The European Ambassadors gather in Brussels to discuss the EU's internal and external action, its global role and the challenges it is facing. Opening keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

keynote speech

president's agenda

EU Ambassadors' Conference 2022: keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Introduction to the keynote speech by Pietro DUCCI, Director General for the External Policies of the European Union

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I don't want to fall into the trap of an hyperbole but I do not want to understate just how serious the situation is, we are facing challenges on multiple fronts, the war on our continent, disinformation and propaganda campaign that uses tools that we created against us, political instability in different key regions of the world, and rising inflation and dwindling energy supplies that are causing turmoil.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Some of the threats that we face are existential, which is why our response to Russia's illegal, brutal and unjustified invasion of sovereign Ukraine must be steadfast. It must be strong, and it must be unshakeable. And any sign of disunity amongst us will be exploited immediately.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The geopolitical sands shifted long before the 24th of February, but perhaps we looked away from those signs for a little bit too long. Perhaps we were comforted by the idea that we could lull Russia into economic and energy ties that would ensure peace. Our hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it is not real. The only thing we can do is learn the lessons and ensure that we never repeat them.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This invasion is not only about territory, nor is it only about Russia and Ukraine. This is about two very different ways of life about whether multiracialism, multilateralism can still respond to the threats of unilateral aggression, about whether our way of liberal democracy is resilient enough to withstand the pressure of large armies about whether open markets and social safety nets are here to stay, about whether our commitments to equality and the rule of law remains even when under attack. and about whether a rules based order can push back against the concept of might is right.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Thank you dear ambassadors for being here during your lunch hour. Dear friends, welcome to the European Parliament at what is a critical moment for our European project; so you must forgive me if my language is a little bit diplomatic today as we have used to, but perhaps it is a sign of the times.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, It is about fundamentally different ways that are now in confrontation with each other. And my answer, our stand is an emphatic defence of our European way always because democracy is not weakness. Rights and liberties are goals, not obstacles. Now Europe must adapt to this new world, and together we must face a world that is changing, that is different, and that pushes Europe to change with it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Putin thought he could break us, but instead he strengthened our resolve. The illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory territories after a series of sham referenda and the latest in discriminate shelling of Kiev and other Ukrainian cities are just two of the last moves, hoping that we blink first, we can't There escalation must be met with our willingness to go further to help more Ukrainians need to be able to defend themselves.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And thus, by extension, and in this new, more dangerous phase of war, they need the heavy armour and defend systems that will allow them to survive the onslaught. Because only if Ukraine is able to defend itself will we ever be able to be in a position to push for peace. And when we talk about peace, it is a real peace and not one forced through blackmail. And in Europe, we have long learnt and understood that appeasement did not work. It does not work and will never work.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So our with our push for peace, there must also be a push for justice, a push for accountability for the numerous documented war crimes committed on European soil since the beginning of Russia's aggression, the European Union has approved an unprecedented seven point two billion euros in financial aid to Ukraine and adopted aid packages of far reaching sanctions to impede the financing of Putin's war machine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We have provided 2.5 billion euros in support of Ukrainian armed forces and critical military support will continue to be given. And I am proud that the European Parliament has been at the forefront of efforts, even practically speaking, by opening its premises to the Ukrainian solidarity hub, many of whom some of your colleagues have visited.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And also we have sent truckloads of eye-teeth equipment and protective gear to the There of Narada. But perhaps our most significant decision has been to grant Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status. The status in the case of Ukraine and Moldova gives Ukrainian people a clear European perspective and a path for development, even if we know that it will take time and that it will not be easy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This European Parliament is currently working with the Verhoef Narada to adopt legislation that is needed in order to bring the lawmakers in a position to vote on the AKWE that we require of them. We have also from this very room on the First of March, reached out to 160 parliaments to rally them towards Ukraine's course.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This network continues to facilitate President Zolensky ability to address parliaments around the world so that he can give a first hand account of the situation on the ground. This will continue to prove crucial to ensure that war fatigue does not set in. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe has done a lot, but there is no time for complacency.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We will be called upon to do yet more. And this means working closely with our like minded partners, strengthening already existing links and partnerships and where possible, and pursuing new alliances. We have to work together. We need to pool our resources and work towards common objectives and Here.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I'm talking about all EU institutions and member states as one single team Europe. Of course, we all have different assets and ways to achieve our objectives, which are common, but we must keep pulling the same rope. The Parliament is not only about adopting legislation or financial package of eight members of the European Parliament reflect the debates in member states and each and every single member helps to bring the message of Europe home. This is critical and we have seen this more than ever since the 24th of February.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This house also remains in continuous dialogue with office holders and parliamentarians across the globe. Our committees send members to high level multilateral meetings and organise the matter Commission key Third countries. We work on a daily basis to consolidate our partnerships, build alliances and keep dialogues of communications open across the world through targeted programmes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In fact, for Parliament, our aim is to continue supporting democracies and democratic political cultures and societies in our neighbourhoods and beyond, because multilateralism is the only sustainable way to safeguard peace across the world. Today you will discuss how to improve our cooperation so that we can effectively respond to current challenges and improve the resilience of democracies worldwide.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And it is clear that EU delegations, representations and missions have a crucial role to play here. Many of you work in environments marked by propaganda and disinformation campaigns which pose additional challenges. A battle of narrative rages on all continents where our intentions are often misrepresented and our role is challenged.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We need to join efforts and amplify our message to our respective networks, both at bilateral and multilateral level. We need to get better at highlighting the European Union's engagement and investment to the benefit of all citizens across the globe. We also need to do more to counter malign actors that seek to undermine our joint EU action by pitting us against each other.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And here, let me thank you for your unwavering commitment to our union's values. and for the support that you give to this House and its members. The impressive work that you do on the ground truly warrants special recognition. Finally, today, more than ever, we need to work together in a concerted manner not to duplicate our efforts, but rather to reinforce our common message.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And I hope that today's session will give you concrete insights into our global engagement. Help open new avenues for our cooperation, and give us a renewed impetus that we need in these extraordinarily challenging times. Thank you.