jointly financed recovery fund to be able to offer that European response, but, in addition, David did not forget the most urgent needs: when everything was closed at the worst of times - many of you have already remembered it - he set up a soup kitchen here in Parliament and a reception centre for women victims of gender-based violence in these facilities. In his last video, in December, he reminded us again of the obligation to take care of the weakest, and that social protection is our hallmark as Europeans and Europeans. There are many people who keep an endearing memory of David because he made himself loved: From all political groups and from all corners of Europe there are signs of affection for the loss of a good, committed, passionate Europeanist man, capable of dialogue and at the same time standing firm in his principles of freedom, democracy and solidarity. Therefore, the best tribute we can make to him today is to continue with his legacy: building a social Europe and a migration policy that puts people at the centre; working together to make the Europe to which he dedicated his life a reality. As you know, David was also a very generous person, so today I'm going to ask him one last favor: I am going to borrow a little of that Christian faith that he had, and that I lack, to think that wherever he is he will be able to see the affection and respect that he has left among all of us. Amic expensive, expensive President, rimarrai sempre with noi. (Applausi)

Ladies and gentlemen, President, President, we have reached the equator of the pandemic-stricken legislature and we cannot yet say that it is over. We already see that with COVID we cannot let our guard down, but neither can we be distracted from the reforms necessary for the transformation of our European project. Over the next two and a half years, we must lay the foundations for a Europe that is more resilient to future crises and reduce instability in areas such as energy supply or migration management of our borders. This crisis challenges us because it is precisely in difficulties that convictions are demonstrated, and I hope that we can resolve all these issues with respect for our values. The EU has been able to react quickly to the new wave of COVID and, fortunately, the vaccine contracts signed by the Commission include updates for the new variants. We see that the vaccination rate in the Member States varies greatly. The vaccine is the best weapon we have to deal with the virus; But, in the absence of competences, we can only ask the Commission to report transparently to citizens and governments and to boost communication and vaccination campaigns. In my country the vaccination rate is 96% of the target population, while in other countries it does not reach 40%. The discussion of mandatory vaccination is necessary, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. President von der Leyen, you said that this would be a geopolitical Commission and now is the time to show the world that we are loyal, supportive and effective partners. Today, the only way to ensure that everyone has access to an effective vaccine is with the exception of Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). If we limit ourselves to COVAX, we will not be able to exceed the production limits imposed on pharmaceutical companies. Much is still unknown about omicron, but what the global alert has shown is the enormous danger of the current inequality in access to vaccines. Another more lethal or vaccine-resistant variant may appear at any time and this is more likely to occur in places with high virus circulation and low vaccination rate. Despite the support of more than one hundred of the one hundred and sixty-four countries of the World Trade Organization and also that of this Parliament, it is intolerable that the proposal is blocked by the European Commission and some countries. After a year, it is time for the Commission to recognise that the current regulation on voluntary licensing has not been a real alternative. Neither does altruism. The COVAX programme has distributed just 550 million doses out of the 2,000 that should be delivered before the end of this year. Insufficient figure. Reality is a failure. G20 countries account for 80% of the vaccines now produced. While Europe has 70% of the vaccinated population, Africa has only 7%. What is the solution? Do we want Africa to become the continent of COVID? Are they also willing to build walls in front of the countries that we are vaccinated? If we continue to accumulate vaccines and prioritize the interests of pharmaceutical companies, people will continue to die in the poorest countries. We put human rights at the heart of our response to the pandemic by ensuring universal access to vaccines, medicines and technologies. I told them that the world needs union, a stronger, more autonomous union; not to isolate ourselves, but to lead fairer international relations that seek the dignity of all people. And for that we have to improve our strategic autonomy, reduce our dependence not only on autocratic governments that do not hesitate to use refugees as a political weapon, but also on markets and speculation, which only seek economic benefit. This cannot be achieved overnight, but in the remaining two and a half years of the legislature we have an obligation to invest in new structures, both in strategic industry and in vaccine production. The proposal to launch a centralised natural gas purchasing platform, for example, to facilitate the creation of strategic reserves would be a step in the right direction. We know that Putin conceives his relations with Europe as a geopolitical chess game to recover the lost squares with the end of the Soviet Union. Neither NATO nor the European Union can allow Moscow to impose its law, destroy the fledgling democracy in Ukraine and intimidate neighbouring countries. Putin's pretensions to achieve a formal guarantee that a new NATO enlargement will never occur cannot be acceptable; not only the sovereignty of Ukraine is at stake, but also the project of European integration. I wanted to end by assuring my group's willingness to continue to work loyally in the second half of the legislature so that the Commission, the Council and Parliament can move forward in this Europe that we want and need. But I ask you one thing: to act with the same diligence. Mrs von der Leyen, in the State of the Union debate speech, promised a directive against gender-based violence before the end of the year. There's two weeks left. I hope it wasn't just an announcement, but a reality. And I wish all of you happy and caring parties.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Vice-President Timmermans, after four years of uncertainty about the departure of the United States from the Paris Agreement, it seems that in Glasgow the international community is returning to the path of responsibility and solidarity: solidarity with future generations who want to live on a planet in good health. Four years ago, we already knew that we could not exceed the limit of the degree and a half of temperature warming above pre-industrial levels. We gambled a lot. And finally, in Glasgow, the Parties have confirmed this objective. For some, of course, it's not enough, and I get it. I understand that because we must always aspire to more. But, as we Europeans know, every big company is built step by step, and this is a very important step. The Parties have agreed on the technical details of the Paris Agreement Rulebook and agreed to review their commitments by the end of 2022. In addition, developed countries will double their contribution to the Adaptation Funds. To some it may seem little, but two years ago this would have seemed impossible. The European Union has done a great deal of diplomatic work, because we know that for this global challenge we need to mobilise everyone. And for that, I want to congratulate Frans Timmermans for the difficult negotiations, for his discreet and effective work. And we are going to show that we cannot wait any longer and that the European Union needs to be an example. It has been with the Green Deal, with the Climate Law and it will be with the Fit for 55 package. But we don't want to stay here and now we go back to work to take another step forward. From our political family we will continue working so that this transition takes people into account. For the first time in Glasgow, there is talk of the 'Just Transition', something we have been discussing for a long time. We are going to fight for social conditionality to be in each of the reports, in each of the legislations, because we will not be able to change our habits if we are not also able to prevent the most vulnerable classes from paying the bill for the ecological transition. Our entire economy must be consistent with this great goal: leave a habitable planet for future generations, because we need a green future with a red heart.

Mr President, I would like to start intervening with this situation regarding the new wave of COVID-19. Obviously, the impact of this new wave in Europe is worrying and, in addition, it also shows the differences depending on the level of vaccination of citizens. That is why, today more than ever, it is essential to also send a message from here that is not exclusively a political message; is a message based on the knowledge of science. And we will only end this pandemic when we have vaccinated the entire population: the population of Europe and the population outside the European Union as well. The following are obvious facts: Those who are now occupying most of the intensive care units in hospitals are citizens who have not yet been vaccinated. Therefore, today we can say that the vaccine has saved millions of lives – millions of lives – and therefore we have to keep striving, I insist, to ensure the highest levels of vaccination within the European Union, also by making progress on the third dose, but that cannot be incompatible with ensuring that outside the European Union citizens also have access to this vaccine. It is essential that we talk about instruments such as COVAX, but also to guarantee other types of instruments that make it possible for all citizens outside the European Union to have this access. Moreover, the force of events at our borders also compels us to act swiftly. If the European Union is able to assert its full international weight, the transfer of migrants to Belarus can be stopped. Sanctions against the Lukashenka regime and the veto on airlines and travel agencies involved in human trafficking are important instruments, such as stepping up pressure on Russia and engaging countries of origin and transit to end the instrumentalisation of human lives; put an end to organized mafias. Our response to the dictator Lukashenka cannot be incompatible with the obligation of the Polish Government, too, to alleviate the suffering of those trapped at the gates of the European Union and to respect their right to asylum. Demand that the Polish authorities allow the entry of the media and humanitarian organisations, as well as UN and EU agencies, to ensure the necessary humanitarian assistance. Let us not get caught up in the agenda of the extreme right that identifies immigration with invasion, war or substitution of ethnic population. Decide which Europe you want to build: the Europe that broke down walls or the Europe that wants to raise new barriers. You have to choose. Clearly, our political group stands with that Europe that broke down walls. We must choose between the Europe that promoted free movement or the Europe of extremist governments that are destroying their democracies. Ultimately, we have to choose between building a Europe of indifference to the suffering of migrants or a Europe of solidarity with those who need us. Clearly, our group stands with that Europe of solidarity. Also, from the Aegean to the Strait of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean tragedy repeats itself over and over again. Understand once and for all that only a common policy on immigration, asylum and borders, consistent with international legality and respect for human rights, will prevent us from being held hostage by autocratic regimes. Prime Minister Morawiecki appeals to the solidarity of the European Union while despising its founding principles. Mrs von der Leyen, maintain your commitment to the rule of law and also not to approve the recovery plan and activate the conditionality mechanism if governments such as Hungary and Poland continue with this extremist drift and do not return to the path of the division of powers and the independence of the judiciary. Let us take advantage of the crisis in Belarus to deal more effectively with the new threats. We have to be aware that we are not only part of a union of interests, but also of values. And there is no greater threat to our security than that which pushes us to adopt the ideas and principles of the adversary. The strategic compass to succeed will need a good moral compass, because human dignity does not belong to any culture nor is it a geopolitical weapon. It belongs to all of us and it is our obligation to defend it.

Madam President, the use of migrants by dictator Lukashenka for political purposes is, in addition to being inhumane, criminal. Given the gravity of the situation, the European Union must give a firm response, without confusing the reality of the facts. The approximately two thousand men, women and children abandoned to their fate, with sub-zero temperatures and no access to water, food and shelter, do not represent a danger to our security, they are only victims of a cruel tyrant. Do not be ambiguous in the search for solutions: publicly affirm before this House that the European Union will never finance walls! We have other instruments to stop the drama of the Polish-Belarusian border: adopt without delay new sanctions against the Lukashenka dictatorship, including measures against individuals and companies; prohibit airlines that assist in the transfer of migrants from third countries from flying to European territory; and propose an appropriate financial plan to allow Poland to have an immediate response. In turn, the Polish Government should allow access for UN agencies and NGOs to ensure the necessary humanitarian aid, as well as for the media to know the reality on the ground. Take any action you deem appropriate, but do so in line with EU law and international obligations, i.e. with respect for human rights. The Lukashenka regime cannot exempt us from the law that the tyrant strives to despise: hot returns are illegal and the right of asylum must prevail over all circumstances. The migratory drama is repeated before our eyes day by day, without pause, with the same suffering, although by different paths. Not only between Poland and Belarus, but also between Greece and Turkey, between Italy and Libya and between France and the United Kingdom, with six thousand people living in subhuman conditions in Calais. We cannot resign ourselves to the fact that the only solution of a democratic and civilized Europe is a state of mind united in impotence. We can't afford it. Yesterday marked the 32nd anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. A historic milestone in our integration project that always reminds us that walls never alleviate suffering, they only aggravate it. Mr Michel, Mr Weber, do not use your efforts to build walls that have so often buried the dignity of people on European soil. Let us work together to overcome the unfulfilled promises of a common migration policy that respects human dignity. The suspension of fundamental rights on our border would only lead us to that state of savage nature in which human beings were imprisoned, expelled and humiliated. We cannot allow the rights of migrants and asylum-seekers to sink into the very places where they must be respected, which is at the borders. Recent Presidencies have missed the opportunity to reach a consensus in the Council to adopt a new pact on migration and asylum. If France does not achieve a common position during its presidency, the extreme will be achieving its objectives and its xenophobic programme will be the only beneficiary of the migratory tragedy. And, in the meantime, we will continue to cry helplessly that human beings continue to risk their lives on our borders by land, sea and air.

Madam President, President von der Leyen, in the same way as Mrs Lange's colleague, I would like to begin, of course, by referring to a debate that we had yesterday in this House and which shows the concern of the vast majority of European democrats with regard to what is happening at the moment with the defence and guarantee of the rule of law in Europe. Yesterday we were demanding that the Commission act on this matter. Today we are doing so with the Council, too, so that it incorporates into its debates the need to make progress on this issue and not to allow the future of the European project to continue to be jeopardized. We are increasingly facing a cascade of challenges and challenges in our lives and there is no shortage of reasons for the European Union to act from within, but also from outside its borders. Striking electricity prices pushes us into energy poverty, destabilizes governments, slows economic recovery, disrupts political and social support for the green transition and exposes our vulnerability in relations with our partners. President von der Leyen, two weeks ago you said that the Commission was ready to explore ways to decouple the price of gas from energy. Last week the Commission presented a package of measures which, it is true, may be a first step, but they are still totally insufficient. Winter is approaching and we cannot accept that millions of citizens of the European Union are condemned to choose every day between eating or warming up. That cannot happen in the European Union. It is time to address the exceptionality of the situation with exceptional measures. We need a battery of tools to act on different fronts, from the reform of wholesale electricity market rules to the fight against speculation in CO2 emission rights markets, to the launch of a centralised European natural gas purchasing platform that facilitates the creation of strategic reserves. And we must also improve our energy security by diversifying energy sources, suppliers and routes, as well as by supporting third countries to accelerate their own energy transitions. The success or failure of global vaccination will also decide the European Union's place in the world. Global vaccination has accelerated, but the North-South gap remains very wide. While the European Union has managed to vaccinate more than 70% of its population, less than 3% of the population in the poorest countries is protected from the disease. Of the 2 billion doses to low-income countries that COVAX planned to distribute by the end of this year, only 300 have been distributed. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that global challenges must be addressed from a global perspective. To overcome this pandemic and the threat of disease, it must be eliminated in every corner of the planet. Turning the vaccine into another indicator of inequality is, in addition to immoral, confirmation that we have not understood anything. The more the virus is allowed to spread, the more likely it is to mutate into new vaccine-resistant variants. Now that we have successfully moved forward with vaccination, we have this important challenge. And the next European Council cannot forget one of Europe's Achilles heels either: migration. There will be no solution to the humanitarian drama our borders are experiencing until an immigration agreement based on the principles of responsibility, solidarity and humanity is reached. As our group reminded the European Commission in a letter today, the intention of several Member States to erect walls and allow hot returns violates the most fundamental rights of human beings. The European project was not born to build walls but to tear them down. Willy Brandt said that mental barriers survive longer than concrete ones. In the face of nationalist populism and Europhobic proclamations, we must use the legal instruments at our disposal, applying the mechanism of conditionality, resorting to legal abuses and defending judicial independence. Faced with this situation of urgency due to energy prices hitting the most vulnerable, with the inequality in the distribution of vaccines in the world and with the loss of human lives at our borders, we cannot limit ourselves again and again to not reaching nothing. We need compromises to be turned into results, and to achieve that we must not forget to listen to the voice of this Parliament as well. (Applause)

Mr President, first of all, I believe that many here would have to learn lessons. The first, of parliamentarism. That Members of the extreme right applaud Mr Morawiecki is normal, but that the Prime Minister brings a clap of officials to applaud him in a speech in plenary seems to me little respect for this House. In any case, I'm going to the content. I'm going to the contents. Europe is rich. And Europe is rich because it is diverse, because we are different, because we have different ideologies, because we have different beliefs, because we have different cultures, and that is what makes us rich. It makes us rich to be able to agree on so much difference, as we have shown here today. But, let me have one thing. It is not patriot who puts his country on the edge of the abyss, as this government is doing. Those aren't patriots. Patriot is the one who defends his country so that it continues to be part of the European project, as we have heard today from many comrades from different political groups in Poland. And that's what we're going to do. From the difference continue to understand us. It is much more that unites us. A red thread that unites us all. It looks invisible, but it's strong. And it is respect for the fundamental values of the European Union: solidarity, justice, tolerance, respect. That's what makes us strong. Drodzy przyjaciele! Solidarność naszą bronią.

Mr President, Mrs President von der Leyen, Prime Minister Morawiecki, it is important to hold this debate today, and we have done a great exercise in parliamentarism by listening to your speech, and I am sure that you will now do the same by listening to what the Members of this House have to say to you. And let me start with a statement: we are well aware of the importance of votes; who are here, we are representing those citizens who with their vote have trusted us and us, but let me remind you one thing that you as a Democrat should know, and that is that the votes do not give the legitimacy to overthrow democracy. We have to do this debate for the sake of the European Union and for the sake of Poland, because the ruling of the so-called Constitutional Court has created an unprecedented crisis. It is an unfortunate situation that I feel very much: I am sorry for the millions of Poles who want to be in the European Union, who feel like members of this family, and who now do not know what will happen to their future. You say you don't want a Polexit; I assure you that my political group does not either, but you will understand that this is a serious organisation based on legal certainty: unlike dictatorships or absolute monarchies, in the European Union the rule of law, which is equal for all and guarantees peace, is the rule of law; precisely because it is fair, because it is predictable and because it is fulfilled. You ask for respect for diversity. I would miss more, that is the wealth of our Union! But what makes it possible for us all to decide, to agree, are precisely rules of the game that guarantee equality for all; Therefore, when one threatens not to respect the rules, he puts himself alone before the exit door: No one's kicking him out, he gets lonely. Let me tell you that it seems to me that we are missing the focus of the debate: When you and the PiS party present a confrontation between Polish sovereignty and European sovereignty, you have not understood what the Union is. Seventy years ago the founders understood that, in an interdependent world, the best way to exercise sovereignty in certain areas is to share it because together we can better solve problems, together we are stronger. Here we come voluntarily because we trust one another, because we believe in a better future; nobody forces us to be here, nobody snatches anything from us for being part of the European Union, but to be able to share that sovereignty there are some basic principles that are assumed: the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, respect for freedom of the press ... And it seems to me that this is where the problem lies, that governments like yours have embarked on a path of regression and authoritarianism. That is why their problem is not with the legal order of the European Union, it is with the principles of democracy and the rule of law, and that is even more worrying. Is annoyed by the fact that the European institutions remind him of this; I am sorry, we cannot be silent, precisely because of loyalty to the European project. The Commission is obliged to act, Mrs von der Leyen, the waiting times are over: the Commission is the guardian of the Treaties. Because, when it is accepted that one cheats and trust is lost, we stop being partners to finally become competitors. And neither in this Parliament can we therefore be silent because this is the seat of European democracy, because this is where we are reflecting what Polish citizens also want: We have heard what they are asking in the streets and they are asking us to support them, just as the judges and prosecutors in their country are asking us to do, Mr Morawiecki. In all this sad and unfortunate crisis there is something good: Beyond laws and beyond economic plans, the Union is a family, and that is being seen these days on the streets of Poland. Poland is much more than PiS, as Hungary is much more than Orbán and Slovenia is much more than Janša; and the citizens of these countries, who are suffering from the authoritarian drift of their governments, trust the Union, and we will be their voice and we will accompany them and we will not leave them alone, nor will we leave Polish women alone, we will continue to work with them to guarantee their rights and that no one decides on their behalf. We're in this together! A few weeks ago I was in Warsaw and I felt the affection of many people who have put their trust in Europe; We're not gonna let them down. I too am aware of what these people think and we know that we will continue to dialogue, and we will always listen to you, Mr Morawiecki, we will listen to you with all due respect, but you will also listen to the vast majority of Europeans who want to work together. (Applause)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, this debate on the energy price crisis is fundamental. Fundamental and urgent, because the situation is already unsustainable for many families. And that is why I do not sincerely understand that we have not been able to agree in this House to, in addition to the debate, be able to move forward with a resolution. In any case, my group, the Socialists and Democrats Group, has a clear proposal on this and we are going to propose specific issues and work hand in hand with the Commission and the Council to move them forward. Because the price of energy is not just a national issue, it has a clearly European dimension. We welcome, Commissioner, the package of measures you have announced, which we are very curious to see if they are really as demanding as the moment demands. He referred to direct aid and perhaps later, in his next speech, he could insist a little more on the content, because there are really issues that are worth knowing in depth, but we will have time to see it and to see if the Commission acts up to the circumstances. We need short-term solutions because winter is approaching and a cluster of circumstances makes it foreseeable that prices will not fall on their own. As the market stands, there are abuses and a mismatch between supply and demand. But we also need medium-term solutions that enable energy markets to function more efficiently. Experience tells us that each state, on its own, is weaker and that, individually, governments are at the mercy of price speculation, even going so far as to compete with each other. Precisely the first of the European communities was born to jointly manage coal and steel, two critical raw materials for post-war economic development. It is time to act and for that we propose three measures. The European Commission must present a concrete plan to enable states to coordinate and react in periods of high energy market stress as a first step towards a true Energy Union. We must negotiate together, as we have done for the purchase of vaccines and establish a platform for the distribution of resources according to needs. What is unacceptable is that it is the most vulnerable who pay the abuse of the receipt while the big energy companies make millionaire benefits. The Fit for 55 package has to be an instrument that accelerates decarbonisation, but at the same time secures supply and autonomy and frees us from unacceptable political blackmail from some countries in our neighbourhood. It is an opportunity to invest in energy efficiency and renewable technologies, to invest in the future, overcoming a model based on outdated fossil fuels, unsustainable and responsible for the current price crisis. If the rules of the game are set at European level, the remedies must also be European. Second, steps must be taken to curb speculation in the carbon market. The European Union's carbon market has been breaking records for months due to speculation movements. This speculation must be stopped and a transition to a sustainable model must be ensured, because it is a path of no return. We have no choice, because we have no other planet. The European climate strategy, together with the recovery plan, make economic growth and sustainability compatible. The problem is speculation and those who want to take advantage at the expense of the most vulnerable. And thirdly, there is a need to revise the operating rules of electricity markets to make it easier for them to be incorporated into the market. mix cheaper energies such as renewables, while curbing price volatility. For years we Socialists and Democrats have been working to eradicate energy poverty in Europe. Every year we see families having to choose between eating or warming up and that is totally unacceptable. It's all right now. It is the responsibility of the institutions to ensure minimum welfare for all Europeans. Unfortunately, today we are forced to talk about it because the crisis in the price of energy and energy poverty is a major concern for a large part of European citizens. All eyes are on Brussels because citizens expect a European response. It is our duty to act. (Applause)

Mr President, it is difficult, in a minute, to make an assessment of this whole debate, so I will be allowed to focus on one issue. I have heard the far right in this House hold the European Union's climate policy accountable for the rise in electricity prices. I have to tell you one thing: Make no mistake. You can't be more wrong. That's not the problem. The problem with rising electricity prices is that there are those who triple their profits at the expense of citizens and users and, therefore, what needs to be done is to be firm in defending the fight against climate change with the policies we have to put in place, but also to look for measures to balance the profits of companies with the real cost of electricity on the market. Mrs von der Leyen, in conclusion, I believe that we have faced this COVID crisis with courage. And courage is necessary, but not only in times of crisis. Courage is needed to build a Europe that is truly on the side of citizens. If you think we need to keep betting, you have the Socialists and Democrats Group on that path.

Madam President, Madam President von der Leyen, ladies and gentlemen, a year ago we held this debate in exceptional circumstances. We faced important challenges: curbing the spread of the pandemic, ensuring vaccination in Europe, historic investments to mitigate the economic effects of the crisis, accompanied by social measures that leave no one behind, and, at the same time, strengthening our democracies in the face of attacks that weaken the rule of law. Looking back, we can take a positive balance: 70% of the European population is vaccinated, the digital certificate has restored one of our Union’s fundamental freedoms – freedom of movement –, we have approved the Next Generation EU and money is starting to reach people, families and businesses. From the Social Democratic family, we have not stopped insisting that these investments must be made with the future in mind. They must be the beginning of a transition towards a more sustainable economic and social model, a true Pact for Sustainability. The Climate Law is an important milestone for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and this Parliament managed to raise greenhouse gas reductions above 55% by 2030. But we cannot fall into complacency. We've done a lot, yes, but we're only halfway there. One of the most important aspects of the European Union needs to be strengthened: the Health Union. President von der Leyen, when she presented the political orientations of her mandate to this House, promised to make a transition to a green social market economy. But let me tell you that these three elements are far from balanced yet. Undoubtedly, it is in the area of environmental sustainability where the European Commission's agenda has advanced the most, with a whole battery of laws, with the "Fit for 55" package of measures. It is a team effort led by Vice President Timmermans and a sign that collegiality works when all the ideas and energies of the entire College are added together. Among them, socialists miss a law to protect biodiversity. This summer's fires and floods are a clear example of that need and you have referred to it. But what worries me most is that there is an imbalance between the three pillars of this new economic and social model that we want to build, a resilient model that guarantees the well-being of people. To avoid a social divide as we move forward in environmental policies, it is imperative to strengthen the Social Climate Fund. And when I say strengthening the Social Climate Fund, I mean providing it with more economic means and clear criteria in its distribution. In its foresight report a year ago, the Commission said a resilient Europe will come out sooner and come out stronger in the face of any crisis to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Let us not forget that this is the ultimate goal of any policy, of any strategy: the well-being of people. That is what we must devote our time, our effort to. I think we have not done enough yet, because the pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties and inequalities of an unjust economic model. The most vulnerable groups are those who have suffered the most and who continue to suffer: elderly, children, health and care workers, people with fewer resources and less training, immigrants, who, moreover, let us not forget, are at risk of being scapegoats for populist and xenophobic messages. Further reforms are needed to reduce the level of uncertainty. But this people-centred economy also requires governance reforms, with indicators that take human development into account, and it requires a real social pillar. The Porto Summit was a first step, but we need clear objectives to continue its implementation. I would also like to reiterate a fundamental point: the gender dimension. You made a lot of announcements, Mrs. von der Leyen, this morning. Let me tell you that, for my group, the announcement of the Commission's commitment to present a law against gender-based violence in Europe is undoubtedly great, excellent news. We have been asking for years for this European law to fight against the greatest scourge that exists at the moment, because in the world, in Europe, there are women who lose their lives, who are killed for the mere fact of being women, and we cannot remain impassive in the face of this reality. And let me tell you that I still do not understand how there can be groups in this House that are not willing to incorporate gender-based violence into the European legal order. Let's work to make this so. Migration and asylum policy is also a moral duty – speaking of moral duties – because it is fundamental, because we are seeing what is happening in Afghanistan, and also the need for Europe to speak with one voice in foreign policy. Let's be brave, it's time to overcome unanimity to decide on foreign policy. And the rule of law is fundamental. The European Union is values, it is a defence of the rule of law, and we must be firm. The Commission has taken steps, but it has to be even braver. The Socialists and Democrats Group is going to be on it. Finally, reflecting on the great upheavals with which we began the 21st century, said Jorge Sampaio, a great European and a great socialist, who did not know what the world would be like in a few years, who only hoped to look back and see that we have managed to preserve the values of democracy, fundamental rights, freedom and tolerance. He is no longer with us, but his struggle for those values is also ours, for today's Europe and for future generations. (Applause)

Madam President, it breaks my heart to see how the Taliban have destroyed our country in one day. These words are from Nilofar Bayat, an Afghan Paralympic athlete who was evacuated from Afghanistan to Spain last August, but they are also the words of thousands of Afghan women and girls who do not remember what it is like to live in subjugation. The first lesson to be learned is to accept that a country cannot be transformed without the strong support of the local population. The military intervention – let’s face it – has been a failure, but there is still time for the humanitarian response and for it not to be a failure. It is not time to seek culprits now among allies, but to work together for the stability of the country and the region and for the protection of the rights of the Afghan population. The launch of a reception centre in Madrid by the Government of Pedro Sánchez for the Afghan collaborators of the European Union and their families is a commendable gesture of solidarity. It is now necessary to strengthen a humanitarian corridor, coordinated by the European External Action Service, to repatriate the thousands of people left behind, and allow all governments to grant humanitarian visas and shelter to people fleeing Taliban terror. We cannot proclaim on the air respect for human rights while millions of people sink into despair before our eyes. Let us now abandon double language, turn words into deeds and reach an agreement on migration in the European Union, a pact endowed with sufficient material means and based on the principles of solidarity and humanity. Let us never forget that Europeans are the children and grandchildren of refugees who also fled persecution in search of a better future. The effort made in Afghanistan over the past twenty years cannot become a nostalgic memory. In addition to building schools and hospitals, freedom and equality flourished, particularly for a new generation of Afghans. The Taliban have not changed: They still consider women inferior beings and continue to consider that they have fewer rights than men. Women of the world: let us unite to help Afghan women and girls with all our strength; The brave protests in the streets show that they are full of energy, hope and dreams. The Taliban will be able to conquer the territories, but they will never conquer hearts and minds. I call for the support of this House for Afghan women to be awarded the 2021 Sakharov Prize. The return of the Taliban also marks the beginning of a new geostrategic reality in which the European Union must begin to fend for itself. The time for Byzantine discussions about whether we need strategic autonomy must come to an end. Let us develop a genuine common foreign and security policy that will enable us to equip ourselves, as soon as possible, with the instruments necessary to guarantee the Union's sovereignty. Creating an international operational force that circumvents the unanimity trap would prevent anyone from giving lessons to the European Union again. The fall of Kabul has been a severe defeat for those of us who believe in the progress of humanity. In a world still torn between civilization and barbarism, it is time to show that our European dream has not only made the greatest period of peace and prosperity on our continent a reality, but that it must also be a great legacy to give human response to the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Mr President, last Friday, in Spain, Samuel was murdered at the age of 24; They beat him to death while yelling "faggot." This latest victim is the horrific realization of where hate speech and anti-LGBTI are leading us; Discriminatory discourses and policies promoted across Europe by far-right movements and their complicit governments, in a homophobic and anti-human rights crusade. Because yes, LGBTI rights are human rights. And, in the European Union, acting against them is illegal. That is why the new law in Hungary must be repealed for violating human rights and for being an indecency and an embarrassment. Because these retrograde laws are a germ of hatred and violence, to discriminate according to who you love, to insult at a Pride march in Zagreb, as happened on Saturday, or to kill a 24-year-old boy. Let me be clear: in the European Union anyone should have the same rights and opportunities to love whomever they love. The Council reacted against the Hungarian government, but action needs to be taken, from the use of the conditionality mechanism to sanctions via Article 7, and once and for all unblocking the Anti-Discrimination Directive. This House cannot accept the whitewashing of anti-LGBTI speeches that are launched from the grandstands that incite hatred, nor did municipalities, stadiums and public places that were illuminated with the rainbow, in the face of the gloomy and dark politics of the Hungarian Government; even Budapest. Let's be clear: Hungary is not Orbán. Finally, let me send a message to all those LGBTI people who may be listening to us, who are afraid to say who they love, who suffer because they feel alone and threatened: We are at your side, we love you and we defend you. Never doubt your dreams or your rights. Those who have no place are the governments that hate and discriminate, not you and you, because you make a Union proud of itself, a Union proud of your freedom and your love.

Mr President, the discriminatory law of the LGTBI community approved by the Hungarian Parliament requires a firm reaction. And I am glad to have heard today from Mr Michel and Mrs von der Leyen a clear position in defence of the rule of law. We know that Mr Orbán is not alone, as evidenced by Poland's infamous "LGBT ideology-free zones" or the regrettable attunement to that ideological drift of the Slovenian government. It's all right now! We are part of a community of core values and principles. It must be borne in mind that the solution is not to signal the exit door to Hungary - we must also say so. Hungary is not your government. Let's not forget. We have other instruments: Let us speed up the Article 7 procedure and move forward with the suspension of funds due to deficiencies in the rule of law. We must also be able to improve our ability to react in an increasingly turbulent neighborhood. The latest act of Belarusian state piracy, Russia's run-ins with illegal annexations of territories, poisonings, cyber-attacks and propaganda, Turkey's defiant attitude in the Mediterranean waters and the use of people on the southern shore to give a pulse to the Union's borders require quick and precise responses, and for this we need to thoroughly explore the possibilities of acting without unanimity with the margin offered by the Treaty. The European Union is not only an economic giant, but has already demonstrated its ability to exercise geopolitics when circumstances require it. Sanctions against Russia following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 have dealt a significant blow to Moscow, made possible by a remarkable example of unity. Precisely, the relationship with Russia has shown another dividing line between the Member States. While some partners' mistrust of Russia is justified, they are wrong to reject a high-level dialogue with the Russian authorities. Dialogue itself is not a concession. A global power like the European Union has to talk to all actors, even those with whom it has deep disagreements. With neighbors like Putin, Lukashenko or Erdoğan, we need a strategy that combines maximum firmness in response to their abuses with dialogue to defend our interests in the face of common challenges. Indeed, the pandemic continues to transform the global balance of power. The huge gap between the least resourced countries and the most advanced economies has repercussions worldwide: economically and socially, with increasing inequalities, and in the health field, with the risk of new variants of the virus. The European Union must lead both global vaccination and the mobilisation of public funding to ensure access to international liquidity for developing economies. Because a rapid global economic recovery will not only result in the well-being of European citizens, but also in Europe's influence in tomorrow's world.