Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister, debates the future of Europe with MEPs in Brussels. This is the thirteenth in a series of future of Europe debates between EU heads of state or governments and MEPs. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Jeppe KOFOD (S&D, DK), Anders Primdahl VISTISEN (ECR, DK), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

Brussels

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

KOFOD, Jeppe (S&D, DK)

future of the European Union (T)

VISTISEN, Anders (ID, DK)

EU - Denmark (T)

RASMUSSEN, Lars Løkke (DK)

Future of Europe: extracts from the MEPs debate with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/19675643/I164197Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), On the Russian thing I want to underline that when Russia is still provoking Europe and European partners and friends then I think you also have to rethink the investments on Nord Stream II. I think we shouldn't be more dependent on the Russian gas than we are already now. And it should be a European decision making process and maybe talk about Nord Stream II.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), When we want to discuss the Europe of the future, we have to defend Europe. That's why the Schengen question. the border protection issue in my home region between Germany and Austria and also in the Danish German region is another thing which is good for the future. And that's why lets invest in the frontex. Let us protect the Bulgarian, the Greek border towards Turkey, that would be much more efficient and would also bring the same effect. Another element is to continue to convince. You had all the decisions about Europol in your country where people didn't trust in cooperation on data exchange. To strengthen the data exchange, for more security, for the fight against organised crime, on European level. 

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Jeppe KOFOD (S&amp;D, DK), <p>It is important to say that there is dissatisfaction amongst citizens. That means there are failed policies. We see globalisation over the recent decades, which has been positive but also negative. We have lost control and citizens are asking us to take back control in a democratic way. So liberal democrats have praised globalisation. They have closed their eyes on those who are paying the price in terms of social dumping and wage dumping.  </p>  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Anders Primdahl VISTISEN (ECR, DK), If we hadn't become a member of the EU, perhaps we should ask about the defence of that which the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister said we should be done away with. It's not the first, second or the third time that you're asking about a referendum on the opt out even though it's been confirmed. What I am worried about is what is the logic of this on the defence of the opt out. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, The Future of the European Union is not the image that centralistic nightmare that Mr. Vistisen is telling us. I am very much pleased by what you have told us today that is that also Denmark is of the opinion that the worst thing to do today is to throw away the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, Now in the Eurobarometer of today, the Danish people are in favour of the EU. The like the European project, but they are still critical towards the the European project. I don't think that every Danish citizen finds that everything goes well. Certainly not Mr.VISTISEN, but in anyway they are saying we are no so stupid to outside of EU. Let's reform the EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, For me the European army is the European pillar of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and is absolutely not an opposition that we have to stop the waste of money on defence in Europe. We are spending 40% of the American army and are capable to do 10% of the operations of the American army. We are spending three times more than the Russians on military in Europe. Three times more. But I am not sure Prime Minister if the Russians come this side of our borders, we are capable to stop them without American help. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, We have not a single market for the services of the future. We don't have telecom, we don't have digital. we don't have the capital market and that can only be realised only when we have a single regulator in Europe. At a time we had one standard for mobiles. You remember that GSM standard, European standard. We got champions in Europe. We have Nokia, we got Ericcson and this time we don't have European standards and from 200 biggest companies there are only 8 Europeans.

SOUNDBITE (English), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Your country and that is a bit surprising, ranks 5th in terms of carbon footprints by household. And that is expected if you don't change political course. Actually to increase the non renewable part of your energy mix and thereby increase your CO2 emissions, rather than reducing them. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Under your party's leadership, Denmark is now joining hands with those who want to make Europe a fortress. Slamming its doors shut to those in need. When you speak about tackling the root causes of migration. you are only focussing on the smugglers. Not only is your country reducing its development budget because you claim and rightfully so 0.7% of GDP but it used to be 1% of GDP and it is now increasingly using this development budget to force beneficiary countries to lock their borders and take back migrants who might have escaped. 