Speeches

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the report by Isabel Wiseler-Lima, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Human Rights and Democracy in the World and the European Union’s policy in this area – Annual Report 2022 (2022/2049(INI)) (A9-0298/2022).

Now I must give a short statement. Normally, and I will inform you again, only people who are present for all of the debate have the right to be part of the catch-the-eye. Our next speaker was not here for all of the debate, but he was here for a majority of the time. That is the reason why I give you the floor, but next time please be present for the whole of the debate.

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the oral question to the Commission on the defence of democracy against foreign interference by Raphaël Glucksmann, on behalf of the Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE 2) (O-000048/2022 – B9-0032/22) (2022/2910(RSP)).

No, I do not because I have merely reiterated what the majority position of this House is and what the majority position of the Conference on the Future of Europe is. The fact that the democratisation process always goes hand in hand with a parliamentarisation process has nothing to do with the fact that we have different opinions here. But it is also a question of clarifying the majority position of this House.

As regards the honourable Member and the previous speakers, I would like to say very clearly: The position of this House is very clear, as is that of the Conference on the Future of Europe. We want a more democratic European Union. Veto is veto! The veto means blockade, and the veto is undemocratic. The veto is not a question of big or small. The veto is a question of future or blockade. Therefore, I think we should also say this in this clarity: The process of the European Union has always been that integration has been accompanied by democratization and democratization by parliamentarization. Unanimity does not fit a parliamentary democracy. It is unparliamentary and undemocratic. This criticism is not only directed at Hungary, but we have also had other countries this week, my own or the Netherlands, which have also vetoed it.

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the report by Sven Mikser, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (2021/2236(INI)) (A9-0274/2022)

Mr. Colleague, I have to tell you very clearly: I ask you to refrain from holding all responsible officials of the EU institutions in general custody because of the misconduct of a Member of the European Parliament.

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the Commission statement on the Turkish airstrikes on northern Syria and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (2022/2968(RSP)).

In accordance with Rule 132(2) of the Rules of Procedure, six motions for resolutions were tabled1. The debate is thus closed. The vote will take place on Wednesday, 14. December 2022, took place. _______________ 1 See the minutes.

Thank you very much, Commissioner. I would like to thank you for the clarity of your remarks, as well as the fundamental remarks, and I would like to underline once again that this House has today dismissed Vice-President Kaili as Vice-President of this House with only one vote against. Mr Jeroen Lenaers has now taken the floor.

Yes, Mr. Colleague, it is true. Firstly: Do you know that Question Time has a flexible length? Question time started at 3 p.m. and is now over after 70 minutes. When this was foreseeable, we started talking on the phone 20, 25 minutes ago and informed all factions and speakers. The first speakers, including the Commissioner, are present. Everyone was informed beforehand. I asked if I should interrupt. I have been told that this is not necessary because everyone is informed. I therefore begin the debate and may ask the Commissioner to speak. I assume that all those who have an interest and are on the list of speakers use their opportunities to follow the debate and arrive here in the course of the debate.

The next item on the agenda is the Commission statement on the suspicion of corruption against Qatar and the comprehensive need for transparency and accountability in the institutions (2022/3012(RSP)). I would like to warmly welcome Commissioner Ylva Johansson to this debate.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the end of Question Time. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the 21 questioners and to the Executive Vice-President, Ms Vestager, for their answers.

The next item on the agenda is Question Time with questions to the Commission. I warmly welcome the Executive Vice-President, Mrs Vestager, to this Question Time. I'm glad you're with us. The theme of this Question Time is: “Protecting strategic infrastructure from China’s influence”. The question time will take about 90 minutes, depending on the enquiries. You are aware of the speaking times: one minute for the question, two minutes for the answer, 30 seconds for a supplementary question and two minutes for the answer. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that a possible supplementary question is only admissible if it is closely related to the first question and does not contain a new topic or question. If you would like to ask a question, I would ask you to register your request now by using the function of your voting device for spontaneous interventions after you have inserted your voting card or it is still included. During Question Time, interventions will be made from your seat and I ask all speakers to respect the speaking time allocated to them. Members may need a few moments to register their request to ask a question via their voting device. I therefore ask you again to submit your request now.

The minutes of yesterday's meeting and the texts adopted are available. Are there any objections to this? That is not the case at the moment. The minutes have thus been approved.

The next meeting will take place tomorrow, Thursday 24 November 2022 at 9 a.m. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament's website.

Seven motions for resolutions were tabled at the end of the debate. The debate is closed. The vote will take place on Thursday 24 November 2022. Written declarations (Article 171)

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the statements by the Council and the Commission on the need for a European solution to asylum and migration, including search and rescue (2022/2950(RSP)), an issue that moves us all in all Member States, and I would like to warmly welcome the representatives of the Commission, Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Johansson, and the representative of the Council, Mr Bek, to our midst and to ask you, Mr Minister, to start your presentation.