11/10/2023 | 20:02:49 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear colleagues, I think today's discussion is improperly called a "debate" - because a debate includes opposing arguments and I do not think anyone here today has a different opinion on who is the victim and who is the aggressor. I condemn in the strongest of terms the barbaric and brutal terrorist attacks that Hamas has launched on Israel and I am appalled by the horrors and pure evil these so-called "men" could inflict on innocent people... 10/10/2023 | 16:38:14 Thank you, Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, The Group of the European People's Party welcomes this timely report on the rise of far-right extremism, a critical issue that threatens the core values of our countries are built upon. The recent surge in far-right extremism both in Europe and globally poses a clear and present danger to our commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and threatens the inclusive and diverse societies we aim to uphold. Over the past two decades, the... 24/01/2023 | 17:09:33 Thank you Mr President, dear colleagues, We face one of the most important moments in our organisation's history - a make or break one, where the Council of Europe must find ways to remain relevant by agreeing on a forward-looking vision in a new unprecedented historical context. We must remain the leading organisation in Europe for all issues relating to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. But in order to have a greater impact in these areas, we need new tools and renewed political... 13/10/2022 | 19:32:44 Thank you Mister Chair. Dear Colleagues, As president of the Romanian delegation, I welcome this report that acknowledges the significant progress that my country has made in the past few years. I would like to thank the rapporteurs, who have done an excellent job in capturing the situation in Romania. Romania is a country where European values are deeply rooted in our mentality. Proof of this stands in the overwhelming majority of our population that has voted for the reversal of the... 13/10/2022 | 16:40:05 Thank you, Mister Chair. Dear Colleagues, I'd like to begin by thanking the rapporteur for authoring this very important text. The resulting report is a very balanced one and could be the basis for a rational, mutually beneficial, solution to the issue. We all know the situation in the Northern Ireland, and it has been quite fragile for the decades now. But since the Good Friday Agreement, which ended the violence of The Troubles, a delicate peace was established. However, the consequences of... 26/04/2022 | 19:16:20 Thank you Mister Chair. Dear Colleagues, It is very important that we turn our attention today to the horrific development of the war of aggression against Ukraine. One that solidifies Vladimir Putin's place as one of the totalitarian leaders of our history. I am referring to the deportation of over 500 000 Ukrainian citizens from the occupied territories to remote areas of the Russian Federation. Five hundred thousand people, dear colleagues. That is twice the population of Strasbourg. To... 15/03/2022 | 12:12:02 Thank you Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, we are meeting under extraordinary circumstances, a meeting that I wish with all my heart would not be necessary. But unfortunately, the Russian Federation's horrifying, unacceptable actions leave us with no choice. We are appalled by this unprovoked war of aggression. And let us state things very clearly: we are witnessing a country murdering civilians of another member state, destroying its infrastructure, annexing parts of its territory. This is... 24/01/2022 | 19:37:09 Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to extend my congratulations to the rapporteur on this very well documented report which raises some important questions about the way forward for the European Union's policies on migration and asylum. I am sure that it will be an important advisory tool for the EU lawmakers. Out of all the issues raised, I'm particularly concerned about migrant children. Unfortunately, in this current version of the pact there is a real threat of lowering the existing... 23/01/2019 | 10:49:08 This thoughtful and well-rounded report could not have come at a better time. In their latest global report, experts from Freedom House concluded that 71 countries suffered net declines in political rights and civil liberties. Unfortunately, some of those countries are member States of the Council of Europe. One third of the world population now lives in backsliding democracies. In our age, democracies are no longer eliminated in sudden coups but are slowly eroded from within when those who...