Brussels - Strasbourg: Europe and the Arabs
Europe is not lost yet as long as we are alive. These are the words quoted from the Polish national anthem. They reflect the mood prevailing throughout Europe, a mood of uncertainty and loss.
Today we are talking about a certain spiritual crisis. This is what Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a statement to the European Parliament in Strasbourg about the Polish Presidency’s programme, adding:

All of us here in Parliament, or at least those of you who are interested in the detailed programme of work for Poland’s Presidency, understand what important tasks are for us now. You must have realised that security is of paramount importance now. Our motto is a secure Europe.

We want to try to give an answer to this global hesitation. What is our future? The future of Europe, the Member States, the entire civilisation, and political civilisation. We are dealing with a hot conflict on our borders.

We are forced to deal with technological progress, which is sometimes uncontrollable. All this leads to a feeling of loss and uncertainty on the part of a large number of our citizens. We are talking about a crisis of negative emotions and a spiritual downfall.

But objectively, Europe should not be afraid. There is no reason for that. The most important words that should be said today in Parliament are words addressed to Europeans.

Heads up, Europeans, Europe was Great, still great and will remain great. Europe was great and will remain great forever.
It is not just about political slogans. How often do we forget that Europe is a country of almost 450 million people, 27 proud member states, which over the years have managed to reconcile their common positions, sometimes in very difficult processes and sometimes under difficult circumstances. The financial crisis, the terrorism crisis, the migration crisis, the pandemic, the war on the eastern border.
We have to look at it carefully and take into account how determined the member states and the European institutions are to deal with these challenges. So there is absolutely no reason for Europe to conclude today that we are in any kind of impasse. Yes, some things have changed.
Some things have increased this sense of uncertainty. But let me use my experience here in this Parliament, many years of experience. I spoke here during the first Polish presidency, and also when I was President of the European Council.
So I remember very well those crises that we have had in the past. And I remember very well how we have managed to deal with all those challenges. In the Parliament we have left-wing and right-wing movements, more extreme movements and less extreme movements.

We have a huge political position in the European Parliament. In our national parliaments we quarrel and quarrel, here too. But in general, as Europeans, we have been able, and continue to be able, to find this common ground, this common feeling, time and again.
Some elements of this political community are being questioned. But it is this sense of community that has brought us together here in this chamber, all of us, regardless of the parties you represent. So let’s call things by their names.
Some people think that there has been a political change in the United States, which has led to some doubts in Europe. Some words have been said, some political statements have been made.

But that is no reason or justification for any spiritual downfall. Yes, it is true that what is happening around us in Europe and beyond poses a new set of challenges for us, for Europe. But Europe was created specifically to meet such challenges.

We listened with great attention to President Trump’s inaugural address. Leaders of other countries speak with great pride about their successes and achievements. We have the right to speak with the same pride about our past and present greatness.

We have the right to speak with great confidence about our future. But we must open our eyes beyond being surprised by what has happened and what has changed. Security is of great importance to us, and it is a priority for our presidency.

Security is of great importance in the daily lives of all Europeans. Let me tell you this: if we think that a change of presidency or administration in the United States is a leap into the unknown, remember that Europe has never been afraid to leap into the unknown. I listen to other world leaders who remember their moments of greatness.

Let me tell you this: we must also remember the moments of glory and greatness here in Europe. Europe was home to the greatest explorers, inventors and strategists. We have never been afraid of the unknown, we have never been afraid of leaps of faith.
What is happening now is not a threat to Europe, but a great opportunity for us. We are competitive, not only in economics, but also in politics. In the past, we were brave, we were not afraid of anything, whether it was Alexander the Great, Columbus, the Vikings, the discoverer of America, all this is our history, and this is Europe.

The time of conflict is over. Today, the new President of the United States says that Europe needs to share our responsibilities, to bear our share of the responsibility for our security. .

This is not what the opponents of Europe might say. In terms of security cooperation between Europe, the United States, Canada and NATO as a whole, we still have to not only speak with one voice, but also take concrete action. Now it is up to us to act.

When I listen to what is being said on the other side of the Atlantic, we should not be alarmed, we should not be alarmed. We remember what Kennedy said in the past. What America can do for Europe and its security.

Ask yourselves what we can do for our security.

I think the European Union, its member states, will be the most valuable ally. And for Washington too, if we take control of security, if we stand on our feet, if we open our minds and eyes, when we see where the enemy is, where the danger lies, where the emissions lie, where our weaknesses are, as some say. I cannot say that this is weakness, because as I said, we can be a power equal to the greatest power.
We have the same share of the world GDP as the United States. And when we talk about the threat that Russia poses today, I must tell you that when I hear some statements, I feel sad that some people in Europe suffer from a complex of fear of the demographic or economic potential of Russia. We need to believe again in our strength.
The potential is real. We are strong, we compete with the greatest powers in the world. The only thing we have to do is believe in it, and the facts are on our side.
When we talk about external security, the priority of European security consists of seven elements. And this is what we designed for the Polish presidency, external security. Some people think that this is wasteful, or that it is a cruel or malicious warning when we say that we should spend up to 5% of GDP on our security.

I would like to tell you that Europe cannot afford to skimp on security. I speak as the Prime Minister of a country that already spends close to 5% of its spending on its security. And we spend 5% of our spending not only on our security, but on the security of the whole of Europe, because Poland is the one that shares a long border with Russia and Belarus, and a friendly border with Ukraine, but a rather warlike border at the moment.

I would like to stress clearly that I know that the Polish presidency will not be the force that will decide this, but this is a warm invitation to everyone to stop thinking in a routine way. If Europe is to survive, it needs to arm itself. This is not our choice.

I am not a supporter of militarism. Poland is the only place in the world where no one wants to see a repeat of any war. We have suffered a lot.

We have suffered more than anyone else in Europe. Perhaps this is why we are well aware that to avoid a return to history we need to arm ourselves, to be strong, to be determined. This also applies to our military capabilities.

So do not underestimate the call to spend 5%. Let us be flexible in our thinking. Let us be creative.

Today we need to radically increase our defense spending. Not forever, not until the end of time, but if we want to spend more time as national member states, as the United States and NATO do, we do it today. Maybe.
And I am absolutely convinced when I say this as the Prime Minister of Poland, as a historian and as a European. We do not want to spend too much money on security, on armaments, on defense in the future. We need to invest more today.
And that is why we need to think about it seriously. What depends on it is not only the future of Ukraine and the region, but the future of Europe as a whole and the world as we know it today. It depends on our ability to defend ourselves, regardless of who wants to help us and who wants to play against us.

And now, internal security. I remember that from this podium, as President of the European Council, I warned you against naively dealing with the threat posed by illegal immigration. And part of the audience was angry, and sometimes they laughed, when they said, contrary to what some say, that Europe should be a continent without borders, open to any newcomers, legal or illegal.

And then at that moment I said that this is our responsibility. The greatest responsibility of any authority is to ensure the security of borders and territory. And if democracy is to survive, if the European values ​​that I will talk about in a moment are to survive, this cannot happen so that people associate democracy with impotence, with lack of power.

These are the classic tasks of every authority, to defend its borders and to defend its territory. Do you know why we talk so much about the crisis of confidence in traditional politics in Europe? Do you know why the political lunatics are so loud? They say that European democracy is useless. This is because we are unable to defend our European borders and our European territory.

That is true. Many bad things have happened. There has been a great deal of impotence and incompetence in dealing with measures or the lack thereof on the part of democratic governments.

I would like to tell you that you are able to address the problem of illegal immigration and the problems of internal security in Europe without using nationalist or xenophobic slogans. I would like us to achieve in this area, as we have achieved in the area of ​​external security, traditional democracy based on traditional democratic values ​​such as individual freedoms, respect for the rights of minorities, freedom of expression, the rule of law, a public life free of corruption, and politics free of the power of oligarchs. And I would like everyone who embraces these values ​​to show their strength and authority when we need to defend our borders and our security.

Democracy needs to become strong again. The European Union needs to become synonymous with strength, power, morality and laws, but also with power. In the world of politics, if you do not have power, you deserve contempt.
We cannot be helpless in the face of lies and disinformation, especially now that lies and disinformation have become a tool, a weapon in the hands of those who attacked Ukraine and who pose a threat to the entire European Union. Out of respect for freedom of expression, we need to be very firm on this. We need to find ways to make interference in our elections and our democracies impossible, 

Especially from the Russian disinformation and lies factories.

In this area of ​​information, we cannot forget to protect our children and grandchildren from violence, from lies, from contempt for others. This is a matter that requires very deep thinking. I know that it is a very difficult task.

We cannot fall into the trap of censorship, but we cannot be helpless in the face of aggressors who use information as a weapon, just as they use migrants on the Polish border as a weapon against European democracy. Security in the economy, competition, the free market, these are European ideas.

We invented this as Europe. Later, these ideas reached America, but we must remember that they are European ideas. And I can understand why Europe has not been able to return to the most creative and innovative economy.

This is also the task that falls on the European Parliament. Well, I do not want to speak for you, but it seems to me that you as a parliament need to face a big challenge, regardless of your political ideas and our political routine. And I know very well that the Polish presidency, the parliament, and we are bound by treaties.
We need to regulate. Our job is to regulate. Formally, the job of the European Parliament is to pass laws.

I know that change will require a great deal of courage and effort. These are my appeals. Make this effort to liberalize the economy.

Let us be courageous and move away from routine. The Polish presidency, which is the institution, should not just read the Draghi report and other words of warning. We need to get ready and start working.

So we need to change the status quo. We need to propose a major campaign to deregulate Europe. The stakes are very high.

Our competitiveness is at stake. And of course, this competitiveness will also depend on energy security. It is good to talk about energy security all the time, but words are not enough.

Energy security has many dimensions. I remember in this room, trying to sound the alarm and say that we should not depend on Russia. Well, I can probably say now that I was right at the time, but frankly, I am not satisfied, I do not feel victorious about this.
But let us learn this lesson from the past, regardless of our political ideas. Our sovereignty and independence depend on our energy security and energy autonomy. We should not fool ourselves.
After the war, and even after the war is over, it will not be possible to return to the status quo. We cannot make Europe dependent on Russian supplies again. This dependence must end forever because it was one of the causes of the war.
Let us speak clearly about energy security. Let me say a few more words on this topic.
This may not be popular, it will not be very popular here among some of you, but energy security is about specific tasks. It is unacceptable that energy in Europe is the most expensive. And if it cannot be the cheapest, then it should at least be at about the same level as in other countries.
We have had many reports on this topic, many councils, many discussions, but now it is time to act. Let us be honest, some of the regulations that the European Union has unfortunately led to a situation where energy prices have become very high. This is unacceptable.
We all want to compete with the US or China, but our energy prices are three times higher. How can we be competitive in such a situation? I don’t think anyone here would question that we need to protect the environment, that we need to protect our climate. We are well aware of the potentially catastrophic consequences of not taking action, but there is a “but”.
We cannot afford not to be competitive. We do not want to be naive, because if we go bankrupt as Europe, who will protect the environment instead of us? Who will do this? Let us think and review all the laws, including those under the Green Deal. We must identify the problems, but we must also have the courage to change those rules that could lead to excessive and exaggerated energy prices.
That is true. The same applies to emissions trading systems. High energy prices could bring down many democratic governments.
The issue is very serious. Let us be aware of this. Whether you are from the left, the center or the right, you must be aware of this.
Our citizens want a safe natural environment. They care about nature, but they don’t want energy prices to be high, because that directly affects our citizens. Let’s be brave.

We need to think deeply about whether we can introduce ETS2 quickly. I would like to warn you against this. I have had some experience in this area.

You can believe me. The political impact of this crisis is very predictable. The political impact will be very bad and catastrophic if energy prices continue to rise.

So let’s stick together. Food security is another dimension of security. The last few years have shown very clearly what this looks like.

Agriculture is a treasure for Poland and Europe. We need to be vigilant. We need to be responsible.

Food security in Europe is not just about self-sufficiency for Europe, it goes far beyond that. Our agricultural model is the best in the world, but we need it to be sustainable.

The Commission responded very quickly, which I appreciate very much. I was among those who urged the committee to move quickly and ease the burden on our farmers.

Instead of sanctions, we want to incentivize pro-environmental actions that will be effective if people agree to them, if people support these changes. The EU institutions must have positive relations with agricultural policy and energy policy. If people think that the EU equates burden, obligations and bureaucracy, we will lose the army of people we need to protect our environment.
So common sense is essential. Everyone has their own ideas. Some of you are very extreme, very ideological.
But believe me, millions of Europeans don’t care much about ideologies and deep thinking. What they want is common sense, courage, bold thinking, thinking outside the box, common sense. Let me repeat this again, because this is priceless.
Health security. Well, I think the facts speak for themselves, the pandemic. But we also have other diseases and pandemics.
Mental health. Mental health in relation to young people. We need to take action.
And we also need to protect our children and young people from the harmful effects of what is happening on the internet. We should not ignore this, we have some scientific records that prove what happens to the brains of children and adolescents when they are exposed to certain content on the Internet, and to the malicious communications that unfortunately are everywhere on the Internet. Our future is at stake.

Our future depends on the mental health of today’s five- to ten-year-olds. Let’s protect our children. They are our treasure.

Let’s believe in ourselves again. We need a new self-confidence. We want to cooperate.

We need to rebuild this society and believe in it. The final word is: a secure and stable Europe.

Perhaps it is not time yet to talk about a new European army. If we had an army today, the main discussion would be about the leader, who is the commander-in-chief, and where the army should be sent. And if Budapest were to decide, the decision would probably be different than if Warsaw were to decide.

So let’s not kid ourselves. Let’s be practical. We can all agree on one thing.
European money and European efforts must translate into secure external borders in the EU. As Poland, we hold the presidency of the EU today. But regardless of this, I would like to appeal to you to consider this Polish-Finnish-Lithuanian project known as Eastern Shield.

We want to protect our borders from aggression. We want to protect our infrastructure. We want to use tried and tested methods that were also used in the context of the war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine.

We want to protect our borders. And I think we can all contribute to this. We need to defend the skies of Europe from missiles.

There are many joint projects that do not require a revolution. All it takes is determination, courage and common sense. Some member states do not want to spend more on defense.

They do not want new bonds, Eurobonds. They do not want to enter into debt contracts. And I will be frank with you.

It is not important how we intend to finance defense projects across Europe. There is something more important, and we must say it loudly.

There is no alternative, no choice. We need to be able to defend ourselves, and that means that European money must be spent on this.
It is not just about the 5% of GDP needed during a war. We also need more investment in defence as a European Union. Let us talk about technology in the European Parliament and in national parliaments, about financial technologies, about financial methods.
We can talk about methodology. We can talk about how to do it. But we definitely need to do it to protect our common region together.
These are the last words I would like to address to you. Thank you for bearing with me, Madam President. Our future lies in our minds and our hearts.
You have quoted the Polish Pope John Paul II, you have quoted his words about the future. But we remember some other famous words that the Pope said, words that inspired the Solidarity movement and the whole of Europe when communism was collapsing in Poland.
Do not be afraid, let us not be afraid, this inspired the Polish nation.
It has given us strength. It all depends on what happens in our hearts and heads. It is all up to us.
The future is in our hands, not in the hands of the Chinese or American people.
“My heart is white and red, like the Polish flag. I look forward to working with you together for the greatness of Europe. And it will always be great.