David McAllister
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · DE
“Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the modernised global agreement is more than just a trade agreement; it is a comprehensive and strategic renewal of the relationship between Mexico and the European Union.”
“Be it security, migration, digitalisation, energy or climate change, we all know that none of these complex issues can be addressed by any country alone. Consequently, our relations with strategic partners no longer focus solely on trade, but also address the multifaceted concerns of an increasingly connected world.”
“Mr President, Commissioner, Türkiye is the bridge between Europe and the Middle East. Türkiye is a crucial NATO ally and remains a key partner in many areas, ranging from trade to migration, as we have heard this afternoon.”
“Madam President, I want to say something completely different. As Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, I would first of all like to thank all the rapporteurs and all the shadow rapporteurs and all the others in this House involved in carefully drafting and presenting these five reports. That's hard work. Well done!”
“So, let us strengthen our long‑standing cooperation where our interests align, while remaining clear and principled where our differences persist – and there are many. Let me thank Mr Nacho Sánchez Amor for more for presenting this carefully drafted and balanced report. 2-0363-0000”
“Frau Präsidentin! Europa braucht in der Tat eine sichere, bezahlbare und umweltfreundliche Energieversorgung. Und der Nordseegipfel am 26. Januar in Hamburg war dafür ein wichtiger Schritt. Drei Punkte möchte ich kurz hervorheben: Erstens braucht es eine stärkere grenzübergreifende Planung von Energieprojekten in der Nordsee.”
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“Be it security, migration, digitalisation, energy or climate change, we all know that none of these complex issues can be addressed by any country alone. Consequently, our relations with strategic partners no longer focus solely on trade, but also address the multifaceted concerns of an increasingly connected world. The modernised global agreement is a prime example of exactly this approach; in particular, I welcome the strong and timely political signal it sends in support of openness, fairness and international cooperation with our partners in Latin America and beyond. 2-0239-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the modernised global agreement is more than just a trade agreement; it is a comprehensive and strategic renewal of the relationship between Mexico and the European Union. As such, I am sure it will provide an updated framework for political dialogue, economic cooperation and sectoral engagement across a wide range of policy areas. Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical uncertainty and increasing pressure on the rules-based international order, the agreements with Mexico highlight the European Union's commitment to strengthening cooperation with like-minded partners. Most of today's challenges are transnational and therefore they require international cooperation.”
“Madam President, I want to say something completely different. As Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, I would first of all like to thank all the rapporteurs and all the shadow rapporteurs and all the others in this House involved in carefully drafting and presenting these five reports. That's hard work. Well done! But as Chair of our Committee on Foreign Affairs, I would also like to state that I regret that instead of us having individual debates on individual reports on individual countries, five Western Balkan countries have been pooled together under one item. I regret this, and I do hope that this will not be a precedent for the future. 2-0428-0000”
“So, let us strengthen our long‑standing cooperation where our interests align, while remaining clear and principled where our differences persist – and there are many. Let me thank Mr Nacho Sánchez Amor for more for presenting this carefully drafted and balanced report. 2-0363-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, Türkiye is the bridge between Europe and the Middle East. Türkiye is a crucial NATO ally and remains a key partner in many areas, ranging from trade to migration, as we have heard this afternoon. However, and indeed for the past eight years, the EU accession negotiations with Türkiye have remained at a standstill. Unfortunately, Türkiye has not yet addressed our concerns regarding democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rites. Quite the contrary. We continue to observe democratic backsliding, weakening judicial independence and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. In particular, the use of legal proceedings, including detention against key opposition representatives such as Mr Ekrem İmamoğlu, is deeply concerning.”
“Dieser muss klare Zeitrahmen, verbindliche Zuständigkeiten und regelmäßige Fortschrittsüberprüfungen enthalten. Der Nordseegipfel in Hamburg war ein klares Signal für eine sichere, saubere und wirtschaftliche Energieversorgung bei uns in Europa. 3-0267-0000”
“Frau Präsidentin! Europa braucht in der Tat eine sichere, bezahlbare und umweltfreundliche Energieversorgung. Und der Nordseegipfel am 26. Januar in Hamburg war dafür ein wichtiger Schritt. Drei Punkte möchte ich kurz hervorheben: Erstens braucht es eine stärkere grenzübergreifende Planung von Energieprojekten in der Nordsee. Ein neuer Offshore‑Finanzierungsrahmen soll gemeinsame Projekte erleichtern und so Planungssicherheit schaffen, Kosten senken und Synergien heben. Zweitens muss die Europäische Union gemeinsam mit der NATO die Sicherheit unserer Energieinfrastruktur vor Angriffen schützen. Die Energiefrage ist eine Frage der nationalen und europäischen Sicherheit. Und drittens: Es darf nicht bei Ankündigungen bleiben. Die Energieminister müssen jetzt einen konkreten Aktionsplan vorlegen.”
“Now is the time to deliver on the promises we have made to our citizens and to our partners. The Member States must now close their capability gaps, improve their coordination and significantly increase their defence investments. This requires political will, sustained commitment, and a sense of urgency. We can no longer wait. If Europe fails to meet this challenge, we will continue to be caught unprepared, as recent weeks, months and years have clearly shown. Preparing for what comes next means strengthening Europe's defence capabilities, protecting our sovereignty and preserving our independence now. 2-0100-0000”
“Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Union has achieved decisive progress towards taking more responsibility for its own security over the last decade. We have created some necessary tools to do so. Initiatives such as PESCO, the European Defence Fund, EDIRPA or SAFE, to name just a few, have put us in a stronger position to develop and strengthen our own security and defence capabilities. In addition, we have developed a complementary strategy outlined in the White Paper for European Defence and the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030. So, from my point of view, Commissioner Kubilius, you are on the right track. But, dear colleagues, these tools and strategy alone are, of course, not enough. The time for Sonntagsreden, as we call it in German – sunshine speeches – is simply over.”
“Auf den Protest antwortet das Regime mit dem offenen Aufruf zur Hinrichtung – ein Akt staatlicher Massengewalt. Die Mullahs sind bereit, jegliche Grenze zu überschreiten, um an der Macht zu bleiben. Die Europäische Union muss den Druck auf das Regime deutlich erhöhen. Davon sind wir in der Sanktionspolitik leider weit entfernt. Die bislang verhängten Sanktionen beeindrucken kaum – am wenigsten die Mullahs. Die Hoffnung, den Iran allein durch Verhandlungen von der nuklearen Bedrohung abzuhalten, ist gescheitert, und der damit verbundene Verzicht auf härtere Sanktionen hat leider nicht den gewünschten Erfolg gebracht. Jetzt, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, jetzt ist es an der Zeit, alle Instrumente konsequent einzusetzen, allen voran die Revolutionsgarden endlich zu listen als das, was sie sind – ein Strippenzieher des Terrors. 2-0319-0000”
“Herr Präsident, Frau Hohe Vertreterin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wie meine Vorrednerinnen und Vorredner bereits erwähnt haben, möchte auch ich unterstreichen, dass das Mullah‑Regime seit der Ausrufung der sogenannten Islamischen Revolution im Jahr 1979 ein System aus Repression und Terror errichtet hat. Die Menschenrechtslage im Iran ist seit Jahren katastrophal. Die Zahl der Hinrichtungen gehört zu den höchsten weltweit. Heute steht der Iran möglicherweise vor den tiefgreifendsten innenpolitischen und gesellschaftlichen Veränderungen seit 1979. Es eröffnet sich eine einmalige Chance, die Lage der Frauen spürbar zu verbessern und einen grundlegenden Wandel hin zu mehr Freiheit und Demokratie einzuleiten. Entscheidend ist: Die Systemfrage wird offener gestellt als je zuvor.”
“But it obviously lacks effective tools to prevent democratic backsliding or to respond to sustained malign influence, as we now, unfortunately, witness in Georgia. The deepening democratic crisis in Georgia reminds us that a solid neighbourhood policy and, in the same spirit, our enlargement policy must be clear, credible and conditional standing against those who undermine this and standing with those who choose Europe, the great people of Georgia. 3-0401-0000”
“Mr President, madam Minister, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, yesterday the European Parliament honoured Mzia Amaglobeli, a courageous representative of Georgia's pro-democracy movement, as one of the two Sakharov Prize laureates of this year. That Georgians are fighting to defend their democracy speaks volumes. The country was once a frontrunner of the Eastern Neighbourhood Policy. Colleagues have already pointed out that democratic decline marked by state capture, a severe crackdown on civil society and electoral fraud should concern us all. Commissioner McGrath, the Eastern Partnership was conceived in more optimistic times. It delivered connectivity and reforms and helped to bring Ukraine and Moldova onto a clear European path.”
“Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the European Union thrives on the free movement of people, goods, services and capital. Yet a soldier in uniform cannot cross a border without official permission. When heavy equipment is being moved across borders, weeks of planning, permits and slots in crowded rail networks are needed. In future, our defence readiness, as previous speakers have pointed out, will be measured not in days or even weeks, but in hours of action. Dear Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, in this context I welcome the Commission's action plan on military mobility, and it is in this context that northern Germany plays a pivotal role serving as a hub for troop deployments to and through Europe; just think of ports like Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Emden or Rostock.”
“But this vision, as speakers have pointed out, is increasingly challenged by Russia's militarisation, its expansive territorial claims and its hybrid activities. China's growing presence adds another layer of strategic complexity. This is why we need a more assertive Arctic diplomacy of the EU; an Arctic diplomacy that strengthens our resilience against hybrid threats, ensures the protection of critical infrastructure – from undersea cables to satellite systems – and guarantees that the opening of new Arctic sea routes does not become an open invitation to coercion or destabilisation. Let me thank the AFET Vice‑Chair for this very good report. 2-0559-0000”
“Madam President, Madam Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the Arctic is no longer a remote periphery. It has rapidly turned into a geopolitical frontier. Climate change is accelerating competition for resources, opening new sea routes and drawing global powers into a region that was once defined by cooperation. With Denmark, Finland and Sweden – three of our EU Member States, our Arctic nations and all of them now fully fledged NATO allies – the European Union has both responsibility and leverage. European security does not stop at the Baltic or the North Atlantic. It extends deep into the High North. As the European Union, we have a responsibility and a strategic interest in ensuring that the Arctic remains a zone of peace, sustainable development and international cooperation.”
“I can only echo what colleagues have said: Moldova's security is Europe's security, and we stand with the brave Moldovan citizens in their democratic choice. 2-0462-0000”
“Mr President, Madam Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, as we have heard from so many speakers tonight, and rightly so, as the Republic of Moldova approaches parliamentary elections later this month, the stakes are high – not just for the country, but for Europe as a whole. These elections on 28 September are not only about the future political direction of Moldova. They are a test of trust in democratic institutions, and a test of our commitment to defending democracy where it is most under attack. The European Parliament's resolution to be adopted tomorrow builds on our growth plan for Moldova, investing in economic resilience, democratic governance and strategic infrastructure. It is a signal of our long-term commitment.”
“Real reform cannot come from a party alone. It requires dialogue, trust and inclusivity between all Albanian political forces. The European Union, and especially this European Parliament, stands ready to support Albania's reform efforts, but the commitment must come from within. 2-0436-0000”
“Madam President, Madam Commissioner, dear colleagues, since becoming a candidate in 2014, Albania has indeed made progress. Yet major reforms remain imperative. The 2023 and 2024 reports on Albania have highlighted persistent challenges. The parliamentary elections in May this year took place in a deeply polarised environment. There were frequent parliamentary boycotts, constant confrontations and a lack of real dialogue. As we just heard, our election observation delegation, led by our colleague Michael Gahler, confirmed that these elections were competitive, yet marred by the abuse of public resources and vote buying. The Central Election Commission's limited enforcement failed to ensure a level playing field. The road ahead demands more than technical fixes. It requires political will and broad consensus.”
“The European Union is that alternative, empowering the democratic forces of Belarus to keep the dream of democracy and the rule of law alive. The future of Belarus belongs to its brave citizens and not to the dictator in Minsk. 2-0401-0000”
“Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, as colleagues have already mentioned, the recent release of a number of political prisoners in Belarus indeed offers a glimmer of hope amid a dark reality. Yet over a thousand remain unjustly imprisoned still. Belarus remains a battleground for truth. Journalists and dissenters face brutal repression, but their courage shines as a beacon for change. I recall the words of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in this House. She said, 'the EU from Lisbon to Minsk is a nightmare for Putin, but for us it is a reality we strive to live in'. Not despite, but precisely because of, the recent releases, we must stand firm, strengthening sanctions and supporting those who risk everything for freedom. Dictatorships thrive when alternatives seem absent.”
“Madam President, Madam High Representative / Vice-President, dear colleagues, I can only underline what so many colleagues from all the different groups have already argued this evening: the extent and the quality of any engagement with the United States should be decided in Nuuk. Greenland is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is sovereign and Greenland will decide its own future. The European Union will always stand for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rules-based world order. The Arctic is indeed changing. Strategic interests are indeed rising, but our values must remain firm. That's what I wanted to say as a North German neighbour of Denmark. 2-0353-0000”
“The Commission has put substantial proposals on the table on everything from energy to youth mobility. We should deepen cooperation in further key sectors: energy interconnectivity and offshore renewables in the North Sea, financial services through regulatory equivalence, and a pragmatic sustainable fisheries arrangement for the time after 2026. As for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the TCA is due for review next year. Long‑term stability in our relations is more important than ever. Commissioner Šefčovič, we look forward to discussing the outcome of this summit with you in the Foreign Affairs Committee. 1-0093-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, as previous speakers have already mentioned, the upcoming EU‑UK summit marks a pivotal moment to recalibrate our partnership. Ever since the Windsor Framework, agreed in March 2023, we have seen greater political stability in our relations. The much anticipated EU Security and Defence Pact could be a real milestone. Enhanced cooperation in military mobility, joint research and development, and cyber resilience – this is all urgently needed. The EU and the UK should rise to the occasion and ensure an agreement that also fosters deeper cooperation on intelligence sharing, sanctions coordination as well as foreign information manipulation and interference. Yet, a mature partnership should go beyond security and defence.”
“Therefore, dear Commissioner Kubilius, the white paper must build on these achievements, and propose regulatory and programmatic initiatives at European level, rather than confining itself to a description of threats and shared needs. You, dear Commissioner, and the HR/VP have a chance to significantly steer this debate. I look forward to discussing the white paper thoroughly at committee level. 2-0373-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I can echo a lot of things that have been said already in this debate, but not a single word of my previous speaker. After numerous wake-up calls we have discussed here, Europe's moment of truth has finally arrived. We're not starting from scratch. In March 2022, the 27 heads of state or government adopted the Strategic Compass. A year later, the Commission published the European Defence Industrial Strategy, and we also adopted ASAP and EDIRPA and agreed on the capability development priorities. All these initiatives are slowly but surely pushing Member States to step outside their national corridors in pursuit of a genuine European Defence Union. But now we really have to make a great leap.”
“In 2023, the United States contributed nearly USD 310 million to mine action, making up 39 % of global support. Without American funding, life‑saving demining operations are grinding to a halt. In return, the delivery of humanitarian aid is obstructed, economic development hindered and post-conflict reconstruction delayed. While the European Union cannot fill the gap left by the US alone, let us take a leading role. Every EU Member State is a party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. We have already pledged millions of euros for mine clearance, but we need to ensure this commitment is reflected also in the next multiannual financial framework. 3-0382-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the American retreat from international institutions and agreements was in many ways a move to be expected from President Trump. These reckless decisions have far‑reaching risks and repercussions. Specifically, I want to shine a spotlight on just one of the most devastating impacts, which hasn't been mentioned yet this evening: the suspension of US humanitarian aid and its dire consequences for global demining efforts. At this very moment, 58 countries are contaminated by landmines, 28 are grappling with the traces of cluster munitions. These devices cripple and kill, particularly in active conflict zones like Ukraine. Just yesterday, we heard the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada outline the dire needs of his country.”
“The European Union needs to act as a multiplier of these efforts. On the one hand, we will financially and politically support the democratic forces. On the other hand, we will put Lukashenka and his henchmen under even stricter sanctions by mirroring those adopted against Russia. 2-0436-0000”
“Mr President, dear Commissioner Kubilius, ladies and gentlemen, as a number of speakers previously have already pointed out, it is actually for the seventh time that Belarus is staging the ritual of electing Mr Lukashenka as President, in a climate of fear and repression against free media, civil society and genuine opposition. Over 1 300 political prisoners – including nearly all of Lukashenka's former rivals – remain imprisoned for challenging the fraudulent 2020 elections. Opposition has been eradicated and Belarusians abroad have been robbed of their voting rights. And still, hope is not lost. Belarusian democratic forces, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, continue their tireless fight for freedom. I recall her words in this House: 'the EU, from Lisbon to Minsk, is a nightmare for Putin, but for us it's a reality we strive to live in'.”
“Deshalb sollten die EU‑Minister schnell prüfen, welche Maßnahmen das internationale Seerecht erlaubt, um gegen die Schattenflotte vorzugehen und Russland für seine Aggressionen in der Ukraine verantwortlich zu machen. 2-0342-0000”
“Herr Präsident, sehr verehrte Frau Vizepräsidentin, meine sehr verehrten Damen und Herren! Mit dem Ostseegipfel der NATO Anfang letzter Woche in Helsinki ist das Thema der russischen Schattenflotte auf höchster politischer Ebene angekommen, und das war auch überfällig. Denn mit einer wirklich schrecklichen Schwemme maroder Öltanker, deren Eigentumsverhältnisse unklar und deren Risiken im Übrigen auch unterversichert sind, umgeht Russland gezielt internationale Sanktionen. Jeden Monat werden damit laut einer aktuellen Mitteilung der Deutschen Presseagentur 12 Milliarden Euro in die russische Kriegskasse hineingepumpt. Die Schattenflotte ist zu einer der wichtigsten finanziellen Lebensadern für Russland in seinem völkerrechtswidrigen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine geworden.”
“And finally, we need to deliver on key goals. If there is any time for us as the European Union to act swiftly, it is now. And unity is key. Remaining transatlantic and becoming more European will be the way forward. 2-0212-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, as we have heard today during this debate, the United States is and remains our most important NATO ally and our biggest trading partner. This means, if we want or not, we need to proactively explore common interests with the new Trump administration, even when our priorities don't always align. And indeed, we witnessed yesterday that our positions differ on important issues, sadly. We need to prepare responses. The European Union should anticipate US foreign policy shifts and their potential challenges, preparing our responses more in advance. We need to rally partners. We are not alone here in Europe in our concerns about the next four years. We must rally our like‑minded partners to minimise disruptions and adopt a coordinated approach.”