Statements by Martin SCHULZ, EP President and François HOLLANDE, President of the French Republic on the current situation in the European Union, during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - France (T)

official visit

EU - Germany (T)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

HOLLANDE, François (FR)

relations between France and Germany (T)

Statement by François HOLLANDE, President of the French Republic : extracts from his statement on the current situation in the European Union

Arrival of French President Fran&ccedil;ois HOLLANDE and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in the hemicycle : 4 shots.

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, "Mister President of the French Republic, Federal Chancellor, since Helmut Kohl and Fran&ccedil;ois Mitterrand spoke to the European Parliament 26 years ago, you are the first heads of government from your country to address together our assembly here. Since then, we have learned one thing, which is that when franco-german cooperation is not up and running, then it's all Europe that suffers the consequences. Understanding but also contradictory ideas have given Europe its forwards movement. Differences of opinion help things moving forward. When France and Germany are able to conclude an agreement, although negotiation could be tough, usually the outcome is a good compromise, which gets the benefits from both sides and then propels them forward in the best interest of all the European partners and the Union as whole".

SOUNDBITE (French), Fran&#231;ois HOLLANDE, President of the French Republic , "The European institutions have set a global plan to support Italy and Greece which are on the frontline and can't be left alone in front of such responsibilities. A plan to help Balkan countries has been set too, to help them to face situations peculiarly tough to deal with. Finally the Institutions have engaged into a tighter cooperation with Turkey, and we are having at the moment discussions which demand clear rules to be set, since it's in Turkey that the refugees must be hosted as much as possible. But in return we must provide Turkey with the assistance if they are helping us, and ensure that these refugees, whether in the camps or among the population, should be able to find a job, feed their children and have a future. If we fail to do so, then they will come. Inexorably, they will come".

SOUNDBITE (French), Fran&#231;ois HOLLANDE, French president, "Alexis TSIPRAS, the Greek premier, has been brave. He wanted his population to be consulted after the European agreement. Respect for democracy, and I'm saying this in this House, the place of European democracy, respect for democracy is never opposed to the respect of the common rules. Responsibility, solidarity: again those same principles".

SOUNDBITE (French), Fran&#231;ois HOLLANDE, French president, "What is going on in Syria is of concern for Europe, since what is at stake over there will determine the balance of the entire region, all the Middle-East region. And if we let the religious fights, and notably, more and more often in the recent times, between Sunni and Chia, if we let these fights intensify, don't think that we will be protected: this will be an all-out war, which could well spread to our own territory. We therefore need actions. France shoulders its military responsibilities given in the face of those threats. All Europe must now do what it can in humanitarian, political and economic terms. Be sure that we can make a contribution to a political future, one which brings before the Syrian people something else than the alternative between Bashar Al-Assad and Daesh. This is our duty, it's incumbent to us, for the Syrians as well as in our own interest".

SOUNDBITE (French), Fran&#231;ois HOLLANDE, President of the French Republic, "I propose that the economic and monetary union and the eurozone should now be consolidated and beefed up as a basis for policies for convergence, fiscal modernisation, combatting tax and social dumping and doing more than what we are already doing with the Juncker plan: institutional rethinking will be required so that the eurozone may be governed, for the rules to be respected, for a solidarity that can benefit everyone. This choice will engage volunteer States, the European Parliament will use of its power of control and will warrant the cohesion of a Europe capable of progressing inside a differentiated integration process".

SOUNDBITE (French), Fran&#231;ois HOLLANDE, President of the French Republic, "We also need to reinforce the so-called Schengen area. Questioning freedom of movement for people and returning to internal borders would be a tragic error. (applause) However, any suggestion that Schengen in its current form will enable us to cope with pressures at the perimeter would be falling into error. Effective control of external frontiers involves enhanced cooperation with the frontline states".

SOUNDBITE (French), Fran&#231;ois HOLLANDE, President of the French Republic, "25 years on, we are looking towards a new round of unification, by means of projects, of people, of shared interests. And the question is: do we want to go back to the old system of the 20th century and its detritus? Or do we want to go towards a consistent approach for the coming century on the front foot? And I say yes to that, on my behalf and as a European, and it's for all of us, as far as we can, to look for the compromises at the highest possible level. That's the spirit of the cooperation which we have ended into between Angela Merkel and myself: France and Germany to be partners that can rise to the challenges at the start of this new millennium". (applause)