Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe group in the Parliament, holds a press conference in the European Parliament in Strasbourg to present the priorities of the group for the plenary session. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strasbourg

press conference

SÉJOURNÉ, Stéphane (Renew, FR)

Renew Europe

Press briefing by Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe and Martin HOJSÍK (Renew, SK)

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/72438456/1696324006852_I247024Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

(SOUNDBITE, FRENCH), St&eacute;phane S&Eacute;JOURN&Eacute; (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe, But before that, I'd like to come back to two subjects that I think are important during this plenary. The Visa scandal in Poland, at our request we're having a debate in order to throw light on the matter. Schengen visa should never be up for sale. Visa frauds on a major scale that are occurring in Poland is unworthy of a member of the Schengen space. And once again I think we're seeing the direct consequences of the sort of piece this structure.

(SOUNDBITE, FRENCH), Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe, I think we're worried about what's happening because it could have dramatic consequences, in particular concerning that borders neighbouring countries, countries neighbouring on Poland in particular, which is why we wanted to have a debate on the subject and call for some explanation and have the little groups of people in Parliament speaking out on the subject. I think ultimately it's the Poles who will be picking up the tab, as you know, in the days to come.

(SOUNDBITE, FRENCH), Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe, There are elections, some two weeks time, so a possibility of reaction, possibly change with a view to putting an end to corruption. At least that's what we are hopefully hoping for. And hopefully the government will come to being that is prepared to fight fraud.

(SOUNDBITE, FRENCH), Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe, Secondly, the resolution on Armenia: as I say, for another initiative and the proposal made by Natalie Loiseau, a member of our group in Parliament, and is about to adopt a very firm resolution, a motion condemning the attack carried out by Azerbaijan. I'd like to hear support for the Armenian people and this resolution. That's very firm. I say we're calling for targeted sanctions, an increase in financial humanitarian aid for Armenia about a peace facility, and also he suspension and re-examination of all relations between the EU, including all of our commercial ties, as well as visa agreements with that country.

(SOUNDBITE, FRENCH), Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe, I think would use sovereignty has to be guaranteed. Europe has a role to play. I think Europe has been far too discreet, far too discreet in past months, and my group has been warning about the situation for some time on the occasion of the meeting of heads of state and government to be held shortly.

(SOUNDBITE, FRENCH), Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Chair of Renew Europe, We hope that Europe will clearly state its position in support of Armenia Media Freedom Act. As I say, let my colleague take the lead on that. And before questions, perhaps I could straightaway give the floor to Martin.

(SOUNDBITE, ENGLISH), Martin HOJSÍK (Renew, SK) , Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Now, when i came here I actually saw lots of coverage about Slovak elections on international media. Doesn't usually happen, but I have a good news. The pro-Democratic pro-European pro-Ukrainian parties have won in Slovakia. Not Orban, not Putin.

(SOUNDBITE, ENGLISH), Martin HOJSÍK (Renew, SK) , Now, you might see it differently because of the victory of Robert Fico and his party. But the look at the whole picture, this is not the whole picture because two out of seven parties, only two out of seven in the Slovak parliament are on the dark side. So to say, yes, Fico has won and has two weeks to form the government. But as the Timotyh Snyder said, what gets lost in the headlines is that progressive Slovakia is an authentic new political force backed by younger voters, adding some life to the future of democracy.

(SOUNDBITE, ENGLISH), Martin HOJSÍK (Renew, SK) , I am really, really honoured and grateful to every vote for progressive Slovakia who, from being outside of the parliament, gained the second highest support 18% of the vote, predominantly young people across the countries. And I think this is a really strong mandate for us to Renew Europe and I hope that we will be able to show it whether it's going to be in the government or in opposition.

(SOUNDBITE, ENGLISH), Martin HOJSÍK (Renew, SK) , And I'm saying the government because, yes, the situation is still unclear. Mr. Fico, yesterday receieved the power to form the government from the President. He has now two weeks to find potential coalition partners. He's in talks with another social Democratic Party, basically a splinter group from his own party, but not on the radical side. And SNS, which would here in this house, although they are not represented here, belong to the ID group.

(SOUNDBITE, ENGLISH), Martin HOJSÍK (Renew, SK) , Now we are ourselves in informal talks with other potential partners. It is now in the hands of Mr. Fico, but we will have to see if he will manage to form the government and hopefully any constellation that will come out of this will make sure that the Slovakia side and pro-Ukrainian side.

Q&A, On which would be the appropriate response from the S&D group in regards of Fico's position on Ukraine.

Q&amp;A, series of questions on the Media Freedom Act and how the Act is being received in France.

Q&amp;A, series of questions one on the current political situation in Slovakia and on the LGBT debate presented by the Renew Group, with particular attention given to recent developements in Italy. 

Q&amp;A, on the developing situation in Azerbajan 