Strasbourg - Czech President Petr Pavel visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg today. After a meeting with the President of this institution, Roberta Metsolaová, he said that in the context of the upcoming European elections he wants to actively fight against disinformation. He also gave a speech outlining his vision of Europe, met with Czech MEPs and held talks at the Council of Europe.
Strasbourg - Czech President Petr Pavel visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg today. After a meeting with the President of this institution, Roberta Metsolaová, he said that in the context of the upcoming European elections he wants to actively fight against disinformation. He also gave a speech outlining his vision of Europe, met with Czech MEPs and held talks at the Council of Europe.
After his meeting with Metsola, Pavel warned that the 2024 European elections could be marred by populism and "false narratives". These must be actively countered, he said. "If we are not active in this area, people will be confused, they will be exploited by irresponsible politicians," he told reporters.
He also said that supporting Ukraine is in Europe's interest and will increase its security. He also said that it was necessary to explain to citizens the importance of democratic values and membership of the European Union for their daily lives.
Metsola said she had spoken with Pavel about aid to Ukraine, the European elections and the need to confront populism and fight disinformation. She also said that she had discussed speaking in the European Parliament with Pavel almost immediately after his election as president in January.
In his speech to MEPs, Pavel said the European elections will be an opportunity and a challenge for democracies. He stressed that the key to peace and prosperity in Europe is its unity and diversity. At the same time, he strongly condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, highlighted European aid to Kiev and appealed to politicians to communicate with citizens and not to give room for misinformation. In his speech, he repeatedly referred to one of his predecessors, Václav Havel.
Today, Pavel had breakfast with Czech MEPs, with whom he discussed the main legislative tasks remaining for the European Parliament in its outgoing term.
The President said he had also discussed the so-called Istanbul Convention on Combating Violence against Women and the lawsuit filed by Liechtenstein against the Czech Republic. He reiterated his support for the Czech side to consider ways to resolve the property dispute between the two countries out of court.
In Strasbourg, Pavel also met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burič. According to the President, they discussed, among other things, the register of damages caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ways of increasing the resilience of democracies and the fight against disinformation, which, according to Pavel, does not receive the attention it deserves.
Pavel said the random checks at the border with Slovakia, announced by the Czech government, as well as by Poland and Austria, were "natural" and "in the interest of citizens" given the increase in illegal migration. He reminded that these controls are temporary.
Pavel arrived in Strasbourg on Tuesday evening from Bruges, Belgium, where he spoke at the opening of the academic year at the College of Europe.
Paul: Unity and diversity are the key to prosperity and peace in Europe
The key to prosperity and peace in Europe is its unity and diversity, Paul stressed today in a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He said next year's European elections will be both an opportunity and a challenge for European democracies. At the same time, the President strongly condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, praised European aid to Kiev and called on politicians to communicate with citizens and not to give room for misinformation. In his speech, Pavel repeatedly referred to his predecessor Václav Havel, who would have celebrated his birthday on 5 October. The speech, which was met with a standing ovation, was delivered in English, but he also spoke in Czech and French at the beginning.
"Europe's strength lies in our unity and diversity. This is the key to peace and prosperity," he said. "Next year's election campaign will test our democracy. I hope that it will serve as an opportunity to show that the European democratic spirit is truly alive," the Czech president stressed, adding that politicians should not offer populist promises but tell it like it is. He referred to his successful presidential campaign. The President also described Europe as a "never-ending task". He said the Czech Republic "understands that being part of Europe goes hand in hand with responsibility".
According to Pavel, citizens' trust is constantly undermined by misinformation, but the rule of law cannot be replaced by "the law of the stronger". If this were to happen, the head of state said, it would have immeasurable consequences for the whole of Europe. The main question, according to the President, is how to preserve openness while strengthening the resilience of European democracies.
"23 years ago, one of my predecessors and a true European and world citizen, Václav Havel, spoke in this very building about the need for constant reflection and critical examination of European values, ideals and principles. The urgency of this task has not changed since then," said Pavel.
He noted that the EU is sometimes described as slow and inefficient, although it has repeatedly shown itself capable of responding to challenges and finding compromises together. According to the President, this has been demonstrated not only during the covid-19 disease pandemic, but also, for example, in the area of energy security and assistance to Ukraine.
Pavel described Europe's failure as its inability to recognize the evil intentions of Moscow in Ukraine in time. He quoted Havel, who in 2000 said on the floor of the European Parliament that evil must be confronted in its infancy. He reiterated that Russian aggression is a violation of international norms and must not go unpunished. Kiev, he said, should be given all the help it can get, because 'Ukraine's security is our security' and our freedom is at stake. He also pointed out that the Czech Republic has taken in more Ukrainian refugees per capita than any other country.
Pavel rejected calls for concessions to Russia in order to achieve peace in Ukraine. "Peace can never be achieved on the terms of the aggressor. If an aggressor succeeds once, it will try to succeed again and further," he said. "I sincerely hope that peace will return to Ukraine. And I hope it will happen soon. But hope is not a strategy," he said.
According to Pavel, the debates on the future of the EU and on its enlargement are interconnected and should run in parallel. "Enlargement should be perceived as an opportunity to re-set the European idea. It should be seen as an opportunity to create a more effective Union," the president said.
He also advocated maintaining strong transatlantic ties and creating a "global alliance" of democracies. Europe, he said, should establish "pragmatic and mutually beneficial" partnerships with countries already facing high levels of political, economic and climate challenges. Otherwise, it leaves space open for its strategic rivals.
EP President Roberta Metsola presented Pavel as a strong voice of the Czech Republic in Europe and the world and noted that he played a leading role in condemning the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine. She also highlighted the Czech EU Presidency last year and noted that the Czech Republic is well aware of the threat posed by Russia.
CTK/VoJ
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