David SASSOLI, EP President, speaks to the press in the European Pariament in Brussels following the Video conference of the members of the European Council

Brussels

Brexit (T)

press conference

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

DUCH GUILLOT, Jaume (ES)

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

negotiations on future EU-UK relations (T)

economic situation in Europe (T)

European Council meeting 19 June 2020 (T)

Press conference on the European Council: statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/6105535/I192069Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (Original), Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, Good morning, everybody, to the journalists who are in the room and the journalists who are following this press conference on Skype. Thank you very much for your time, for your attention. The president has just attended the European Council, as usual, and I'll pass the floor immediately to him for him to comment on that meeting.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, Yes. Thank you. And good morning, everybody. I hope everybody is well and your families to thank you for attending.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, I've just taken part in the council meeting, as is normally the case when it's opened to pass on the message of the European Parliament on two important points of the work being done by the European Council, the recovery fund and the MFF. The Commission's proposal as well as Brexit.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, On the recovery plan, Parliament's message is very clear. It's a very good starting point. That was presented by President VON DER LEYEN in the parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, And we hope that council appreciates it and will start negotiations.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, We see that as a starting point. There's no way that we can move backwards. We've said that on many occasions. Now, I hope that here as well parliament's voice will be taken seriously.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, Because what we want is a effort and recovery plan that manage to act as the petrol in an engine that will start moving again, building on the achievements of this legislature. And the commission's proposal is a good starting point.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, I would like to recall to everybody that the discussion on the recovery fund and on the MFF.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, I'm not going to ending council there, proposals that will have to come to the parliament and the parliament does not intend to step back from the few prerogatives it has as the budgetary authority in parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, There's a very widespread feeling that the recovery plan in this initial phase should be used to get the economy of all countries started again so that nobody remains behind.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, That the economic power of our market needs to be stepped up.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, Obiously, we don't want that to happen to the detriment of multiannual budget, which has to look over the next seven years. So the two instruments need Democratic scrutiny.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, We're very much aware of that and obviously here in particular, as has always been the case. We will ensure Parliament's voice is heard. I heard that.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, I hope that the heads of state and government appreciates the commission's proposal, too.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, And we'll start negotiations because on the MFF, for example, what we want is to inject more ambition into it.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, There's no point talking about young people if we introduce cuts to Erasmus plus. And that would be unacceptable for us.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, And the same goes for talking about a green economy, if cuts are introduced to everything, which will help our economies to adapt to standards, which should gradually allow Europe to take a leadership role in combating climate change, which is our goal, that by 2050 we have zero emissions.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, Over the last few weeks in parliament with the political groups, we have been looking at the commission's proposal and in the MFF, it's vital for us. That they own resources of the European Union be increased.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, This is a red line for us. It's not something we can give up on. And not only do we want to have a clear idea of the taxes that will be transferred to the union, but we also want to know what the timeframe is for introducing these taxes.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, We are ready for these negotiations. We have a very broad consensus in the parliament. And I think the members have already expressed their views on this extremely clearly on the subject of Brexit.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, What we want and we've said over the last few days as well, at the high level meetings with Prime Minister Johnson, what we want to do is to try to do everything to reach an agreement.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, There is still time but our responsibility is also to prepare for no deal, because if there isn't an agreement, we will be ready.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, And I think that this message not only reflects the position of the parliament, but the other European institutions as well. Europe is very united in its dialogue with the U.K.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, A,d obviously, we have to ensure that our markets strength and the interests of our citizens are protected. That is the message that I passed on to the heads of state and government this morning.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, We're used to sending out messages that are very clear that a very transparent. And I think that. Over the last year, people have got used to the idea that it is a good idea.