Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the plenary session in Strasbourg with a tribute to Giorgio NAPOLITANO, former President of the Italian Republic, which is followed by a minute of silence. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

minute of silence

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

NAPOLITANO, Giorgio (PSE, IT)

president's agenda

Resumption of session and order of business: tribute to Giorgio NAPOLITANO, former President of the Italian Republic by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and minute of silence

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Dear colleagues, it is my very sad duty to inform you of the passing of the President Emeritus of the Italian Republic, President Giorgio Napolitano. This sad event happened on the 22nd of September. He was for so many years in the forefront of political life in Italy. Giorgio Napolitano was also a fervent supporter of a strong Italy in Europe, and he was, of course, an Honourable Member of this Parliament and Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, He was the first President of the Italian Republic to be elected for two consecutive for two mandates, and he first took office as President in 2006. In his first speak speech, he referred to the founding values views of the Republic, the rejection, repudiation of war and shared international responsibilities to defend and achieve peace. This is a message which resounds ever more strongly today in our minds.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, He was a man with great political passion who used this to serve the Italian and European people, always aware of his duty and always deploying his extensive courage in the interests of the citizens of Italy and Europe. I would like to extend our condolences to his family and ask you to rise to for one moments a minute's silence in his memory. Thank you.

Minute of silence in gratitude to President Emeritus of the Italian Republic, President Giorgio Napolitano