European Parliament President David Sassoli opened the European Council in Brussels on theh 17 of october 2019. This is the first time he has attended the Council in his role as President of the European Parliament.
Brexit
The agreement reached with the government of the United Kingdom is welcome. The European Parliament will examine closely the terms and substance of the agreement to verify that it is consistent with the interests of the European Union and its citizens. Parliament will continue to act with the sense of responsibility that we have shown to date.
Future of Europe
Citizens issued a call for a new Europe, which is more attentive to their needs, greener, more resolute in safeguarding the rule of law, more protective of social rights, and more effective and transparent in its decision-making.”
Hearings
The hearings of the Commissioners-designate are still under way and the vote on the new Commission headed by President Von der Leyen is due to take place in November.
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
A budget that is consistent with EU values is needed. A new budget protection mechanism that would penalise those who disregard the rule of law without affecting payments to final beneficiaries or recipients should be introduced.
Climate change
Member States should increase their contributions to the Green Climate Fund and support the establishment of a European Climate Bank.
Enlargement
Support the immediate opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.
Turkey
The European Union is not funding the Turkish authorities, but contributing directly to assisting and improving refugee living conditions through the work of UN agencies and humanitarian organisations. Human beings in need must never be used as a bargaining chip to justify violations of international law.
Migration
The European Union has a duty to guarantee the protection of people who are entitled to it, including setting up a voluntary system of genuine humanitarian corridors. With the help of the relevant humanitarian agencies, such corridors would enable those in need to make the journey to Europe without having to entrust their lives to human traffickers.
More information
The full text of the speech is available here.
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