Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the plenary session on the 21st November in Strasbourg. The President gives her opening remarks after the rise of missiles from Russian army attacks to Ukrainian cities, that caused an explosion in the Polish village of Przewodów, causing 2 deaths among civilians. She also gives remarks on the Turkish army attacks in Northern Syria.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Türkiye (T)

troubles in Ukraine (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Poland (T)

president's agenda

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the current situation in Turkey, Ukraine and Poland

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Dear colleagues, the Turkish air strikes we are seeing in northern Syria and Iran after the bomb attack in Istanbul are claiming more lives and causing more bloodshed. Let me hear from here, call on the Turkish authorities to exercise restraint and respect for international law and standards.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Also, last week's explosions and casualties in Poland is proof that we must not let down our guard. Russia's continued illegal invasion of Ukraine continues to cause innocent lives to be lost. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the victims, their loved ones, the people of Poland and all the victims of Russian attacks in Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, This week we also mark the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, the Great Famine of 1932 and 1933, when millions of people in Ukraine were starved into intentionally by the Soviet regime. 90 years later, Ukrainians have to fight again to preserve their lives, identity and freedom. We will not forget the fate that Stalin had in store for Ukrainians during Holodomor. Nor will we forget Russian crimes committed in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izyum and in so many other places in Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, And then last announcement, dear colleagues, the attack on two police officers in Brussels last week, killing one, wounding the other, reminds us of the risks our police forces face daily. We must remain vigilant to threats to our internal security, and the European Parliament works so closely with the Belgian police that it is difficult for this not to feel personal to all of us. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.