EU leaders gather for a special meeting of the European Council on the 30th of May, in Brussels. Roberta METSOLA, EP President holds a Press conference. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

press conference

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

president's agenda

special meeting of the European Council 30-31 May 2022 (T)

Special Meeting of the European Council: Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Good evening. I have just finished quite a lengthy discussion with the leaders of the European Council. I'll use this opportunity to emphasise the three main points that I conveyed on behalf of the European Parliament to them ahead of their discussions tonight and tomorrow. First on sanctions and energy independence. I really hope that there will be an agreement. We cannot afford there not to be and our aim needs to remain to disentangle ourselves from Russian energy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, In essence, we should not be the ones to blink. However, and while I understand the realities facing different countries, there is equally a limit to how much flexibility we can allow without losing credibility vis a vis our populations and the rest of the world from within the EU and from outside the EU. Unity must remain our strength and blueprint in the coming weeks and months, and our goal remains zero dependence on Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, So those were the first few points I made. And I also said that so far public opinion has been with us and that is why it is ultra important that we remain resolute also when so-called CNN effect takes place, we cannot become complacent or give in to Russian propaganda. I spent some time also talking about EU candidate status for Ukraine, also in preparation for the next few weeks. While the Commission prepares its avis before the next European Council, question I asked on behalf of the Parliament is the choice we face is this: do we want Ukraine to look to Europe or do we want Ukraine and the rest of the world to doubt Europe's capacity to make the important decisions when we are asked to and when we have to lead?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, In my view, we have no choice but to bring Ukraine even more closer to us. And the worst signal we could give at this point in time would be to show hesitation. What Ukraine needs right now is hope and perspective and the European Parliament would be a partner to the other institutions, as we have affirmed time and time again. Not only in our resolutions, but also in the votes that have taken place, from a financial perspective, in order to make sure that the right assistance is given to Ukraine both within Ukraine and also with regard to those countries helping Ukraine with the humanitarian challenges that they face. Happy to answer any questions you have.

Q&A, I have a question on Ukraine's membership perspective. After having talks with the leaders, how do you see this process and how the European Parliament can enhance their application?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, So I made it clear also because when we see the wording of the Council conclusions, the draft that went through COREPER today, you have a commitment that this is going to be dealt with in the next European Council. And I wanted to make sure that there is zero ambiguity about the European Parliament's position, that it positively views the next step for Ukraine to become a candidate country of the European Union. This would allow not only for the political message to be sent, but also for the next steps that would further integrate Ukraine and Ukrainians and the possibility for them to access different programmes while we look at the rebuilding of Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, So that's the political position that is stronger, that stays, and that, I have no doubt will continue to have the strongest of support from the European Parliament. And this is precisely what I answered to quite a number of leaders when we discussed the sort of new idea of parliament and diplomacy that what we are talking about now, after President Zelenski address the European Parliament and after my invitation for 160 parliaments around the world to discuss with the national parliaments on how different parliaments, different countries can help Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, This means that while we have at the same time a classic war that is being fought with the invasion of Russia into Ukraine, at the same time, you have parliaments that are pushing the leaders and the heads of state of government to take the decisions that they have taken with unprecedented unity, if I may say so. So we very much look forward to the adoption of the sixth package of sanctions. Would we have liked it to go further? Of course. Do we still want to go further? Of course. And we will continue to make this point even while we see, not only the indirect, but also the direct implications of what Russia is doing, especially with a food shortage and the problems of supply routes, for example, to African countries of the fertiliser, but also the the grains and sewers that they so desperately need.

Q&A, Given the I mean, the impasse we are experiencing this day in these hours, I mean, President and Prime Minister Orban said that we are far away from an agreement. Do you agree with some German politician and members of the government that we risk to see the unity of Europe to unravel?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Sanctions packages are never easy to adopt, especially when we are in the fourth month of a war where one country, one autocratic regime has invaded another and broken all the rules. And on this, it is clear that it has been clear from the very beginning that different countries have different realities. Their dependence on Russia differs from a geographical perspective, historical perspective, political perspective. But I think we all, or at least most of all, Putin, underestimated the unity with which the European Union could act. I think we can look back at the last two years, both during the pandemic, but in a post-pandemic scenario where governments have themselves that say contributed to more Europe rather than less. So I continue to be optimistic.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, You know, I always say politics is the art of the possible. And I will definitely not give Putin even 1/2 of thinking that the fragility that is being reported would go away from the unity that we have found. The atmosphere in the room is very good. And let's just say I. I hope that what has been a very difficult few weeks when they reach an agreement that can be one that is effective, that has beef, that has teeth, and that we can go to the next step. But one thing is clear that this war is not going to end anytime soon. And we need to be resolute in our responses, in our unity, and in the way we do politics, because we are democracies at work with that.

Q&amp;A, I would like to ask two questions. One concerns the fact that in the end, the conclusions apparently cross on that does not want a cease fire. Don't you think like Italian or other countries, that they should be able at least. demand for having a cease fire, trying to have a cease fire or we think it's too risky at this moment. And the second question concerns the price cap on energy, the gaz, etc., thus also demand from Italy. And that is a quite a rigid position from many countries, in particular northern countries, Germany and France. Do you think and I don't know if in the Parliament this has been discussed, but it is a part of conditions and also the social consequences of high energy prices. Is there a position from the Parliament or do the Parliament the plan to have a position on this because this is something that should be discussed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, On the word ceasefire. This is first of all, I would say it's the meaning of the word. Right. And what we mean by ceasefire, which means that we declare peace at the cost of Ukraine and its territory, then I don't think that's going to be something that we as European Union should accept. This is not, when we're talking about peace without liberty and justice, then it's not peace at any cost.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, And for us, first of all, for the European Parliament, but also the discussion very much circulated around this today, is that we need to make sure that Ukraine is, let's say, at the table and not anyone else who decides that the war is over or that Russia or otherwise has to save face. I said this last week, I think we should not risk talking about appeasement or saving face. I think it's about making sure that when there is a country that has invaded in our continent, then that country is helped, should have been helped earlier, quicker, in order to defend the very values that we all share in the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, On the price gap, again, this is, you know, different, let's say, viewpoints. Last week, this was very much discussed between the leaders and also in Davos, when when we are going to talk about, let's say, a common purchasing power, right? Where are we going to pull our resources? Are we going to use unspent funds? Are we going to find new funds? Are we going to move funds away from what we would have spent, for example, on our ODA as member states? That is a question that is being asked, not only in the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Yes, in your in answer to your question. It is being discussed in the different committees, but also in the national parliaments, because while at the same time we are taking very difficult decisions that have a cost, is that cost, can that cost and how will that cost be cushioned from being shouldered by the citizens and the consumers? And consumers are asking us, rightly so, where is this going to end?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, But make no mistake, this is our job as European Union, as leaders, but also as different economies in order to make sure that the flexibility, and here we welcome the decision that was taken to extend the exception clause until the end of 2023, but at the same time, we need to balance that with making sure we don't have debts that for many generations to come they would have to pay.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, So it's a very delicate balance. The European Parliament is very much working intensively on the for 55 Fit package because even there, there can be savings made that could be used in order for us to uncouple our dependence from Russia, in order for us to be not to be blackmailed. So the next few weeks and months are going to be very difficult. But let's not allow ourselves to be at the mercy of any division that Putin will seek to take advantage of. And that is where these next few hours and days are crucial in the language we use, but also the solutions that we find.

Q&A, I have a question on Prime Minister Draghi peace plan, how you would assess it. Don't you think it's a good basis to build on?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Now, I think if we see what the French leaders have said and how, I mean, we have seen wonderful efforts both on a bilateral level, but also on a local level, especially, I must say, between Italian mayors and the different towns in Ukraine that have been twinned for years, in terms of rebuilding of Ukraine and also making sure that the next step if once Ukraine is more integrated with the EU, how can those projects that we have be available to Ukrainians, both inside Ukraine and outside? We're at the moment, what we are looking for from on behalf of the European Parliament, is making sure first of all, that we are coordinated in what we say and what we do. And, of course, we want the war to stop as soon as possible. And that means that all efforts should be made. But as I said before, not without Ukraine at the table.

Q&amp;A, I would like to go back to your optimism and the excellent atmosphere that you found at the board meeting. When they arrived, people were all waiting for a voice from Mr. Orban and his opinion on the proposal that was made. And he said, curtly, it's not okay. It's not good. And he wanted guarantees. So how can you reconcile an excellent atmosphere with a leader who is in the process of blocking completely because the Commission has been unable to give him the guarantees? That was my first question. The second question: You are talking about the accession of Ukraine. What do you think of the proposals that are on the table? We are talking about a European political community, a European geopolitical community. In fact, we are talking about an antechamber in which we will put potential candidates, those who did not want to stay in the EU. A bit everyone. And then, if they are lucky in a day, in a year, saying let's get them in. Is Atlanticism a good solution? Thanks.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Thank you very much. On, on your first question and the guarantees. That's why I said and I wanted to emphasise the good atmosphere that was in the room between the leaders because there, as again, there are many countries that asked for their specificities to be recognised and understood and also allowed to be incorporated in the text of the conclusions without, let's say, them being blocked and with the wrong message being sent to Ukraine. And I think there we can find consensus on.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, There are limits, yes, to flexibility. And there are also, let's say, the European Parliament will not accept that political or individual, let's say, obstacles are made when there are no simply in order to break up that unity. So I continue with caution to believe that we can find with text that is balanced, that can cover all the member states, the possibility for the sanctions package to be adopted. That is not something that I got to when leaving that room, that would not be possible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, On your second question, you know, we can use a lot of titles, etc., but I went to Kiev on the 1st of April and I addressed the Verkhovna Rada and I met with President Zelensky and the discussion that we had is what does Europe want to do? Is Europe going to open the door for countries that are fighting for the very essence of what it stands for? We are fighting Europe's war. Are you ready to open your door to us? And I think since then, our, let's say duty has been not only to use political rhetoric, but to actually say, yes, we are ready to open that door.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, What do we mean by opening that door, that when Ukraine replies with the lightning speed to the questionnaire from the Commission, then we reply with efficiency back, and that is what we have on the table. We have been reassured as a parliament that that will happen and that's why we very much look forward to the next European Council when we talk about different programmes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, I said today during the Summit that, you know, a lot of us around the table were campaigning for our countries to join the European Union took a long time, many obstacles, many things to achieve, etc. But at the end of the day, we had one goal in order to be around the table because we shared the same values and principles. 97 per cent of Ukrainians say that they want to join the European Union and we have to respond to that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, And at the same time, we need to make sure that if there are countries that have asked, and I specifically also referred to Albania, North Macedonia, inside the room, that we do not look away just like we cannot look away from Georgia and Moldova. Of course, every country has its own path. It would be different processes, but it would be a monumental failure for us. As a union that is not only about, let's say, economics or rhetoric, but it is also about democracy and can be a global leader for democracy and security.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, That is a position I hold not because I am President of the European Parliament, but as a committed European and as I want the European Union to be and to be perceived in the world. I think now's our moment and we would be failing if we didn't do that.