President Metsola arrives at the European Council where she addresses Heads of State or Government. She delivers a a statement to the press.

statement

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

president's agenda

European Council meeting 24-25 March 2022

European Council (24-25 March): arrival and doorstep by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, If there was something that Putin underestimated is our common resolve, the fact that we can be as united as we have never been. And the message today has to continue to be that. After that, we need to think about what we do as a union, as the next steps.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, First of all, we need to address the largest humanitarian crises we have had since the Second World War. We need to rethink our migration and asylum strategies. We need to start to think properly in terms of our green transition that it's not only about climate ambitions, but also about a security policy. And we also need to think in terms of rule of law and justice. That's what the Ukrainian citizens want, and that is why we should offer them, a home that they always feel in Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I think the primary aim and the ultimate aim has to be that we no longer remain dependent on Russia for gas. That has to be the position. It will take time, of course, with some realities and member states to wean some countries off faster than others. But, at the end of the day, we need to have a policy where we buy our gas or are dependent on gas from our friends and not from our foes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, My message will be tonight that we welcome, as I have done already, the application of Ukraine and Georgia and Moldova. We also cannot forget our Western Balkan countries and our partners that have been on the track of making sure they can be part of the European family. For us, this is the message of inclusivity. We want people to look to Europe if they share our common values, our common principles, our democracy and our rule of law. And that's the strongest message we can send as a union. And I will insist on it tonight.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, For us, this is a sign that our sanctions and decisions are working. It must be a decision this evening that the unity of all member states with the United States cannot be broken. This is the important thing we can do, then we must review our politics as we are facing one of the greatest humanitarian crisis after the First World War. We need to look at the green transition as not only climate ambitions but also as a security thing. This is our moment, our strategic autonomy must be with our own security and defence union, and we can give protection to those who are fighting for European values such as the courageous Ukrainians.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The most important thing is that, if a country wants to become a member of our family, it is our responsibility to give these people protection. The European Parliament has been very clear from the very first day that we support, we welcome, the application of Ucraine to be a candidate. At the same time, we give the message as a symbol of courage to our Ukrainian compatriots who are fighting this war. We must also send the message to those countries, for example the Western Balkans, that are doing the application. We must also see that these countries are heading in the right direction, because for us, when someone looks at Europe, they look at Europe for democracy, for the rule of law, and for the values that we have. We cannot fail to accept this desire to be part of our family.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, For us, as Europe, we must look at whether we have made mistakes in the past,we did not believe our allies when they told us that they have a problem with Putin. We are too dependent on Russia for our energy, we have to do something, and this is a state of alarm that we need to take as a lesson.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, For us, the most important is unity. Putin underestimated our resolve that one month ago today we would still be as united as we were with an ever increasing number of sanctions in terms of amount, in terms of enforcement, in terms of strength. The next steps would have to be that we need to revise how we are going to work in this situation where we have the largest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War. We also need to win all the countries of complete dependence on Russian gas.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, At the same time, we need to explain to our citizens and that is requested from our governments, from the member state governments of the European Union that our citizens are being faced with exploding prices. What are we going to do in terms of economic uncertainty, in terms of the need for us to also send the strongest of messages, not only to the member states, but also to the countries in the region, like Moldova, for example, that is carrying the heaviest of burdens on responsibility in terms of humanitarian influx.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I don't think we have a choice, we need to have that unity, that is not put into any question. My request to political leaders tonight would be precisely that because we know that any indecision or any differences would be exploited by Putin and his allies for us. We have to look in the immediate and in the short and but also in the medium and longer term.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We have climate ambitions, we have security goals, we have defence ambitions that we need to be able to address with legislation, with political messaging and with symbols of hope and assistance. And I think if we manage to do that tonight, then those gaps and any divisions will not be exploited.