During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs and Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, debate on the future of Europe with Angela MERKEL, German Chancellor. She is the twelfth of EU heads of state or governments to debate on future of Europe with MEPs.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

speech

future of the European Union (T)

EU - Germany (T)

MERKEL, Angela (DE)

Future of Europe: extracts from the opening statement by Angela MERKEL, German Chancellor and Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/19670261/I163250Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Arrival Angela MERKEL, German Chancellor, in the Chamber together with Antonio TAJANI, EP President (3 shots).

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, It becomes ever more important that we stand side by side and thus the EU more than ever neds to respect both the interests of its own members and the others. We need to understand that tolerance is the soul of Europe that is is essential component of what makes us Europeans. And that only together with you can we develop to ensure that we also take account of the interests and needs of others as well as of our own.

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, Using solidarity for everybody means that we have to deal with our own interests with a view to others. We have to respect others. But this is not something that contradicts looking after our own interests. Quite to the contrary.

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, I have suggested that we establish a European security council with changing presidencies of the member states where decisions can be taken more rapidly.

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor,Acommon European army would show the world that they will never again be war in Europe. I'm not saying anything against NATO. Of course not. We can be a good supplement to NATO. (Applause mixed with boos.)

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, These I'm really pleased about this (makes gesture towards Chamber). This is great. I'm annoying some people. I'm in a Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, We need to develop our our monetary policy better, we're working on a banking union. Germany and France have already made statements on this. And I think that we need to link very closely to the midterm MFF (Multi Annual Finacial Framework) on this. We have to look at responsibility and control, a banking union. And then later a European insurance system. And this is something which is going to reduce the risks of national country governments. Because of course what we're looking at here is something which is two sides of the same coin.

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, And I think therefore we also need to develop a European a common European asylum policy if everybody takes their decisions individually then nobody can be surprised that people from a particular country know about a certain country immediately, and then we get a secondary migration. We have to make an effort to ensure that we have the same common playing field for the internal market even on issues such as the right to asylum and humanitarian responsibilities.

SOUNDBITE (German), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor,  Tolerance and solidarity represent our common future. ]And colleagues it is well well worth fighting for them. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, So all and all, Chancellor, dear Angela, I think the comments that you have made really go to the heart of what we need to do. Perhaps there could be a little bit more support for all the brave initiatives of the Commission on immigration, on Africa, on the Euro reforms. And if you do even more than you have until now, you will be even greater than you are and we would welcome that. 