Debate: State of the Union
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2020
Speaker: Ska Keller
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

It was exactly the historic experience of people suffering from war, destruction and displacement that motivated Europeans in the first place to build the EU. What a sad moment in our common history that we stand idle in the face of so much suffering on our doorstep. This shameful situation is our collective responsibility as Europeans. Greece has failed for many years to produce conditions in refugee camps that would at least be acceptable. Countries like the Netherlands and Austria told Greece not to allow refugees on the mainland and actively wanted to see terrible conditions in order that it might deter people fleeing from war and terror, and countries like Hungary refused to accept anyone in need.  But it is also true that the EU itself has turned a blind eye, has not insisted and has given up hope. I urge you, Commission President, to take up the fight with the Member States, to make it a top priority to help people in need, and not to give in to this disastrous state we’re in. Let us demonstrate that we are courageous and that we’re wholeheartedly European, and we have demonstrated that we can be courageous and lead the way forward towards progress. Together, the European Union will mobilise the means and funds to counter the worst of the economic effects of the pandemic, proof that we can be a strong union indeed. The agreement of July has a lot of shortcomings, but the signal of sticking together and finding a solution was very important. Now is the time to bring the Recovery Fund, as well as the long—term budget, into reality. Right now we set the standards for how we will spend the money and what we will spend it on. EU funds have to foster EU values and uphold the fundamentals of EU treaties. There can be no discount on the rule of law, not for Hungary, not for Poland, not for any other country.  I want to thank you for your strong words on the rights of LGBTI people and I would like to ask you to follow up on those strong words with a measure that the Commission has in its hands, namely an infringement procedure, because zones free of the essence of humanity cannot be accepted.  Public money should also not enhance the climate crisis. This sounds obvious, but unfortunately it is still the case that the EU budget subsidises fossil fuels. The common agricultural policy, as well as the trade policy, finally need to align with the Green Deal and the biodiversity strategy. For the next seven years, we need a European climate budget.  It is good to see, Commission President, that you have set out a new and higher emission reduction target of at least 55%. We welcome that and I’m sure there has been a lot of pressure to try to prevent you from doing so. These new targets are an important step forward, but any greenwashing with creative calculations would render them null and void. Even then, we know from a scientific point of view that at least -55% would not be enough. But luckily we have in this House in our Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) a good climate law that has been prepared. I hope this will come to a conclusion soon as time is of the essence. The climate cannot be negotiated with so we’d better move fast.  Let me finish by saluting the incredible courage that we see by the people in Belarus, who have demonstrated on the streets of the country in these weeks, especially the women. We see you, we see your wish for freedom, for democracy and to define your own future, and your courage is inspirational. From the freedom fighters in Belarus to the environmental activists in the Amazon, to the democracy protesters in Bulgaria, they are all looking at the European Union to uphold fundamental rights, to defend pluralism and to enforce the highest climate and environmental standards both in Europe and beyond. These are high standards to live by and it is up to all of us to make sure that we fulfil them.