Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU Parliament President Metsola restated Parliament’s unwavering backing for Ukraine and called for a coordinated European policy to ensure the integrity of Schengen.
President Roberta Metsola stated that it had been almost 1,000 days of aggression in Ukraine and emphasized the necessity of continuing support for Ukraine while reinforcing efforts for peace. She described the desired peace as one rooted in freedom, anchored in dignity, and built on justice, asserting that it should not be a capitulation and must protect shared values; anything less, she argued, would not constitute real peace.
What role will the EU Parliament play in Ukraine’s future?
Regarding Ukraine’s future and the need to end the conflict, she asserted that only a strong, sovereign Ukraine could achieve this. She reiterated the European Parliament’s firm conviction that there should be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Additionally, she mentioned that the European Parliament would be taking a final vote in plenary next week to support Ukraine with an exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance loan of up to 35 billion Euros, expressing pride in the political and technical work accomplished in this regard.
How will the Migration and Asylum Pact be implemented?
Concerning migration, she conveyed that the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, adopted earlier this year after a decade of political deadlock, offers a pathway forward. However, she cautioned that it would not be effective if the EU undermined its achievements in times of pressure. She emphasized the importance of scaling up efforts to swiftly implement the Pact.
She described the agreed-upon framework as one that protects borders while being fair to those eligible for protection, firm with those not eligible who must be returned safely and swiftly, and particularly tough on trafficking networks, including malign states like Russia and Belarus, which exploit vulnerabilities and weaponize migration.
What challenges do hybrid threats from Russia pose?
She noted that the nature of the hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus requires innovative thinking. It is essential to respond to those who seek to misuse the systems designed for humanity’s betterment, undermining the very values they are intended to uphold. She affirmed that responses could be crafted within the parameters of European values and legal frameworks.
Ultimately, she highlighted that cooperation is key and that a real solution must be a European one—broad, holistic, and sustainable—because only a coordinated approach can ensure the integrity of the Schengen area.
