Speaker 1pl
Good morning, I welcome you all. The meeting of the Marshal of the Sejm with the President of the European Parliament has concluded. And I kindly request that the floor be given to the President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta Metsola.
Speaker 2en
Good morning. Dzień dobry. It is great to be here, in beautiful Warsaw, a city that embodies the determination and vibrant spirit of the Polish people. Let me start by saying that it is an honor to be invited to the same to address the members of this House by the Marshal. This is a truly historic chamber, one that has shaped Poland's remarkable democratic transformation and that today continues to play an essential role in our Union. So thank you, Marshal Czarczewski, for the invitation. I'm especially pleased to be here following yesterday's discussions in the Foreign Affairs Committee, marking an important step towards Poland's ratification of the decision enabling proxy voting for pregnant women and new mothers. In the European Parliament, Poland becomes the 10th country to complete the process, a sign of how rapidly ratification is progressing across Europe. Our message is that no woman should have to choose between fulfilling her democratic mandate and having a family. So this is truly a big and historic step. With the Marshal, we also discussed three other topics that are key for Europe. First, on security. We are seeing increasing hybrid threats here in Poland and across Europe. Poland has long been sounding the alarm about the threat from the East, and Europe has heeded the call. Across our Union, we are investing in defense and preparedness, and here I would like to thank Poland for its leadership on this, both in the EU and in NATO. In the European Parliament, we have delivered legislation to boost our capabilities, strengthen our defense industries, and facilitate cooperation across borders. And here I really thank Polish members of the European Parliament that have led these negotiations. Together, we have continued to provide crucial financial, military, and humanitarian support for Ukraine, and we must keep up the pressure on Russia. Second, on parliamentary cooperation. Delivering on people's expectations and strengthening our democracies is not the responsibility of any one institution.
It is, in fact, a shared effort. Through established formats, such as the Speakers' Conference, parliamentary hearings, and dialogues, our two parliaments work hand in hand to uphold our shared democratic values and I want to thank the Marshal and the members of this House for our excellent cooperation. Finally, on the next long-term budget. In the European Parliament, we are working to boost Europe's competitiveness, cutting red tape and simplifying laws. And our ambitions for Europe need a budget to match. People expect real results in agriculture, in jobs, energy, and security. That is why in the European Parliament we are pushing for cohesion to stay a distinct policy with its own dedicated budget. We're also working to increase funding to bolster our external borders and strengthen our eastern flank. What happens here in Poland matters in all of Europe. So Parliament is ready for constructive negotiations and new own resources are the missing element that can bridge everybody's position. In all, the challenges ahead. I know that Europe can count on Poland as a strong partner, and the European Parliament can count, continue to count on its strong relationship with the same under your leadership, dear Marshal. Thank you. Dziękuję.
Speaker 1pl
Thank you, Madam President. And I request that the Marshal of the Sejm be given the floor.
Speaker 3pl
Thank you very much indeed for your visit, Madam President. It is a great honour for us. I would like to say that you are coming to a country where the entire nation strongly supports the European Union. We are a responsible member of the European Union and we want the European Union to be strong. Given that we share a border with Ukraine, we must always pay attention to for Poland's security, ladies and gentlemen, today I have invited the President of the European Parliament to a meeting that will take place in May next year. This meeting will bring together all the heads of the parliaments of the European Union, NATO member states, Ukraine, Moldova, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Well, the United Kingdom is in NATO. This will be a major event and it will have great significance for the security of NATO's eastern flank and the European Union. I would also like to inform you that we have discussed matters related to the European Order of Merit. This is an important matter for Poles. Recently, this great distinction was awarded to President Lech Wałęsa and Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek. The Polish side has put forward the candidacy of Mr President Aleksander Kwaśniewski. We will strive to ensure that President Aleksander Kwaśniewski receives this order next year. Ladies and gentlemen, I would also like to say that we have discussed the enlargement of the European Union; our position is that we would first like to strengthen and, secondly, to enlarge the European Union. We are pleased that this now concerns one of the Balkan states. We have also discussed the accession of Ukraine to the European Union sooner or later, once all the conditions have been met and the interests of, among others, Poland and Ukraine have been safeguarded, as we know that Ukraine is a country that is currently at war, but we believe that there can be no secure Poland or secure European Union without a free and independent Ukraine, and this position is quite clear. I have also informed the President that with regard to the amendment of the European
on the matter of enabling Members of the European Parliament who are before or after childbirth to vote by proxy, yesterday the Foreign Affairs Committee gave a positive opinion on this, and today, after all formalities have been completed, the Sejm will present it for a decision and for acceptance by the President of the Republic. I think this is, as it were, a matter that is obvious to us. And the last issue we discussed is a very important one: the multiannual financial framework of the European Union. Of course, as is normal, we are advocating for Poland’s interests, because the European Union is a great matter for us. Just as, of course, our friendship with the United States is important, but we are here and now. Well, this is obvious to you, Madam President; we Poles primarily look after Poland’s interests, because we know that if Poland is strong, then the European Union will also be strong, and that is how we understand it. Once again, I would like to thank you warmly, Madam President, for coming. This is a great event for us, a great celebration, and a great pleasure. Please feel at home here, in the European Parliament, that is, feel good, knowing that you have great support here. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1pl
Thank you, Mr President. Unfortunately, we have to conclude our meeting as the Sejm session will begin shortly, during which the Speaker will also deliver a speech. So, thank you very much to you all, and I invite you to follow it.