Live replay of the Debate on the Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 October 2018: Statements by Donald TUSK , President of the European Council and Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental RightS.  The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Brexit (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

TUSK, Donald (PL)

European Council meeting 17-18 October 2018 (T)

Debate on the Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 October 2018: Statements by Donald TUSK , President of the European Council and Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC (9:12 - 9:28)

SOUNDBITE (Original), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, I give the floor to Donald Tusk president of council.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, President Tajani, Members of the European Parliament. I will start my report from the European Council with Brexit. Last Wednesday evening the Leaderlisten to the prime minister May views on the negotiations. Afterwards, the EU 27 met in the article 50 format with our chief negotiator Michel Barnier To discuss the state of play.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, It was made clear by the UK that more time is needed to find a precise solution. Therefore there is no other way but to continue the talks. Leaders expresses a full trust and support for Michel Barnier. The prime minister May mention the idea of extending the transition period. Let me repeat that if the UK decided that such an extension would be helpful to reacha deal, I am sure that the leaders would be ready to consider it positively .

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, President Juncker also touched upon preparations for a no deal scenario. An outcome which we hope never to see. And of course I stand ready to convene a European Council if and when the union negotiator reports that decisive progress has been made. The Brexit talks continue with the aim of reaching a deal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, Turning to migration in the course of our regular discussions on Thursday morning we had an exchange on our migration policy in all its aspects the EU leaders want to strengthen external border control and deepen cooperation in third countries to stop illegal arrivals. The focus last week was also on increasing cooperation with countries in North Africa and a tougher approach to people smuggling networks.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, Leaders noted The union's achievement in stemming mass arrivals of irregular migrants over the past three years. Even if more remains to be done. We thanked the Austrian presidency for its efforts to reform the Common European Asylum System and agreed that work should continue as a few with a view to finding an agreement as soon as possible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, The European Council also adopted a number of decisions on internal security. Some of them should be seen in the context of increased concerns and risks of hybrid cyber as well as chemical biological radiological and nuclear threat.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, One element of particular interest the leaders called to create a capacity to respond to and deter cyber attacks through EU sanctions. Of course this is especially important in light of the European elections next year. And the active threat posed by malicious outside interference in our democracy. During the euro summit the Eurogroup chair Mario Santero gave an update on the final four minutes of work on the ESM reform and the banking union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, While the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi informed leaders on the economic outlook. The objective of the meeting was to keep up the pressure for concrete results in December. EU finance ministers should speed up their work. If we are to achieve our goal which is strengthening the ESM and the banking union further leaders also heard the short debate on external relations including on the fight against climate change ahead of cop 24 in Katowize.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, We adopted conclusions on taking cover relations with Africa to a new level an issue of great importance and in this context agreed to organise a summit with the League of Arab states on 24th and 25th of February next year. For many of the issues discussed at the European Council from migration to security as well as they need to scale up the union presence as a global actor in many fields.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, The EU's budget is. At the technical level there have been detailed discussions on the next multi-annual financial framework but in general terms we are far from reaching any sort of consensus. This is why I will propose a political discussion at the December European Council. I welcome the intention that the consolidated position of the European Parliament is to be known by then.

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, Let me close with a word on the shocking killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In Turkey earlier this month this was such a horrible crime that even the slightest trace of hypocrisy would bring shame on us. It is not my role to state who wants to protect whose interest here but I know one thing. The only European interest is to reveal all the details of this case regardless of who is behind it. Knowing your sensitivity and determination I believe that you will not allow for Europe that member states or the institutions to become involved in any ambiguous game. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Next speakers the first vice president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Good morning Mr. President honorable members. On behalf of Jean-Claude Juncker I will not go into great detail on the October European Council as President Tusk has already shared a full account of the results achieved. Allow me to touch very briefly on the negotiations with the United Kingdom. As was clear after the European Council. The bottom line is that we do not yet have the decisive of progress that we need. The goodwill and the determination to find the agreement as soon as possible are there.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,But it's also clear that we will not rush a deal through at the expense of our principles or our agreed commitments most notably on the Irish border quest. Will all of this in mind. We must now continue negotiating with patience calm and an open mind. The commission and chief negotiator should received the full backing of all leaders to do just that. It is time to deliver and we're getting on with the job.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,That is what we're focused on doing across all of the issues that matter the most for our future. As we discussed yesterday when we debated the commission's work programme and when we talk about our future we must first talk about Africa. A partnership With Africa has enormous potential for both sides. It must be fair and balanced helping both partners to grow. This is why the commission last month proposed a new Africa Europe alliance for sustainable investment and jobs, to strengthen the economic partnership with our African friends.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,This is about concrete action taking forward commitments made together with the African Union over the past years notably in Abidjan. With your support and that of the member states, the alliance will help attract investment in Africa. It is expected to create 10 million jobs over the next five years and support youth employment employability through education and training.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, External investment plan as well in motion to serve the ambitious objective of jobs and growth creation is well advanced in order to mobilise over 44 billion euros in both public and private investment. The Projects already in the pipeline will unlock 24 billion. The potential is there, the framework is there. Now it's time to deliver results. So get it done in time.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Ladies and gentlemen we're not going to be held to account by the Europeans by the figures on the page or words on a page but by actions and so looking at what the Commission has presented to you I'd encourage you to implement it as quickly as possible. Above all when it's looking at the central issues of our future the Economic and Monetary Union migration security we have to deepen our economic and monetary union so that we are resilient for any changes in the world economy.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, The success of the euro will be dependent on each member state doing its own homework just as the commission has done its homework. Of the 40 proposals that we have put forward to strengthen the economic and monetary union only six have been adopted. That must change by the time of the euro summit in December as was agreed in June.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, We want to complete the banking union and that means above all that the single stability mechanism needs to be strengthened. And the backstop needs to be put in place. Taking over that role also we have to make sure that our timetable will move towards completing the deposit guarantee scheme on all of these issues as with deepening the capital markets union. There is no time to lose.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, That's equally valid for the proposals that we have put forward on migration. We have to look at comprehensive European solutions which will be future proofed. The commission has already put forward a number of proposals amongst other on extending the European Border and Coast Guard to have fair and effective return and to reform the Dublin system.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, This is a question of European solidarity and responsibility that in all of these issues we make progress. That is what Europeans expect of us as well and I hope to enjoy your support. Members of the European Parliament in the future as well so that by the time of the elections we have produced tangible results in the realm of security. That's a similar case.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, The commission has put forward a number of legislative proposals already but only a handful of those have been adopted. Maybe I can recall that we have a desire to make sure that we can ensure the safety and security of our citizens. We need to make sure that everything on the table is put into into effect. For example the proposals on interoperability when it comes to cyber security that is valid but also the issues dealing with terrorism disinformation which threatens our democratic process.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, We have to make sure that there are fair free elections which are democratic and maybe I can add that I am very pleased that the council has decided that by the end of this year our proposal will be adopted to put in place a new system to deal with natural disasters the resk EU. We cannot accept that. Economies are destroyed and landscapes are destroyed because we do not act in time with full solidarity and conviction. There were other summits as well that we had last week for example the Europe Asia Summit.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, This served to reconfirm our common views on multilateralism and an international order are the rules based nature that sort of commitment comes from a group where countries in Europe and Asia constitute 60 percent of the world population and 65 percent of the GDP in the world. We signed up to new bilateral agreements for example with Singapore. This agreement will tighten the links between us and Singapore and will open up new horizons for workers producers farmers and consumers in the EU.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,  And this means we can push on with other similar approaches with other countries around the world. We've picked up the challenge that has been thrown down at global level and we underscore that with global dialogue so investment. The investment agreements now being passed onto the European Parliament so that this trade agreement can come into force following ratification by the parliament. But the commission has also started the procedure to conclude trade and investment agreements between the EU and Vietnam and a number of other agreements are also in the pipeline being negotiated.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,  All of these agreements go beyond the classic breaking down of customs barriers and really manifest intention to work against climate change in December and it say in Poland. We have to take on board the urgent message that we've seen and to implement Paris at Katowize. The Commission will put forward its vision and strategy for the long term.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,  The IPCC has really called a spade a spade. They've told us what we need to do. We don't have time to think over the next decades. We have to act now. We have to work to save our planet to save our civilisation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, At the start of last week, Jean-Claude Juncker was also involved in the tripartite Social Summit our commission has put these social issues at the heart of our action because for too long the social dimension has been the poor relation of the European construct and maybe I can remind you that from the very outset of our mandate 30 or so legislative proposals have been put forward in the social sphere and almost half of those still remain to be adopted.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights,  So we are counting on the Austrian presidency so that by the end of the year we will be able to have concluded on all of these issues. December will be a decisive month for social Europe. We're very pleased that during this council meeting no state said that we would not be able to reach a principle agreement on the future budget before May 2019. This is an objective that this House has already said is very important.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, We're very pleased about that because it will help social Europe and we'll go hand in hand with increasing the budget of the social fund of more than 100 billion euros to support the principles of the European social pillar and the action plans there where the member states really hold the cards in their hands.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, It's really comes down to our credibility all of that for all of us. Students, consumers, citizens, to listen to them listen to what they have by way of expectations to come up with specific solutions and offer them better prospects for the future. Thank you. President.