1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Brussels Live Transcribed and translated by AI 2 00:00:26,676 --> 00:00:31,664 Thank you so much. And first of all, let me thank my good friend, Minister Sošina, 3 00:00:31,716 --> 00:00:39,135 for his hospitality and for hosting a very productive meeting here today. 4 00:00:39,276 --> 00:00:45,636 It is very clear that the crisis we are in is. 5 00:00:45,816 --> 00:00:55,736 A crisis that primarily. Is a result of us being dependent on importing fossil fuel. 6 00:00:55,896 --> 00:01:00,889 So we call it an energy crisis, but actually it is a fossil fuel crisis. 7 00:01:00,996 --> 00:01:10,432 The European Union has spent 134 billion euros more on our energy since February 8 00:01:10,494 --> 00:01:17,892 than we normally do. So this is 134 euros that we've paid extra without getting 9 00:01:17,978 --> 00:01:24,657 anything extra. So this is why our citizens see very high prices of energy. 10 00:01:24,756 --> 00:01:29,092 It's a huge challenge in all member states. 11 00:01:29,256 --> 00:01:33,283 But we also have other challenges. Security is one. 12 00:01:33,396 --> 00:01:39,104 We have an aggressor in the east that has attacked our friends in Ukraine. 13 00:01:39,156 --> 00:01:44,874 We want to help Ukraine as best we can. We are also very well aware that there is an 14 00:01:44,917 --> 00:01:48,966 actual threat from Russia against the European Union. 15 00:01:49,056 --> 00:01:53,554 And therefore, of course, energy security becomes even more important because there 16 00:01:53,607 --> 00:02:01,947 is no security without energy security. So we need to stay on course with our 17 00:02:02,022 --> 00:02:07,067 transition because the answer to both of these challenges, the high prices and our 18 00:02:07,116 --> 00:02:16,566 security, is to deploy far more renewables, as fast as possible, to become a true 19 00:02:16,631 --> 00:02:23,736 energy union that are better connected than we are today, and we're working hard on 20 00:02:23,784 --> 00:02:30,414 these things. Last year we deployed a record of 89 gigawatts of new renewables in 21 00:02:30,484 --> 00:02:35,144 the European Union. This is quite an achievement. 22 00:02:35,256 --> 00:02:39,655 One gigabyte is enough to supply 1 million households. 23 00:02:39,756 --> 00:02:42,979 This year we hope to break that record again. 24 00:02:43,116 --> 00:02:46,351 We also need to become much more energy efficient. 25 00:02:46,416 --> 00:02:51,916 Since our last crisis in 2022, we've actually reduced our consumption of gas in 26 00:02:52,146 --> 00:03:02,396 Europe by 22%. This helps us, and makes it not easier but more manageable to be in a 27 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:07,559 crisis like the one we're in now. And this is also why even though in many ways the 28 00:03:07,626 --> 00:03:12,537 crisis that we're in now is a worse crisis than the one we had in 2022, we are 29 00:03:12,601 --> 00:03:16,926 better situated at dealing with it than we were in 2022. 30 00:03:17,016 --> 00:03:22,716 So we have discussed these issues, and others today, it has. 31 00:03:23,256 --> 00:03:27,784 Been a very good meeting. We're not done yet, but we've already had some very, very 32 00:03:27,911 --> 00:03:34,917 good talks. And I want to also mention here that we are very happy that we've been 33 00:03:34,972 --> 00:03:40,721 able to welcome the Czech Republic and Poland as new members of CESEC. 34 00:03:40,836 --> 00:03:45,388 And we look forward to the collaboration with these two new countries. 35 00:03:45,456 --> 00:03:48,516 I can take one or two questions, but if there are any. 36 00:03:49,416 --> 00:03:54,235 You already mentioned how prices are so high of the fuel. 37 00:03:54,336 --> 00:03:59,556 Is it possible to make it even a little bit less than they are now? 38 00:03:59,976 --> 00:04:07,140 Yes. So on the short term, the thing that can be done by governments are, of course, 39 00:04:07,236 --> 00:04:13,716 different types of subsidies. IRH member states that choose this path to do it in a 40 00:04:13,796 --> 00:04:17,873 mindful way so that it is temporary and targeted. 41 00:04:17,976 --> 00:04:21,456 So that we don't risk undermining our long-term strategy. 42 00:04:21,576 --> 00:04:26,789 But then there's also electrification. Okay, electricity is also too expensive now, 43 00:04:26,847 --> 00:04:31,638 but still compared an average family in the European Union will save 60% on their 44 00:04:31,702 --> 00:04:36,832 heating bill if they change from a gas boiler to an electric heat pump. 45 00:04:36,996 --> 00:04:40,613 Insulation, renovation of houses is another thing that can be done quite fast. 46 00:04:40,656 --> 00:04:44,916 And if you support it from a government, it will also help our citizens. 47 00:04:45,936 --> 00:04:48,036 Croatia is doing the subsidies. It's using. 48 00:04:48,336 --> 00:04:51,603 Yes. I do know, and do know that, and I think that's a very good idea. 49 00:04:51,696 --> 00:04:58,652 It's also doing it in a way that does not undermine the long-term strategy, but 50 00:04:58,698 --> 00:05:00,882 actually that supports the long-term strategy. 51 00:05:00,936 --> 00:05:01,656 Okay, thank you. 52 00:05:01,656 --> 00:05:02,856 Thank you. 53 00:22:40,116 --> 00:22:41,316 Welcome 54 00:22:58,356 --> 00:23:02,241 On the shoulder. Weapon. To the leg. Arms. 55 00:23:02,294 --> 00:23:03,494 Legs. 56 00:51:45,576 --> 00:51:53,682 All right, let's say my best month of so thank you very much. 57 00:51:53,736 --> 00:51:57,636 Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. Secretary General, how are you? 58 00:52:23,316 --> 00:52:28,850 I'm especially pleased to be here following yesterday's discussions in the Foreign 59 00:52:28,915 --> 00:52:34,651 Affairs Committee. Make marking an important step towards Poland's ratification of 60 00:52:34,716 --> 00:52:39,956 the decision, enabling proxy voting for pregnant women and new mothers. 61 00:52:40,056 --> 00:52:46,206 In the European Parliament, Poland becomes the 10th country to complete the process, 62 00:52:46,270 --> 00:52:51,316 assign of how rapidly ratification is progressing across Europe. 63 00:52:51,396 --> 00:52:57,874 We are seeing increasing hybrid threats here in Poland and across Europe. 64 00:52:57,936 --> 00:53:04,469 Poland has long been sounding the alarm about the threat from the east, and Europe 65 00:53:04,540 --> 00:53:10,637 has heeded the call. Across our union, we are investing in defense and preparedness, 66 00:53:10,716 --> 00:53:15,981 and here I would like to thank Poland for its leadership on this, both in the EU and 67 00:53:16,139 --> 00:53:22,027 in NATO. In the European Parliament, we have delivered legislation to boost our 68 00:53:22,116 --> 00:53:27,674 capabilities, strengthen our defense industries, and facilitate cooperation across 69 00:53:27,730 --> 00:53:32,833 borders. And here I really thank Polish members of the European Parliament that have 70 00:53:32,885 --> 00:53:34,176 led these negotiations. 71 00:53:34,536 --> 00:53:41,352 I also informed the Chair that as regards the amendment to the European Electoral 72 00:53:41,414 --> 00:53:47,412 Act to allow Members of the European Parliament who are before or after childbirth 73 00:53:47,524 --> 00:53:54,955 to vote by proxy, yesterday the Foreign Affairs Committee gave a positive opinion 74 00:53:55,027 --> 00:54:02,288 and today, after completing all formalities, the Sejm will submit it. 75 00:54:02,429 --> 00:54:10,536 Decision and for acceptance to Mr President of this decision. 76 00:54:15,456 --> 00:54:21,614 Mr President, I welcome the President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta 77 00:54:21,687 --> 00:54:26,616 Metsola, who is paying an official visit to Poland with a delegation. 78 00:54:40,236 --> 00:54:45,782 Poland also saw the danger coming long before the rest of us. 79 00:54:45,996 --> 00:54:52,032 For years, you warned us about Russia. About energy dependence. 80 00:54:52,116 --> 00:54:59,057 About what the Kremlin was capable of. And too many in Europe did not listen. 81 00:54:59,196 --> 00:55:06,832 Now you are right. Europe should have heard you sooner. 82 00:55:06,996 --> 00:55:13,666 Today no. Buddy needs convincing. Your presidency of the Council of the European 83 00:55:13,716 --> 00:55:17,656 Union put security at the top of Europe's agenda. 84 00:55:17,736 --> 00:55:22,917 You are building the east shield and you are the first to draw on Europe's new 85 00:55:22,986 --> 00:55:29,178 defense funding with almost 44 billion euros coming here most of it spent with 86 00:55:29,248 --> 00:55:35,763 Polish companies. Poland knows what it means to stand on Europe's front line. 87 00:55:35,856 --> 00:55:39,608 Whether it is the illegal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine or the 88 00:55:39,672 --> 00:55:45,076 instrumentalization of migration at your border with Belarus drones over your 89 00:55:45,146 --> 00:55:52,562 territory or sabotage on railway lines you have met all of it with determination and 90 00:55:52,656 --> 00:55:59,329 clarity of purpose. These threats are designed to test our resolve divide our 91 00:55:59,436 --> 00:56:07,474 societies and undermine our democracies. And across our union all of us now face 92 00:56:07,577 --> 00:56:13,228 them. When Poland's security is tested Europe's security is tested. 93 00:56:13,296 --> 00:56:24,352 And we must and we will stand together to face it down shoulder to shoulder. 94 00:56:24,636 --> 00:56:28,223 So long live our parliaments. Long live Poland. 95 00:56:28,296 --> 00:56:30,036 Long live Europe. Dziękuję bardzo. 96 00:56:42,396 --> 00:56:49,716 If that is 12 people, the European Union looks like we are far from. 97 00:56:49,836 --> 00:56:53,490 But it is not the bleakness and suffering of those years that. 98 00:56:53,556 --> 00:56:56,556 That in many respects is also the story of. 99 00:58:06,216 --> 00:58:08,874 I greatly respect the European Parliament. 100 00:58:08,934 --> 00:58:14,997 I am extremely grateful to it for, in times that were exceptionally difficult for 101 00:58:15,089 --> 00:58:19,835 me, honouring me with the Andrei Sakharov Prize. 102 00:58:19,975 --> 00:58:28,778 The Jan Karski Eagle Award for the European Parliament is awarded for representative 103 00:58:28,928 --> 00:58:35,223 unification of Europe and shaping the European reality in the name of a common, 104 00:58:35,290 --> 00:58:36,490 better future. 105 00:59:05,136 --> 00:59:10,894 It is such an honor to accept the Jan Karski Eagle Award on behalf of the European 106 00:59:10,959 --> 00:59:16,874 Parliament. I am humbled to be part of such a prestigious list of laureates. 107 00:59:16,956 --> 00:59:23,024 On behalf of all my colleagues in the European Parliament, dziękuję bardzo. 108 00:59:23,256 --> 00:59:33,848 Few countries have done so much to build Europe as Poland and her brave sons and 109 00:59:34,001 --> 00:59:41,052 daughters. Europe will never forget their sacrifices, and it is fitting that we 110 00:59:41,134 --> 00:59:46,766 celebrate European democracy here, in this beautiful city. 111 00:59:46,956 --> 00:59:52,545 We will live up to the responsibility that you bestow on us today. 112 00:59:52,716 --> 00:59:56,220 As Professor Karski taught us, witnessing is not enough. 113 00:59:56,316 --> 01:00:05,667 We must stand up for what is right. We made that same promise to you, dear Andrzej. 114 01:00:05,856 --> 01:00:12,991 For five long years, you were imprisoned for speaking out against oppression. 115 01:00:13,116 --> 01:00:18,958 Last year, our house awarded you the Sacharov Prize for freedom of thought, while 116 01:00:19,061 --> 01:00:27,018 you were still behind bars. This year, all of Europe rejoiced when you crossed the 117 01:00:27,096 --> 01:00:32,583 Polish border into freedom. And it was such a privilege to welcome you to our 118 01:00:32,658 --> 01:00:39,983 parliament as a free man, shortly afterwards, you remind us that not even prison 119 01:00:40,096 --> 01:00:47,001 walls can silence the truth. Your courage carries forward Jan Karski's legacy and 120 01:00:47,082 --> 01:00:51,636 challenges us to keep standing up for our democratic future. 121 01:01:11,196 --> 01:01:19,193 My friend Waldemar Piasecki. Białacki, like the President of Ukraine, I invite Mr 122 01:01:19,255 --> 01:01:22,116 Andrzej Seweryn, honorary member of the society. 123 01:01:22,296 --> 01:01:26,196 It is a mission that I know Jan Karski would be proud of. 124 01:01:26,736 --> 01:01:30,515 It deserves all the nations and citizens of Europe. 125 01:01:30,607 --> 01:01:37,206 It is a great pleasure for me to thank Madam President for the introduction to the 126 01:01:37,260 --> 01:01:43,039 next volume of Waldemar’s book in Warsaw, and we plan to promote it on 28 November 127 01:01:43,097 --> 01:01:48,121 in the concert hall. In light of the war raging beyond Europe’s eastern border and 128 01:01:48,190 --> 01:01:52,716 the escalating international tensions, peace cannot be treated as a given. 129 01:01:54,696 --> 01:01:55,896 You.