Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 15 December 2021 - Strasbourg

The proposed Council decision on provisional emergency measures for the external border with Belarus based on article 78(3) TFEU (continuation of debate)

  Márton Gyöngyösi (NI). – Madam President, it appears that the EU learned from the mistakes of the previous migration crisis, which not only had a disastrous direct impact on Europe but also boosted the illiberal regime of Viktor Orbán in Hungary. Just another disease that seems to be contagious.

He used this opportunity to undermine the last vestiges of democracy and rule of law, just the same way as Lukashenko uses migration today to divert attention from a stolen election, the plight of political prisoners, Tikhanovskaya’s sham trial and the freedom struggle of an entire nation. Strengthening and protecting our borders against illegal migration and defending our values simultaneously: this is our task – and, of course, never giving in to the blackmail of authoritarian regimes, either within or outside the EU.