Assita Kanko
Member of the European Parliament · ECR · BE
“Madam President, in all what you said, presidency, I haven't heard much about antisemitism, yet a big issue in Europe. As you know, we still need to protect Jewish schools and institutions in many European cities, and that is a fact. You speak of the importance of our European way of life and I totally welcome that.”
“Voorzitter, nog geen twee weken geleden legde de Commissie een plan op tafel om de Europese afhankelijkheid van buitenlandse technologieleveranciers te verminderen.”
“Therefore, those who can invest are Americans – not only because they have a market, but also because they believe in the future, whereas we have a fixed mindset about technology, our AI Office is understaffed, underpowered and already lagging behind the technology it's supposed to face.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, Madam Commissioner, the Mythos affair showed what we already knew: that sadly, the EU lives in the stone age of AI. Very embarrassing. Our mindset is that of bureaucracy and of isolationism that we confuse with sovereignty. We fail to invest in energy innovation. We struggle to reduce bureaucracy.”
“Madam President, colleagues, this Monday, a man was attacked by three other men in the Brussels metro and his Star of David was ripped off. They did not steal anything from him; they wanted to take his dignity and his right to exist away.”
“Not antisemitism, but the contrary of it has been seen as shameful. Dear colleagues, there is only one correct reaction to the brutal attempt to silence Jewish voices and destroy Jewish existence.”
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“For six years, we have been talking but never delivered regarding the regulation. Some of the children abused today were even not born. Today, I will vote for the urgent procedure, but we need you to deliver ... (The President cut off the speaker) 2-0119-0000”
“Madam President, in all what you said, presidency, I haven't heard much about antisemitism, yet a big issue in Europe. As you know, we still need to protect Jewish schools and institutions in many European cities, and that is a fact. You speak of the importance of our European way of life and I totally welcome that. I must say what it means today, though. You need to give faith to European people again, faith in justice, faith in equality, faith in what the soul of Europe is. To me, it means that values are not à la carte. It means we all have access to the same justice, that no woman is subject to marital captivity or reduced to parallel justice systems. We need a Europe that says no to radical Islam and designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terror organisation. We need a Europe that protects its children against sexual abuse online.”
“Dat verzekeren we nu door het verbod op nudify-apps, die het mogelijk maken om bijzonder realistisch naaktbeelden te genereren. Dat is verwoestend voor de slachtoffers. Ik ben trots dat we dit gedaan hebben. 1-0152-0000”
“Voorzitter, nog geen twee weken geleden legde de Commissie een plan op tafel om de Europese afhankelijkheid van buitenlandse technologieleveranciers te verminderen. En zie, afgelopen weekend maakte de Amerikaanse regering bekend dat de toegang tot de meest geavanceerde Anthropic-modellen voor buitenlandse staatsburgers zal worden opgeschort. Veel duidelijker kan een waarschuwing niet worden. Als we te afhankelijk worden van buitenlandse technologie, onder andere Amerikaanse, zullen we daar op termijn maatschappelijk en economisch de gevolgen van ondervinden. Meer technologische soevereiniteit is anno 2026 geen luxe meer. Het is een absolute must en een goed uitgebalanceerde AI‑omnibus kan daar absoluut toe bijdragen, ook voor onze veiligheid.”
“Therefore, those who can invest are Americans – not only because they have a market, but also because they believe in the future, whereas we have a fixed mindset about technology, our AI Office is understaffed, underpowered and already lagging behind the technology it's supposed to face. Meanwhile, the Commission is busy drafting safeguards for the future, as if AI is a sci-fi promise instead of the tool already patching our security breaches today. That's not leadership. That's like building a smoke detector in a burning house. Yes, AI is a double-edged sword. Let's cut bureaucracy so that we can use the right edge. 2-0075-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, Madam Commissioner, the Mythos affair showed what we already knew: that sadly, the EU lives in the stone age of AI. Very embarrassing. Our mindset is that of bureaucracy and of isolationism that we confuse with sovereignty. We fail to invest in energy innovation. We struggle to reduce bureaucracy. There is no vision. We act as if advanced AI is the enemy, but it is not – criminals are; EU paralysis is. As Mistral founder Arthur Mensch said recently, Europe does not have many strengths, heavy regulation is a burden and the market takes shape too slowly.”
“Not antisemitism, but the contrary of it has been seen as shameful. Dear colleagues, there is only one correct reaction to the brutal attempt to silence Jewish voices and destroy Jewish existence. That is to be honest and to have courage – the courage to defend the Jews' right to exist, the courage to protect our civilisation from falling. 3-0356-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, this Monday, a man was attacked by three other men in the Brussels metro and his Star of David was ripped off. They did not steal anything from him; they wanted to take his dignity and his right to exist away. Let's be honest, we all know deep down why in Europe we need to protect Jewish schools, neighbourhoods and institutions. Some of us have the courage to say it out loud; others do not only remain silent, they also try to deny the reality of antisemitism. And today, as we speak here, two Jewish men have been stabbed in London by terrorists who subsequently tried to attack the police. We all know why these men were stabbed – because they exist. It is the same exact reason why schools have to be watched, museums protected, synagogues sometimes hidden.”
“In my view, this does not take sufficient account of the specific expertise and often deep‑rooted historical, economic and diplomatic ties that many Member States have with certain partner countries. We cannot reduce those Member States to mere implementers. They are core architects. The Global Gateway is a unique opportunity. Let us therefore seize it with both hands and with due consideration to innovate. 2-0063-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, I think it's pointless to waste time listing all the arguments that underscore the necessity of the Global Gateway initiative. Recent geopolitical developments are perhaps the strongest argument of all. If we in Europe wish to put ourselves back on the world map, strategically well‑considered investments in infrastructure, technology and energy are the best means to that end. We must also dare to align our investments much more closely with our objectives in the field of migration management, for example, with women's rights and with the strategic and economic interests of the Member States. Today, I note with great disappointment that the Global Gateway is still too heavily steered from Brussels and is still too often based on a centralist, old‑fashioned logic.”
“Laten we van deze gelegenheid gebruikmaken om concrete toezeggingen, meetbare doelstellingen en echte verantwoording te eisen. Als we willen dat meisjes veilig en gelijk opgroeien, dan mag gerechtigheid geen voorrecht zijn. Het moet hun recht zijn. 4-0021-0000”
“Voorzitter, toegang tot gerechtigheid voor vrouwen en meisjes is geen mooie slogan, maar een test of onze waarden werkelijk iets betekenen. Nog altijd worden te veel vrouwen geconfronteerd met wetten die hen niet beschermen en systemen die hen niet geloven. Dat moet veranderen. In maart moeten we samen naar New York vertrekken met drie duidelijke boodschappen: nultolerantie voor geweld tegen vrouwen, van huiselijk geweld tot vrouwelijke genitale verminking, verkrachting en mensenhandel. Toegang tot gerechtigheid moet echt zijn. Discriminerende wetten moeten verdwijnen, of het nu gaat om familierecht, erfrecht of deelname aan het openbare leven. Zolang de wet vrouwen als tweederangsburgers behandelt, kan gerechtigheid nooit werkelijk gelijk zijn. Velen onder ons weten helaas wat het betekent wanneer de wet je niet beschermt.”
“Ik vraag de Europese Commissie daarom om de impact van deze Spaanse waanzin op Schengen, op mensenrechten, op secundaire bewegingen en op het terugkeerbeleid grondig te analyseren. Ik roep de lidstaten op om duidelijke afspraken te maken, zodat eenzijdige regularisaties niet stilzwijgend bindend worden voor iedereen. 2-0467-0000”
“Voorzitter, in een ruimte zonder binnengrenzen heeft een massale regularisatie van naar schatting een half miljoen mensen nooit alleen nationale gevolgen. Als iemand morgen in Spanje een verblijfskaart krijgt, kan die persoon zich overmorgen vrij binnen Schengen verplaatsen. Dat raakt ook elke lidstaat en we weten niet wie die mensen zijn. Als volksvertegenwoordiger vind ik dat dit geen detail is, maar een test voor het vertrouwen binnen Schengen. We hebben net een nieuw migratie- en asielpakket goedgekeurd met strengere buitengrenscontroles en snellere procedures. Als sommige regeringen tegelijk grote amnestieronden lanceren zonder overleg, ondermijnen ze dat werk en groeit het wantrouwen bij onze burgers, evenals de macht van de mensensmokkelaars. Deze Spaanse maatregel lijkt humaan, maar is het niet.”
“Yet, less than a year ago, the EU pledged EUR 2.5 billion in financial support to the new Syrian regime for 2025 and 2026. A resurgent network of al-Qaeda and ISIS remnants on Europe's doorsteps threatens us all. So, dear colleagues, why are we paying for it? If we abandon the Kurds now, we abandon not only them, but also Europe. 2-0301-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, Commissioner, once again, the Kurds in Syria are being sacrificed on the altar of cynical geopolitics. Their communities that heroically defeated ISIS are being displaced, shelled and coerced into perilous negotiations in Damascus by a regime backed by extremist militia, freed ISIS fighters and groups supported by our own NATO ally, Türkiye. These are the same Kurds who, with our allies, dismantled the caliphate only to face betrayal from those who now called a regime built on extremism and terror. Remember, al-Jolani is the man who once rejoiced over the 9/11 attacks, who has overseen atrocities against Alawites, Druze and now Kurds, and who has released thousands of ISIS prisoners to bolster his ranks, all while shaking hands in the West and promising peace he never delivers.”
“As an MEP, as a democratically elected Member of this Parliament, it must be said clearly: blackmail and threats of isolation like last week are not path to a stronger Europe. No Member State should ever be treated as a vessel. Prime Minister Bart De Wever has shown courage by standing with Ukraine and by standing at the same time for Belgian citizens, and he is right to insist that European solidarity cannot mean reckless exposure for one Member State. I fully support him. 3-0038-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, the only Russian assets existing in Belgium are sitting in Euroclear, not in the office of the Prime Minister. Belgium has been and remains a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. I deeply regret that last week, Belgium was singled out for raising legitimate legal and financial concerns about the EU plan to use frozen Russian Central Bank assets parked at Euroclear to support Ukraine. Why legitimate questions? Because there is no such thing as free money. There is always a risk, and nobody thought about who will pay. Belgium was asked to carry all the weight alone, to bear, as one Member State and its taxpayers, a disproportionate share of the legal and financial risk. How is that fair and realistic?”
“Today, we stop being spectators of tragedy and we can actually act to protect the victims. Today, we can control who enters, protect those who need protection and prosecute those who should be prosecuted. Yet, one thing waved on me: it's nothing short of shameful that the very men and women who are asked to do this dangerous work – our police people – so often feel abandoned by politics that they serve. We must adopt this regulation and ECR will vote for it. But we must also remember that laws do not arrest criminals – police officers do. They need our unwavering focus, our pragmatism and, above all, our respect. Because, in the end, it's their courage, not our paragraphs, that will keep Europe safe. But this is an excellent start. 1-0144-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, so many women have been sexually abused and abandoned in the hands of criminals for too long. This regulation is not just another file. It is a weapon to smash the criminal empires that traffic in human lives and destroy women. It forges unbreakable cooperation between Member States, Europol and now national police forces, so that together we can hunt down and destroy these networks who have grown rich on other people's despair. Europe has been blind for too long. The EES finally gave Europe eyes. Today, with this regulation, we are giving Europe arms. For the first time, police forces in every Member State will have the clear legal basis and the digital tools they need to rip apart these ruthless networks. Thank you very much for your work and for the good cooperation.”
“This conflict has forced 13 million people to flee their homes, and two thirds of the Sudanese population, including 16 million children, are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. The healthcare system has largely collapsed and there is a threat of widespread famine. I have therefore taken the initiative, with the support of my political group, to request a debate, and it's good that this will be becoming a reality in the next session. Dear colleagues, Sudan needs us. 1-0042-0000”
“Madam President, on 28 October, the Rapid Support Forces attacked a women's hospital in Sudan. The el‑Fasher maternity clinic was the only partially functioning healthcare facility in the region. That last hope was wiped out. It became a slaughterhouse. At least 460 patients and their companions, including pregnant women, newborns and family members, died in the RSF's attacks. Doctors, a nurse and a pharmacist were abducted, leaving no one to help. This massacre is not an isolated incident. Nearly 2 000 civilians have been killed around el‑Fasher. Reports say the streets are littered with corpses. This is degrading to human dignity and poses a huge risk to public health, which was already very fragile.”
“As a Member of Parliament, I therefore call on the French authorities, the European Parliament and fellow MEPs to demand a thorough review of the rule of law in France. It is our responsibility to make justice serve the people, not settle scores. 1-0036-0000”
“Madam President, as a staunch defender of democratic principles and the rule of law, I am profoundly appalled by the incarceration of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. This decision strikes at the heart of our shared European values, transforming a man who boldly led France through economic turmoil and global crisis into a symbol of judicial overreach. Sarkozy's conviction, rooted in allegations long-contested and in procedural ambiguities, reeks of selective prosecution, a dangerous precedent that undermines the presumption of innocence and erodes public trust in institutions. Of course, no one is above the law – not even a former president – but no one deserves to be denied their fundamental legal rights either. As Members of Parliament, it is our duty to question a system in which the rule of law appears to be eroding.”
“Because, dear colleagues, we want you to feel always welcome and safe in Brussels, because Brussels must serve the citizens and the institutions and not the other way around. 1-0046-0000”
“Madam President, Brussels – the capital of Europe – has been without a government for over a year now. In the meantime, gunfire echoes through the streets, the drug trade is thriving openly and the debt is piling up into a financial disaster. And yet they dare to send a pitiful letter to the EU: 'give us money', they say. Isn't that embarrassing and outrageous? You don't solve problems with begging letters, but with courage and leadership. Brussels deserves leaders with backbones, not egos; real politicians who stop pointing fingers and start taking action. It is time to set arrogance aside and take back the future of the city that hosts the European institutions. That is why we must support the idea of the Belgian federal government taking over.”
“De beweging wordt deels gefinancierd vanuit Qatar, Saudi-Arabië en ook via ons eigen belastinggeld. Op Europees niveau moet ook zo'n onderzoek plaatsvinden. We moeten wakker worden. 1-0031-0000”
“Voorzitter, een Frans rapport, opgesteld op verzoek van minister Retailleau, onthult een diepgewortelde, goed georganiseerde beweging: de Moslimbroeders. Ze willen de sharia als wet invoeren. Ze gebruiken organisaties om onze scholen te infiltreren en onze kinderen te indoctrineren. Ze verspreiden radicale ideeën. Vrouwen worden daarbij systematisch als minderwaardig beschouwd: ze worden verdrongen en verstopt onder hoofddoeken die hun kracht en vrijheid afnemen. De beweging gebruikt een dubbel discours, legalisme en slachtofferschap als tactiek. Even de feiten op een rijtje: verbonden aan deze beweging zijn maar liefst 207 moskeeën en gebedsplaatsen met bijna honderdduizend gelovigen, 280 organisaties en 21 scholen met 4 200 leerlingen. Noem maar op. Deze beweging infiltreert doelbewust onze samenleving.”
“We need to remember that still the end of the Cold War was not the end of history, that we cannot earn respect if we do not change our mindset. We need to invest in our defence and values, and stand firm for our principles – not only when it's comfortable, but also when it is not. Because to the question of whether our citizens can count on us, the answer must be 'yes'! 2-0057-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, for energy we used to look at Russia; for trade we depend on China; for defence we rely on the United States. When we fail, we blame someone else. The truth is that we are weak because we neglected our potential power. Because by not investing enough, or soon enough, in defence and industry, we gave up the right to be respected. We abandoned our primary duty, which is to provide security and pride to our citizens. They wonder when we will take responsibility. Right now, we are only excited because Trump woke us up. Basically, he just showed us that there is no such thing as a free lunch. And we are upset? The fact that we needed this wake-up call about defence is so disturbing for our citizens. We need to remember that Europe was stronger, and can be strong again.”
“Het is uit wanhoop dat zovelen onder onze burgers voor extremisten stemmen. Maar oplossingen hebben zij niet, alleen geroep. Het antwoord op de problemen ligt duidelijk bij centrumrechts. Dit parlement moet daarmee aan de slag. 3-0184-0000”
“Voorzitter, dit debat slaat nergens op. Wat onze welvaart vernietigt, is het pamperbeleid van links. We weten allemaal heel goed dat dit pamperbeleid de levensverzekering van de linkse partijen is, met een nieuwkomer als eeuwig slachtoffer dat nooit zelf verantwoordelijk is, maar altijd hulp nodig heeft. Dit is niet alleen racistisch en paternalistisch, maar ook duidelijk een groot verlies aan inkomsten voor de hele samenleving. Want het potentieel van de nieuwkomer blijft altijd onontgonnen. Links ziet ze liever zo lang mogelijk met een uitkering, niet met een baan. Wat migratiebeleid betreft, wil links liever verder met de huidige chaos. Elke poging tot oplossing wordt gezien als racisme of fascisme. Maar zo vernietig je Schengen en de interne markt. Zo bevorder je armoede, geen concurrentievermogen.”
“Migration policy, especially return, is a key priority, and I appreciate the fact that the proposal is coming, I am worried about the fact that the Left could block it again. Security threats, especially terrorism, is far from being defeated and we keep giving money to the wrong people and organisations. We don't care about the lack of respect for our principles. I call on the Commission to work with the forces in this House who really want to defend our security competitiveness in the future – if you do this, we will be respected and trusted. 3-0070-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, last time it was going to be a 'Geopolitical Commission'. Regarding the results, obviously none of our enemies or allies is impressed. This time it's about the simplification of regulation and economic competitiveness. Yet our businesses are not hopeful, and we have spent time recently chasing American tech companies instead of growing our own. We are so excellent at making big plans, but not efficient at achieving concrete results. Families do not eat plans for dinner and security on paper will not protect our women in the streets against rape, citizens against crime, or our ports against drug-related violence. Internal plans on paper will not fix issues like the return policy, a key area that has been neglected.”