Lukas Sieper
Member of the European Parliament · Renew · DE
“Madam President, I rise under Rule 202(1) and (4), and Rule 180(1) in conjunction with Rule 202(4). On Monday, the President reminded us that there should be no chanting in this Chamber. Yesterday, it happened again. The reaction of the sitting President? Nothing. Later, a colleague requested a personal statement.”
“We need to invest in humanitarian aid, not only because it's a human thing to do, but also for our own interests. If we do not invest properly where needed, we will face the consequences of our inaction in the form of mass migration, global health pandemics or detrimental economic impacts.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, especially after the recent USAID cuts, the European commitment to humanitarian aid has become crucial for millions of people across the world. Conflicts, climate change and economic factors drive millions of people in various countries into utterly precarious situations.”
“Herr Präsident, liebe Menschen Europas! Ich freue mich, als letzter Redner dem einen oder anderen hier noch ein paar gute Gedanken mitzugeben in die Sommerpause. Herr Bausemer, ich bewundere ja immer wieder die mentale Akrobatik, die Sie hier betreiben in diesem Plenarsaal.”
“Herr Mularczyk, ich möchte Sie darauf hinweisen, dass wir als europäische Abgeordnete Abgeordnete des gesamten europäischen Volkes sind. Wir vertreten hier nicht nur Deutschland, wir vertreten alle Bürgerinnen und Bürger Europas.”
“Θέλετε μόνο να κάνετε πως ενδιαφέρεστε. Λυπάμαι, αλλά σε αυτό το στημένο παιχνίδι δεν θα συμμετέχω. Islam out of Europe! (Η Πρόεδρος αφαιρεί τον λόγο από την ομιλήτρια) 3-0484-0000 Tomasz Froelich, Verfasser. – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin! Was für ein Martyrium! Maria Shahbaz, 13 Jahre jung, Christin.”
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“And this is to this day why the ICC is so important, and why we must draw a line in the sand now to protect it. 3-0396-0000”
“Mr President, dear people of Europe, one of the most cynical things about the crimes of the National Socialists in the Holocaust was that it all, under German law, was perfectly legal. All the deportation, all the gas chambers, all the mass killings were not spontaneous acts of violence, but were based on laws, on regulation, on orders. So when the Nazi regime fell, international lawyers and the international community faced a severe challenge: how to prosecute people for something that was legal; how to prosecute those in power for something that is perfectly fine under their national law at the time. This is when international criminal law was founded – to keep people accountable, no matter how big their power to shape their own legal system.”
“Therefore, I think that the first experiences we have with the plurilateral approach, when it comes to the dispute settlement mechanism and to the MPIA, are something which are pointing us in the direction that there might also be this alternative approach to these difficult questions when we want to show that we have that ambition to move forward. I know that some of you will be travelling together with us to Yaoundé for sure; I am very much looking forward to having plenty of time to compare notes, exchange views and to push in one European pro-reform direction in the WTO. 3-0371-0000 Die Präsidentin. – Zum Abschluss der Aussprache wurde gemäß Artikel 136 Absatz 2 der Geschäftsordnung ein Entschließungsantrag eingereicht. Die Aussprache ist geschlossen. Die Abstimmung findet morgen, Donnerstag, 12. März 2026, statt.”
“But we should not wait another two years for another ministerial council to have the results, so there has to be much more regularity in the discussion also on the political level to achieve our goals. I also would like to reassure all of the honourable Members who have hesitation about multilateral versus plurilateral. First and foremost, of course, we would prefer to go on a multilateral basis, but we have seen that because of how this principle was involved in the practical application of unanimity that we are stuck in many, many files, which are important also for developing countries, like, for example, this investment IFDA proposition.”
“Then, of course, we also need the flexibility and agility so the organisation can be more agile and more fine-tuned to reflect the changes that are happening today with enormous dynamism and at great pace. I am sure that together we will be able to push for this positive development and to make sure the WTO will be reformed, will be stronger and will be even more relevant in the future. I am also very pleased to hear from honourable Members that we share the same position on key files, including the IFDA, e-commerce, and also making sure that the meeting in Yaoundé starts what I would like to describe as 'a new beginning'. I think it is very important to give a very clear political signal, political steer.”
“So I once again would like to reassure everyone that our aim is to work very hard with all of you on WTO 2.0, which should be updated to the current situation and to the current importance of the big trading powers in global trade, and which would bring us better results along the three principles that I was outlining earlier, to have more predictability, to know that the rules are the rules, that they will be respected and, if they are not, there is an enforcement mechanism. We also want the system to be more fair because the last decision was taken in 1995 – quite some time ago – and we know what kind of changes have taken place since then and how the position of many, many countries in global trade has evolved.”
“From this debate, but also from all the reflections which have been incorporated into the text of the draft resolution which will be presented to and voted on in the plenary tomorrow, I think that it is quite clear that we share a vision for a reformed and fully functioning WTO, and that we are speaking with one voice when it comes to the importance of this organisation, to the crucial place the WTO plays in the rules-based world trade and how important it is to also uphold it in the future.”
“Together with partners who believe in openness, fairness and international law, the European Union should act as a stabilising and constructive force for a modern and effective multilateral trading system. 3-0369-0000 (Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen) 3-0370-0000 Maroš Šefčovič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, I would also like to express my gratitude to all the intervening Members of the European Parliament. I would also like to thank Mr Lange, Mr Warborn and their colleagues in particular for the hard work they put into the resolution on the reform process in the WTO, which I hope will be approved tomorrow.”
“Madam President, dear people of Europe, the international trading system stands at a crossroads. For decades, the rules‑based order under the World Trade Organization helped reduce tariffs, expand opportunity and create prosperity across continents. Yet today, that system faces unprecedented pressure. When rules are ignored or undermined, it is not institutions that ultimately suffer, it is our citizens, our workers and our businesses. That is why the ministerial conference in Yaoundé is so important. The WTO must adapt to a changing world: modern rules for digital trade; stronger frameworks for investment facilitation; and procedures that allow cooperation among those willing to move forward while preserving the integrity of the multilateral system. But reform will not happen by itself. Europe must help drive it.”
“A clearer and more proportionate system benefits them directly, while still ensuring a high level of consumer protection. The lessons from recent crises, especially the pandemic, have shown how important it is to have predictable rules on refunds, vouchers and responsibilities. This reform moves us in the right direction – towards a fairer, more transparent and more resilient framework for all.”
“European citizens increasingly rely on complex travel services, often booked across borders, and they deserve clear, reliable protection when things go wrong – whether due to cancellations, insolvency of operators or unexpected disruptions. This proposal strengthens those protections while also addressing a key issue: clarity. Too often, both travellers and businesses face uncertainty about their rights and obligations. By simplifying the existing framework, we make it easier for consumers to understand what they are entitled to and for companies to comply with the rules. We must also keep in mind that the travel and tourism sector is made up predominantly of small and medium-sized enterprises. Overly complex or burdensome regulation risks harming these businesses, which are vital to Europe’s economy and local communities.”
“Industrija illi hija daqstant importanti, industrija illi waqt in-negozjati illi kellna kemm hawnhekk fil-Parlament Ewropew u kif ukoll mal-Kummissjoni u mal-Kunsill, rajna li ma nitfgħux fuqha piż sproporzjonat. Allura, grazzi ħafna tal-appoġġ lill-gruppi politiċi kollha, lix-shadow rapporteurs, imma fl-aħħar mill-aħħar, lill-Kummissjoni Ewropea illi kienet ta' spalla soda f'dan il-proċess kollu. 3-0349-0000 Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen. Die Abstimmung findet morgen, Donnerstag, 12. März 2026, statt. Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 178) 3-0349-5000 Nikola Bartůšek (NI), in writing – The revision of the rules on package travel and linked travel arrangements is both timely and necessary.”
“Naħseb huwa messaġġ b'saħħtu, messaġġ importanti għaliex jekk irridu illi l-proġett Ewropew jibqa' proġett rilevanti f'għajnejn in-nies, proġett illi, fl-aħħar mill-aħħar, iċ-ċittadini, l-elettorat tagħna, japprezza x-xogħol ta' kull wieħed u waħda minna, għandna naraw illi nindirizzaw il-vera prijoritajiet tan-nies, il-vera wġigħ ta' ras illi jkollhom in-nies. U wara ċ-ċirkostanzi illi kellna fil-passat, kif diġà għedt: Thomas Cook, il-falliment ta' Thomas Cook, il-pandemija COVID-19 u d-diżastru illi ħalliet f'dan is-settur u l-inċertezza li ħalliet f'dan is-settur, kien importanti li naġixxu, u, għada ser inkunu qegħdin nivvutaw fuq biċċa leġiżlazzjoni illi tipproteġi lill-konsumaturi tagħna, imma fl-istess ħin, hija raġonevoli wkoll fejn tidħol l-industrija turistika.”
“So I look forward to seeing the outcome of the vote tomorrow. Once again, thank you all for your work on this important file that I think will help to bring about improvements both for consumers and businesses. And thank you for your attention. 3-0348-0000 Alex Agius Saliba, rapporteur. – Sinjura President, naħseb illum bgħatna messaġġ illi, fejn jidħlu d-drittijiet u t-titjib tad-drittijiet tal-konsumaturi tagħna, bħala Parlament Ewropew għandna lkoll ningħaqdu. Bħala gruppi politiċi differenti li forsi għandna prijoritajiet u opinjonijiet differenti, però fejn tidħol il-protezzjoni tal-konsumaturi tagħna, speċjalment meta qegħdin jivvjaġġaw, speċjalment meta għandna realtà ta' kriżi ġeopolitika li qegħdin naffaċċjaw, meta għaddejna, ftit tas-snin ilu, mir-realtà ta' pandemija globali.”
“Another important aspect that is highlighted in the review clause is the impact of the new rules on micro‑, small and medium‑sized enterprises, and many colleagues in the House raised over the course of the discussions and negotiations the importance not just of the large travel businesses, but indeed of the micro‑, small and medium‑sized businesses. So we do need to take account and reflect over time on the impact of the directive on them. Once the new rules have been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, Member States will have 28 months to transpose them into national law. On the Commission side, as always, we stand ready to accompany and support the transposition process to ensure that consumers and businesses can benefit from this new framework across the EU as soon as possible.”
“Travellers will enjoy clearer information about what constitutes a travel package and its benefits, such as assistance and repatriation, and clearer conditions for cancellation and for refund. Under the amended directive, the Commission will present a report on the application of the new rules within five years. We will pay particular attention to the application of the new Article 5a, which provides additional transparency safeguards for travellers in the case of bookings, where the criteria of a package are not met, but where travellers could easily perceive bookings of different travel services as constituting a package.”
“I would like to emphasise again that this text, in my view, represents indeed a very balanced outcome overall and takes due account of the interests of the various stakeholder groups. Clearer and more effective rules are in the interest of all those parties that are subject to them – travel businesses and consumers, but also in the interest of the authorities and the bodies that have to enforce them. As the Consumer Protection Commissioner, of course I want to see strong consumer protections, but it is also important that the authorities have clear rules that they can ensure are consistently applied. The new rules will also ensure better preparedness for crisis situations leading to extraordinary disruptions such as the COVID pandemic or the ongoing events in the Middle East.”
“Wenn Sie sich also beim nächsten Mal fragen: Warum sind da Worte wie „außergewöhnliche Umstände”, „unvermeidbare Ereignisse”, dann liegt das einfach nur daran, dass wir unseren Mitgliedstaaten die Möglichkeit geben wollen, das so in ihre nationalen Rechtsordnungen zu implementieren, wie es eben Sinn macht, damit alle unsere gemeinsamen europäischen Interessen ausgeglichen sind. Schalten Sie auch nächste Woche wieder ein. 3-0346-0000 (Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen) 3-0347-0000 Michael McGrath, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, I would like to begin by thanking all of the honourable Members for contributing to this discussion. It has been a very interesting debate this evening, and overall I have to say I am encouraged by the wide support expressed for the text that you are about to vote on tomorrow.”
“Madam President. Mr Tynkkynen, you surprise me over and over again, and I do not mean this in a good fashion. Liebe Menschen Europas! Herzlich willkommen zurück zu unserer beliebten Show „Wir bringen den Faschisten bei, wie die EU funktioniert“. Heute hatten wir den Herrn Kollegen Bausemer. Der Kollege Bausemer, der ärgert sich, weil in dieser neuen Richtlinie ganz viele unbestimmte Rechtsbegriffe drin sind. Dabei müssen doch gerade in einer Richtlinie unbestimmte Rechtsbegriffe drin sein, muss diese doch in 27 nationale Rechtsordnungen umgesetzt werden, was insbesondere unseren Kolleginnen und Kollegen von der Fraktion Europa der Souveränen Nationen doch besonders wichtig sein sollte.”
“Mr President, since the very first day of this conflict, people want me to pick sides. People want me to pick sides as a politician between an Islamist terror regime and war criminals that are corrupt and transform their state into authoritarianism. I refuse to pick sides, because the only people that I care about in this are the civilians that suffer. And you can choose which side kills more or kills worse these civilians. What I can tell you from all of this is that we need to transform Europe to play a real role in the future. We need a European army. We need a common foreign policy. We need to be able to get our own citizens out of such a situation. Only if we make ourselves ready can we really weather the storms of geopolitics. 3-0113-0000”
“Mr President, in accordance with Rule 10, the Members of this House have to respect the dignity of Parliament. Mr Droese just called this Parliament a 'sham' Parliament, which is an insult to the dignity of this House. The same insult was already perpetrated last plenary session by a member of his very own party, by a member of his very own group. We can no longer tolerate that Members of this House denouncing this as a 'sham' Parliament. 3-0100-0000”
“Suomalaisena minua erityisesti kiinnostavat ne yhteydet, joita meillä voi olla arktisen yhteistyön puitteissa Kanadan kanssa. Suuri osa Kanadaa on myös harvaan asuttua, kylmän ilmanalan aluetta, kuten myös EU:n pohjoisin seutu, Suomen Lappi ja Ruotsin Norrbotten. Tiedämme, että arktisen alueen geopoliittinen merkitys on myös kasvamassa. Kanada ja Grönlanti muodostavat suuren osan maapallon ns. pohjoiskalottia, eli Napapiirin pohjoispuolella olevaa aluetta. EU:lle on etenkin nykyisissä olosuhteissa erittäin tärkeää vaalia hyviä suhteita kumpaankin.”
“Second, if you are still unhappy, talk to your rapporteur – who supported this very clearly – and the ECR, because there are some people, even in your party, who understand the necessity in this moment to cooperate with Canada. 2-0496-0000 Priekšsēdētājs. – Debates ir slēgtas. Balsošana notiks rītdien. Rakstiski paziņojumi (178. pants) 2-0496-5000 Katri Kulmuni (Renew), kirjallinen – Sanotaan, että jos Kanada sijaitsisi lähempänä, niin se olisi EU:n jäsen. En tiedä, olisiko näin, mutta selvää on, että Kanadan ja Euroopan välit ovat läheiset. Vaikka maantiede erottaa, niin historia ja kulttuuri yhdistävät, ja sieltä kumpuavat myös yhteiset arvot. Meidän on jatkuvasti tarkasteltava, miten voisimme paremmin edistää EU:n ja Kanadan välistä yhteistyötä. Samalla tietysti jäsenmaat voivat kehittää omia kahdenvälisiä suhteitaan Kanadaan.”
“Mr President, dear people of Europe, Mr Tynkkynen, climate protection is not an ideology – it's a necessity. Frau Kommissarin, ich möchte auf eine Sache verweisen, die die Kollegin Bentele gerade sehr richtig gesagt hat: Mit Kanada passt einfach alles. Und manchmal, wenn ich einen ruhigen Moment habe, dann denke ich über die Europäische Union nach. Und dann frage ich mich: Was ist die Europäische Union eigentlich? Die Europäische Union ist ein rechtliches Konstrukt, eine supranationale Organisation, eine Union der Werte, eine Union des gemeinsamen Marktes. Aber ist sie wirklich als Konzept, als Idee gebunden an Europa? Kann wirklich nur Europa das, was die Europäische Union kann? Ich glaube nicht.”
“Cu toate acestea, în prezent recomandările sunt adresate exclusiv la nivel național, în timp ce pentru perioada 2028–2034 discutăm tot mai mult despre descentralizare și despre un rol mai important al regiunilor în implementarea reformelor. Apare astfel o discrepanță: regiunile vor avea responsabilități mai mari, dar nu primesc recomandări specifice. De aceea, solicit Comisiei să implice mai mult autoritățile regionale și locale în procesul Semestrului European și să ia în considerare dimensiunea teritorială, inclusiv prin recomandări la nivel regional, în special pentru regiunile mai puțin dezvoltate și regiunile în tranziție.”
“Déclarations écrites (article 178) 2-0262-5000 Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE), în scris – Raportul Draghi transmite un mesaj clar: dacă Europa vrea să își mențină competitivitatea, are nevoie de investiții suplimentare de aproximativ 800 de miliarde de euro anual. Există însă un decalaj evident între ambițiile noastre politice și resursele financiare disponibile, mai ales dacă ne uităm la propunerea Comisiei pentru noul buget. Consider esențial, așadar, să mobilizăm mai eficient atât fondurile publice, cât și capitalul privat și instituțiile financiare europene și, în același timp, să fim mai ambițioși în negocierile cu Consiliul privind viitorul buget european. În acest context, Semestrul European trebuie să rămână un instrument esențial pentru orientarea reformelor și investițiilor.”
“First, many of you stressed the need for a stronger role of the European Parliament in the European Semester – it is very clear. And as country-specific recommendations become increasingly linked to EU funding in the next MFF, then democratic scrutiny by this House becomes even more essential. Second, we share the common goal of investing in people, education and skills. Third, there is a broad agreement that economic policy coordination must better reflect social considerations. So let me thank you now again for the constructive spirit we had in working together. I look forward to tomorrow's vote, and also, of course, the response that we receive from the Commission. 2-0262-0000 Le Président. – La discussion commune est close et le vote aura lieu demain.”
“We have presented the first human capital recommendation in this European Semester, which is exactly about helping the European Union invest coherently across industries, across value chains, in the skills that people need so that we are able to empower them and make them able to benefit from the opportunities of new transformations in industry, but also protected from the restructuring or the vulnerability of the same industries. Obviously, it is important to note that the European Semester is quite linked with the budget's elaboration. This Semester is particularly linked to the next multiannual financial framework. So obviously, the way that we shape the next European budget is closely linked with what we monitor, with what we collect, with what we do through our coordination mechanism in the European Semester.”
“For all these topics – and you have mentioned different views on them – for all these topics, the European Semester process is extremely relevant and has a direct impact on what the EU does to support Member States to support its citizens. Obviously, monitoring the situation of the housing prices, the affordability, the accessibility of housing is quite central to the monitoring processes of the European Semester, and there is an outcome. The outcome is the affordable housing plan that we have adopted, following up to which we are deploying all the tools that are meant to support Member States to respond to this important challenge. Looking at the evolution of energy prices, of inflation driven by energy prices, we monitor them through the Semester and we are, again, acting at European level.”
“Kooperation in einem Binnenmarkt ist keine Bedrohung für den Wohlstand, sie ist seine Voraussetzung. Und dementsprechend müssen wir zusammenstehen gegen Extremismus, gegen Populismus – in der Wirtschaftspolitik und überall sonst. 2-0257-0000 (Fin des interventions à la demande) 2-0258-0000 Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you so much for the input from this debate on the European Semester process. Just a few remarks on some important topics which are reflected in the European Semester process, but are also present in our citizens' everyday lives. We are looking at topics such as energy prices, housing, but also their security, skills and how we prepare them for the transformations of our economy and budget, how we invest in Europe.”
“Herr Präsident, liebe Menschen Europas! Wenn man Kollegen wie dem Kollegen Jungbluth so zuhört, dann hat man das Gefühl, das größte Problem, was wir in Europa haben, ist, dass die Kommission tatsächlich ihre Kompetenzen wahrnimmt. Dabei ist das Problem doch eigentlich ein ganz anderes. Wir würden doch viel mehr Zeit haben, uns auf Wirtschaftspolitik, auf Innovationen, auf Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zu konzentrieren, wenn wir uns nicht in einem ständigen Abwehrkampf gegen Extremisten und Populisten befinden würden – ein Abwehrkampf über die Werte der liberalen Demokratie, ein Abwehrkampf über Werte einzelner Menschen. Wer jede Form europäischer Zusammenarbeit reflexartig als Kompetenzverschiebung diffamiert, der schwächt nicht Brüssel, er schwächt Europa und damit letztlich auch unsere wirtschaftliche Stärke.”
“Frau Vizepräsidentin! Ich möchte die Kollegin Boßdorf daran erinnern, dass die Geschäftsordnung des Europäischen Parlaments in Artikel 10 Absatz 4 die Hassrede verbietet. Hassrede ist unter anderem nach ständiger Rechtsprechung europäischer Gerichte, Transfrauen und anderen nonbinären Personen ihre Geschlechteridentität abzusprechen. 1-0145-0000 Die Präsidentin. – Vielen Dank. Wir nehmen das zu Protokoll und leiten das an die Präsidentin weiter. 1-0146-0000”
“Because when we do that – not if – we don't just win the future, we become the future the world wants to be part of. 1-0126-0000”
“Madam President, dear people of Europe, Commissioner, the author mentioned that research and education can become a unique selling point of Europe – and she's right. Throughout history, there have been many centres of knowledge and education: Alexandria, Baghdad, Oxford, Paris. Why not Europe again? Imagine a continent where a student in Lagos dreams of studying in Kraków; where a researcher in Mumbai dreams of studying and researching in Lisbon, over Boston; where Europe doesn't just compete, where we define what excellence means. This will only happen if we include those in our legislation who love Europe the most: young students, young researchers. Commissioner, the ERA Act must make Europe the place young minds dream about.”
“Once again, we have a government that tries to stray away from the values that its nation committed to, that embezzles EU funds. And on that, I can just say: Slovensko je viac ako Robert Fico a má na viac. 3-0312-0000”
“Madam President, Mr Mazurek, I am once again impressed by the currentness and diversity of your thoughts in this House. Dear colleagues, I would take this opportunity to remind some of us again about the Treaties of the European Union – quite simple and quite important documents. In Article 1, it says that the Member States establish a Union where they transfer power and sovereignty to the Union. In Article 2, it says that this Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including – and this will be a tough pill to swallow for some of us here – the rights of persons that belong to minorities. I think this situation is really clear here.”
“Madam President, dear people of Europe, what's happening in Minneapolis, what's happening to the rule of law in the United States is horrifying, truly horrifying. And it has been happening for years – a reminder that democracy does not die overnight. It fades slowly, step by step: a slow decline, a drift toward fascism, fuelled by fake news media. Very sad! They used to say, 'Europe is declining.' Remember that! 'Europe is finished': that's what they said. Well, look at us now: we are the biggest market in the world, the fairest society anywhere. The best rights: nobody does rights like we do, the best rights. Brussels will be the new centre of freedom: very strong, very stable, very European. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. Have a good one. 3-0207-0000”
“The transitional government attempted to crush democratic confederalism and the revolution of Rojava and as this was happening, Ursula von der Leyen was meeting with Ahmed al-Shaara and pledging a huge financial package to the transitional government. All of us wish to see Syria emerge from the dark days of the Assad regime but this cannot mean that the EU can turn a blind eye when the transitional government attempts to destroy an entire people and way of life. The Kurdish people have consistently shown they will not be erased. They have stood against attempts to conquer them and have built a truly democratic and inclusive revolution. The EU must support them in their struggle for self-determination. Self-determination is non-negotiable and there must be consequences for those who deny that most basic and most fundamental right.”
“We will also, as I said, remain engaged bilaterally, regionally and through the Global Coalition to prevent the resurgence of Daesh and other extremist groups in Syria. Preventing Daesh – many of you mentioned this – remains a collective security priority, and it is key for the security of Syria and for the security of the region, but also for the security of Europe. 2-0335-0000 PREȘEDINȚIA: VICTOR NEGRESCU Vicepreședinte 2-0336-0000 Preşedinte. – Am primit opt propuneri de rezoluție, depuse pe baza declarației. Dezbaterea este închisă. Votul va avea loc joi. Declarații scrise (articolul 178) 2-0336-5000 Lynn Boylan (The Left), in writing – Over the past number of weeks, the Kurdish people of Northeast Syria faced threats to their very existence from the Syrian Transitional Government.”
“But it has also shown the enormous care and trust for the people of Syria. We should continue to work together to help the people of Syria, whatever our differences can be. I think they need our joint and concrete efforts. So I want to thank you for this debate. Just to say that the way Damascus handles SDF integration is a litmus test for the inclusivity of the Syrian transition process, and it will significantly impact the dynamics between the transitional authorities and the different Syrian communities. We, as the European Union, will continue to have a structured engagement with the Syrian transitional authorities and civil society. With the Member States we are eager to reinforce our engagement under a Team Europe approach – it is not always easy because Member States have different bilateral positions.”
“So the money goes also there, just to understand. So civilian protection is so important and it is interesting in the building of civil society. Mr Stier, who also left, was talking about Alawites, Druze, Christians and Jews. They need, of course, to be protected, but I want to thank him for his valuable ideas on a federal approach and the inclusive society. Returning sanctions will not help any of these ethnic and religious communities. This will move us back. So we do not think that this is a good idea. The situation is not frozen. The situation is very fragile, with many actors on the scene, with the trust among them. We are doing what we can in this context in order to advance peace and stability. To conclude, I think this debate has shown the big concern all of us share: care.”
“So the full protection of Kurdish rights is also crucial. We are not interfering, we are accompanying – because he said that we are interfering. We are accompanying Syrians on their journey to transition. We are supporting the minorities very directly and also through channelling the reforms. Ms Al-Sahlani, I fully agree on the need for a functional and real ceasefire, and I share her view and the views of many of you who spoke about the need for protection of Kurdish women. The Kurdish community, all of us know, is an integral part of Syria's social fabric and has an important role in building the new Syria. On some other points, because many of you have left – on children freezing, we heard a lot. Our DG ECHO is providing emergency support, including heating and infant supplies when access allows.”
“On some other issues I will try to reply, but it is not possible to reply to all of you. The European Union is closely monitoring the situation in Aleppo and north‑east Syria, including through our delegation in Damascus, and we remain vigilant about respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. We will continue supporting a peaceful and truly inclusive transition – when I say inclusive, I mean inclusive – and also national reconciliation, which is very important. Also to reply to some of you, to Mr Sánchez Amor, we are advocating for a genuinely inclusive political transition. But for this to happen we need integration of military, security and civilian institutions into unified state structures alongside meaningful political and local participation, which is essential.”
“So the Commission applies strict safeguards to the implementation of the European Union funds. We have monitoring programmes, including regular reports from implementing partners in local verification missions, but also results‑oriented monitoring exercises. So European Union funds will not be channelled via the transitional government, but the transitional authorities are closely involved and consulted, and they are one of the key beneficiaries through capacity‑building. So for the time being the Commission will work with implementing partners on the ground. As you know, the first implementing partners are the United Nations and Member State agencies who are present on the ground, but also civil society organisations. So every euro is controlled and can be withdrawn immediately. This is about financing.”
“I think the question that we have to ask ourselves is, do we want a Syria that keeps on being a playing field for big powers, or do we want a Syria where we contribute to the peace so that the people can actually live there? 2-0333-0000 (Încheierea intervențiilor la cerere) 2-0334-0000 Dubravka Šuica, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, I was listening carefully. First, many of you asked about financing. So I will start with financing controls. All of you know that financing is accompanied by strong controls and conditions. So we are screening all partners, contractors, subcontractors against EU and UN sanctions lists. For example, for school rehabilitation projects we use satellite images and we are monitoring to verify that facilities are built and used for education and not repurposed for military or political use.”
“Mr President, dear people of Europe, one month after the regime change in Syria, I had the opportunity to travel through northern Syria, and I had a meeting with Mazloum Abdi, the commander‑in‑chief of the SDF, the predominantly Kurdish forces that are now fighting with the central government. And one thing that I remember to this day is the wall of memorabilia that the commander‑in‑chief of the SDF had in this meeting room. He had tokens of remembrance from his collaboration with the CIA, with the Russians, with the Israelis, with the Germans, even with the Turkish. So with many, many different nations, many, many different organisations these people fought together under changing circumstances.”
“Wenn wir wollen, dass europäischer Wein auch morgen noch für Exzellenz, Handwerk und Verantwortung steht, dann müssen wir heute handeln. 1-0083-0000”
“Frau Präsidentin, liebe Menschen Europas! Ich glaube, das wurde in dieser Debatte schon gesagt, ich sage es trotzdem: Im Wein liegt die Wahrheit. Und damit ist der Wein spiegelbildlich für eine Entwicklung, die wir im Moment bei mehreren europäischen Wirtschaftszweigen erleben: steigende Bürokratie, steigende Kosten für den Klimawandel, die Abkehr gerade einer jüngeren Generation von klassischem Konsumverhalten. Gleichzeitig ist der Wein aber ein Produkt, was uns als Kultur, als Kontinent schon lange begleitet hat und noch lange begleiten wird. Und ich denke, gerade deshalb kann die Antwort hier wie immer nur eine europäische sein. Wir brauchen gezielte Unterstützung bei der Anpassung an den Klimawandel, Investitionen in nachhaltige Produktion, faire Regeln im Binnenmarkt und echte Hilfe beim Zugang zu neuen Märkten.”
“Madam President, Rule 10(1) and (4). Dear colleagues, I have had the honour to address this chamber more than 250 times. If you spend so much time here, you start to listen not only to speeches, but to people, to the interpreters, to the ushers, to the secretaries and to the Vice‑Presidents. And they all tell me the same thing: the level of verbal hostility in this mandate is unprecedented. We hear comparisons with the German SS, on one hand; we hear colleagues being called 'losers', as if this were a schoolyard, on the other hand. And yes, I myself also crossed the line when I called Ms Anderson, the German one, 'a coward'. This was wrong, and I apologise for that. We are political opponents. We are meant to disagree, sometimes fiercely. But we must never forget every single person in this House represents citizens.”
“Media freedom is not optional; it is a foundation of our democratic systems. The Commission will continue to act firmly, fairly and in line with its responsibility to protect it. 3-0432-0000”