Reinhold Lopatka
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · AT
“Madam President, I understand the anger of my colleagues, and the recent brutal killing of 28 Christians, including Pastor Markus Nyam, in Kawel village, is another reminder that religious persecution remains a tragic reality in Nigeria. We have to keep in mind that this was not an isolated incident.”
“Mr President, my dear colleagues, reconstruction is an important step towards providing the people of Gaza with the prospect of returning to a semblance of normal life. Hopefully, it is soon possible.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, as Commissioner Šuica mentioned, the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in El‑Obeid is yet another tragic reminder that the people of Sudan continue to pay the highest price for a conflict they did not choose.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, Russia's brutal war of aggression has shown that there are no grey zones on our continent, no place for grey zones. We must therefore continue supporting all enlargement countries who are demonstrating willingness to progress on the path of EU integration.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, for Europe to thrive in a multi-polar world, economic and political agreements are essential, especially with reliable and like-minded countries like Mexico. This is why the modernised strategic partnership agreement is so important.”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, in Nicaragua, the political imprisonment of human rights defenders is not an isolated incident. Their detention is part of a broader campaign to dismantle democracy and suppress dissent.”
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“This decision also demonstrates the growing erosion and repression of the already reduced civil space and rule of law in the country, amid growing restrictive restrictions and attacks against critics and dissenting voices, including civil society organisations, human rights defenders and media professionals. This decision shows once again that our bilateral relations with Mali remain complicated. How we manage them is crucial, crucial for the Malian population and crucial for the EU. Honourable Members, as you know, HR/VP Kallas has been asked to work on a renewed approach for the Sahel, which includes Mali. Issues of governance and human rights will continue to be discussed with the Malian authorities through political dialogue.”
“So what I want to say is, even it's very difficult, we have to work very hard to bring Mali back on a democratic path in the interest of the people of Mali. 3-0487-0000 Ekaterina Zaharieva, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, just one month ago in Mali, the military regime decided to dissolve all political parties and organisations. This decision, which stems from a long process of political, institutional and security degradation, marks a new stage in its authoritarian consolidation since the second coup in May 2021, while sending extremely negative signals about Mali's commitment to human rights. Like in Nigeria and in Burkina Faso, the departure from the expected return to constitutional order, which was promised to the Malian population, is extremely regrettable.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, Europe has played an active role in supporting all the Sahel countries and mobilised more than EUR 600 million for Mali alone since 2014. This has included support for development, humanitarian aid and efforts to stabilise the region and fight and combat terrorism. But we see in Mali, if we fail in our engagement, there is dissolution of political life, the erosion of freedoms are spreading and immediately Russia is active on the ground whenever they see an opportunity. Just three weeks ago, we were on a mission in Mauritania, five kilometres away from Mali, and there we were in the Mbera camp. There are more than 120 000 refugees from Mali. This is another result, if we fail. Thousands of refugees are leaving their homeland.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, with 181 member parliaments out of 193 countries in the world, expresses each year more and more concern over the growing number of human rights violations against parliamentarians. The number of cases brought before the IPU has more than tripled within one decade, from 311 in 2014 to 956 in 2024. The assassination attempt against Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe is one of these grave attacks on democracy, the rule of law and the fundamental rights of political participation and free expression. Therefore, we have to be in solidarity with Senator Uribe, and the EU must defend human rights and stand clearly against all forms of political intimidation. 2-0605-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, we must always have in our mind that the big danger in the Middle East stems unmistakably from the mullah regime of Iran and its proxies, Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. It is not Israel which is the aggressor. These groups – enriched, equipped and directed by the mullah regime – present a unified front of existential threat to Israel and of destabilisation of the whole region. Israel is under immense pressure. Its pre-emptive strikes aim to disrupt the nuclear ambitions of Iran and degrade its operational capacity. This is an act of self-defence. We should respect it and Europe should support Israel. 2-0542-0000”
“It is appropriate to show Türkiye our disappointment in a clear way. If there is no progress at all I think it will be better to stop the negotiations with Türkiye. 2-0502-0000”
“Mr President, colleagues, this report is both timely and necessary. Yes, Türkiye remains an important partner for the European Union politically, economically and strategically, but a strong partnership, however, must be based on shared values, on a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. Let me underline clearly that respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU Member States, especially the Republic of Cyprus, is non-negotiable. Moreover, persistent shortcomings regarding fundamental rights, democratic backsliding, and compliance with the European Court of Human Rights are deeply concerning. Therefore I think that the report's conclusions that accession negotiations should remain suspended until Türkiye demonstrates clear and substantial progress is moving in the right direction.”
“In 2015, I initiated that the Austrian Parliament adopted a resolution recognising and condemning the Armenian Genocide. The path to reconciliation is neither simple nor swift. It requires courage, transparency and the willingness to confront painful truths. We must call upon to Türkiye to engage earnestly in this process by recognising the crimes committed against the Armenians and other Christians through the Ottoman Empire. We have to do everything to ensure that this never happens again. 4-0089-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, the Armenian Genocide resulted in the murder of over 1 million Armenians and as well countless Assyrians, Chaldeans and Pontic Greeks. We remember the victims of violence, murder and expulsion and honour their memory by reaffirming our commitment to truth, justice and reconciliation. The recognition of historical truths is not merely an academic exercise. It is a moral imperative for all of us. By acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide, we take a crucial step toward preventing future crimes against humanity. As history has shown, denial and silence only serve to perpetuate cycles of violence and injustice. It is our duty to ensure that the mistakes of the past are neither forgotten nor repeated.”
“Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wie wir mit Minderheiten umgehen, zeigt, ob wir es tatsächlich schaffen, die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte für alle durchzusetzen. Die größte Gruppe hier europaweit sind die Roma und Sinti. Mehr als 10 Millionen Menschen von Spanien bis nach Rumänien, auch bei uns in Österreich als Volksgruppe anerkannt. Das ist das eine, das Positive. Das Negative: Roma sind natürlich – und es ist leider so – tagtäglich von Benachteiligungen betroffen, ob am Arbeitsmarkt oder im Wohnungssektor. Europa ist ein Kontinent der Vielfalt. Unsere Aufgabe ist es daher, nicht nur diese Vielfalt zu tolerieren, sondern aktiv zu schützen und zu fördern. Eine Gesellschaft ist nur dann gerecht, wenn sie allen Bürgerinnen und Bürgern dieselben Chancen bietet. Dafür haben wir gemeinsam zu arbeiten. 3-0439-0000”
“Are you aware that Hungarian inflation is actually almost three times as high as the eurozone, which stands at 2.2 %? 3-0322-0000 Reinhold Lopatka (PPE), Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Das, was das Ärgste für mich ist, ist, dass Orbán Ungarn eine Zukunft in der Europäischen Union stiehlt, dass er Ungarn immer mehr in die Isolation treibt. Das ist der größte Diebstahl an der Zukunft von Ungarn. 3-0323-0000”
“As the EU Member States have to be on the right side, also Hungary must uphold its commitments under EU law. The rule of law conditionality mechanism must be enforced. EU funds cannot support governments that undermine democracy. If Orbán ‑ and its Orbán ‑ continues on this path, there must be consequences. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 3-0321-0000 Daniel Freund (Verts/ALE), blue-card question. – Mr Lopatka, you just said that Orbán probably shares the corruption and stealing with Marine Le Pen. Are you aware that, if you look into how much Orbán has stolen, he actually manages to steal almost every day the amount – the EUR 4.6 million – that it took, I think, Marine Le Pen 12 years to amass? So the problem is slightly larger. I have another question. The Fidesz people have spoken about inflation.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, 'Je suis Marine', said Prime Minister Orbán two days ago. What did he mean? The misuse of EUR 2.9 million. Is this what he shares with Marine Le Pen? But it's not this statement on X that is concerning. The recent legislative changes in Hungary should be a wake up call for all democrats in Europe. They undermine fundamental rights, weaken democratic institutions and erode the rule of law, all of which are core values of the European Union. And as Members of this Parliament, I think it's our duty to speak out and act when these principles are at risk. Austria has always had in its history a special relationship with Hungary, the Hungarian colleagues know it, and we always supported constructive dialogue. But media restrictions, judicial interference and the erosion of civil society are unacceptable.”
“Madam President, the targeted attacks against Christians in Congo are horrific acts of violence which demand our immediate attention and decisive actions. What do we have to do? We must intensify, of course, diplomatic efforts with DCR authorities to ensure the protection of all religious communities. We must establish a comprehensive monitoring and reporting mechanism, and we have to hold perpetrators accountable. We must provide stronger support to civil society organisations that are working tirelessly to promote interfaith dialogue. And we must collaborate with international partners, including the United Nations and regional organisations, to enhance our collective capacity to address religious persecution effectively. 2-0571-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, as many colleagues mentioned already, the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is not just an attack on an individual, it is an attack on democracy. Detaining a leading opposition figure, along with 100 others on politically motivated charges, is an attempt to eliminate political competition ahead of a crucial election. This repression extends beyond politics. Independent media is being silenced. International journalists are being expelled, and peaceful protesters are met with brutal crackdowns. Still, an EU candidate country and a member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye must uphold democratic principles and the rule of law, and the EU must respond with more than words. We must apply diplomatic and economic pressure to demand accountability. 2-0494-0000”
“Madam President, the EU is not only an economic and political union. Two of our cornerstones are human rights and democracy. Looking around the world, we see increasing threats to these principles. Authoritarian regimes are suppressing civil society, independent media and political opposition. But the misuse of EUR 2.9 million, as it was done by Le Pen and her party members, that has nothing to do with political oppression. It is justice if someone is doing criminal acts that he is sentenced or she is sentenced, in this case. The space for human rights defenders is shrinking worldwide. Therefore, we must remain a force that protects human rights in its Member States and we have to fight around the globe as our High Representative Kaja Kallas mentioned it. 2-0237-0000”
“Da ist es umso wichtiger, dass die Europäische Union bei dieser Ratssitzung klar gezeigt hat, dass bei wesentlichen Punkten hier diese Stärke in der EU nach wie vor gegeben ist, wenn es darum geht, uns wirtschaftlich stark aufzustellen; dass dieser Plan im Juni hier vorgelegt wird, wo der Binnenmarkt gestärkt wird, wo es zu einer vertieften finanziellen Integration kommt und auch eine Investitionsunion auf die Reihe gebracht wird. Dann ist es umso wichtiger, wenn morgen ein schwarzer Mittwoch hier kommen wird – wenn Präsident Trump diese Zolllawine lostreten wird. Da braucht es eine starke Europäische Union, die gemeinsam entsprechende Gegenmaßnahmen setzt und die sich an den Werten und am Rechtssystem in Europa orientiert. Das unterscheidet uns von anderen Fraktionen, die hier im Haus sind. 2-0054-0000”
“Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wenn gerade vor mir ein Redner so frontal die französische Justiz angegriffen hat, dann zeigt das, wie wichtig es ist, dass wir zu den europäischen Werten stehen, dass wir unser Rechtssystem verteidigen, und das geht nur, wenn die Europäische Union stark und geschlossen bleibt. Denn wenn in der Tonlage vom Putin-Sprecher Peskow nach dem Missbrauch von 2,9 Millionen Euro hier so getan wird, als ob nichts geschehen wäre, und die Justiz schuldig gesprochen wird und nicht die Schuldige hier zur Verantwortung gezogen wird, dann zeigt das: Manchmal ist es bei Kollegen und Kolleginnen hier schon fünf nach zwölf.”
“Bosnien und Herzegowina braucht keine Spaltung, sondern einheitliches Vorgehen. Hier ist auch die EU‑Kommission gefordert: Sie muss klar und unmissverständlich Maßnahmen setzen gegen jene, die ständig gegen dieses Vorgehen verstoßen. 3-0573-0000”
“Herr Präsident, liebe Kollegen! 30 Jahre nach dem Ende des Bosnienkriegs mit 100 000 Opfern steht Bosnien und Herzegowina erneut an einem entscheidenden Punkt seiner Geschichte. In einer Zeit, in der das Land Stabilität und gelebte Rechtsstaatlichkeit bräuchte, um Richtung EU zu gehen, wird es von gefährlichen separatistischen Tendenzen zurückgehalten. Einerseits unternimmt der Hohe Repräsentant Christian Schmidt alles, um seiner Aufgabe bei der Unterstützung der regelbasierten Ordnung nachzukommen; seine Arbeit ist von wesentlicher Bedeutung, um das Dayton-Abkommen umzusetzen. Andererseits untergräbt Milorad Dodik systematisch die staatlichen Institutionen, verweigert die Umsetzung von Entscheidungen des Verfassungsgerichts und droht immer wieder mit der Abspaltung der Republika Srpska.”
“Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, we have to monitor developments in Syria very closely. We see, on the one hand, progress; on the other hand, of course, also setbacks. It is vital for the country to continue developing national unity. It's good to see that the government finalised an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, and they have to use the chance to integrate them into the national army and into the governing structure. While these developments are promising, challenges, of course, persist. The recent violence in Latakia, where more than 1 500 people lost their lives, highlights the fragile security situation. And this needs our engagement. No Syrian should live in fear anymore. Therefore, it is positive that we discuss Syria and that we work for a good future for the Syrian people. They deserve it.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, like many speakers before, I want to underline that Moldova has made significant progress, particularly in areas of governance, the rule of law and anti-corruption. Under the leadership of President Sandu, the country has demonstrated strong political will and commitment to reforms. However, Moldova still faces substantial external challenges. The ongoing threats from Russia, including the instability in the region of Transnistria, continue to jeopardise Moldova's sovereignty and European aspirations. Despite these pressures, Moldova has remained determined, pushing forward with its reforms and advancing EU standards with unwavering resolve. And the growth facility is not just a financial tool, it is a clear message of our united support for Moldova. 1-0178-0000”
“Serbian leaders have to engage in an open dialogue with this protest movement. The path forward must be paved with transparency and steadfast commitment. This is a condition for Serbia's EU integration to continue in a positive way. Italy's Minister Tajani mentioned yesterday he sees Serbia in the European Union in 2029. I am not that optimistic, but I hope he is right. So Serbia has to continue with its reform agenda, which is absolutely necessary for a future in the European Union. 2-0419-0000”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, we stand at a pivotal moment for Serbia, a cornerstone country for the Western Balkans, with significant impact to the security and stability of the region, and of whole Europe. The tragic collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy, which claimed 15 lives, ignited a wave of protests which have become now a big movement initially started by students but now, step by step, with supporters from many sectors of the society. The protesters believe the incident was a consequence of systemic corruption, and their demands are for accountability and transparency. I think they need support. And in response to these demonstrations, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević has resigned, stating his intent to defuse tensions. So what is necessary now?”
“Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the EU must act in adopting a comprehensive strategy for the Middle East very fast, particularly in the light of the developments in Syria and Israel. We have a responsibility to lead on fostering cooperation and diplomacy in the region, not least because it has a strong impact on our own security, stability and prosperity. Our relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council – with which we have increased trade by over 35 % only in one decade – highlights this potential. We need a free trade agreement with the GCC, but we also have to address the negative role of Iran and its proxies, destabilising the region. And our support for a two‑state solution for Israel and Palestine has to play a key role in this strategy, like the support for Israel in their fight against Hamas terrorists.”
“– Eine kurze Antwort meinerseits: Putin kann in der Minute den Krieg beenden, sofort. Er hat es in seiner Hand. Das Zweite: Die Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs hat bis heute einen Freundschaftsvertrag mit der Jedinaja Rossija, der Partei Putins. Er ist nicht aufgelöst worden. Das ist Ihr Problem: Sie stehen auf der falschen Seite! Wir bleiben weiter auf der Seite der Ukraine. 2-0136-0000”
“(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 2-0134-0000 Alexander Jungbluth (ESN), Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Sehr geehrter Herr Kollege, Sie haben gerade gesagt, dass wir das zu verantworten hätten, dass wir, sagen wir mal, für Russland sein sollten. Aber das ist absoluter Schwachsinn, sondern wir setzen uns für Friedensbestrebungen ein. Wir setzen uns ähnlich wie Präsident Trump dafür ein, dass wir endlich Friedensbedingungen haben, damit russische und ukrainische Soldaten nicht mehr sterben müssen. Und sagen Sie mir mal: Was ist denn Ihre Idee für eine Friedensbestrebung? Dass wir nicht immer nur davon sprechen, dass militärische Siege hergestellt werden müssen, wo noch mehr Soldaten sterben. 2-0135-0000 Reinhold Lopatka (PPE), Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“.”
“Mr President, colleague Steger, you should be ashamed of your speech. Three years have passed since Russia launched its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, displacing millions and causing immeasurable suffering. And the spirit of the Ukrainian people remains unbroken, demonstrating remarkable resilience against Russian tyranny. You and your party colleagues are still the voice of Russia here in the European Parliament, but the huge majority here is supporting Ukraine, not least because this struggle is also a struggle and a fight for democracy, freedom and the rule of law globally. Russia's aggression threatens European and international stability and security. Therefore, we must enhance our support by increasing economic assistance for Ukraine's recovery and restructuring. We have to counter Russian propaganda and disinformation.”
“We have to support all the democratic forces and we have to say it very clearly: the 'Georgian Dream' stopped European integration and they are very close with Russia. This is the situation, and here we have to be loud and clear. 2-0525-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the 24 October parliamentary elections have raised serious questions about the Georgian Government's commitment to democratic values and to European integration. As one of the election observers, together with my colleagues, we noted significant irregularities, including political pressure before the election day, misuse of state resources and attacks on opposition politicians, all undermining the principles of free and fair elections. But something absolutely new for me was the use of surveillance cameras in all polling stations. I have observed elections in 35 different countries, but this was absolutely new for me. Such actions are unacceptable for a country with EU candidate status.”
“Free and fair elections overseen by the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international organisations are crucial for restoring democracy, and the so-called presidential elections on the 26 January, next weekend, are not free and fair – they are a farce, like Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said, a real farce. 2-0448-0000”
“Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the people of Belarus have faced brutal repression for years from Lukashenka's regime, and therefore it is our obligation to keep this issue on our agenda. The August 2020 elections were rigged and were followed by violence aimed at silencing civil society, and therefore we have to support civil society in Belorussia in their struggle for democracy. I think this is one of the biggest crises in our neighbourhood, and we have to condemn all politically‑motivated arrests and violence against activists, and all forms of repression.”
“Die USA bleiben unser zentraler Partner in der EU, und unsere Beziehungen beruhen hier auf unseren gemeinsamen Werten: Demokratie, Freiheit und Rechtsstaatlichkeit. Dafür gilt es zu kämpfen und die USA auf unserer Seite zu behalten. 2-0303-0000”
“Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika bleiben auch unter einem schwer einschätzbaren Präsidenten Donald Trump Europas wichtigster Partner. Eine stabile transatlantische Achse ist in allen Bereichen unerlässlich, ob es um militärische Fragen geht, um unsere wirtschaftliche Situation, aber auch in Umweltfragen. Ein gemeinsames Vorgehen der USA und der Europäischen Union ist gerade vor dem Hintergrund der Invasion von Russland in der Ukraine nur dann erfolgversprechend, wenn wir weiterhin zusammenarbeiten. Hier sind rasch auf europäischer Ebene die entsprechenden Schritte zu setzen von der Kommissionspräsidentin, aber auch von der Hohen Vertreterin, um mit der Administration von Trump rasch ins Gespräch zu kommen.”