Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, gives an introductory remark during plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

minute of silence

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

BERGKVIST, Erik (S&D, SE)

president's agenda

Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President tribute to Erik BERGKVIST, MEP (1/05/64 - 20/02/2024) and minute of silence

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75034949/1708967054661_I253657Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Now for a sad announcement. Dear colleagues, I regret to inform you that on the 20th of February our friend and our colleague Erik BERGKVIST sadly passed away. Erik will be remembered for his thirst for knowledge, his intellectual curiosity and profound sense of humanity. He was a man of steadfast integrity and was never one to shy away from believing and defending what he knew to be right.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In this house, Erik's commitment to our shared values marked him out. His work in helping cut down emissions and meeting our climate ambitions will serve as inspiration for legislators to come. Erik's spirit will live on the lives that he touched and in the legacy that he leaves behind. Our thoughts are with his family, the Swedish delegation and the S&D Group in this House. May they find solace and peace as they navigate through this difficult time. Before I ask you to observe a moment of silence in honour of Erik BERGKVIST for its memory, I will give the floor to Heléne FRITZON.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heléne FRITZON (S&D, SE), 'Thank you. Dear President and dear colleagues. We miss Erik. He was a member of the Swedish delegation, and Erik was well-known both as a politician and as a researcher. We will miss his guidance, his wisedom, and his genuine commitment for Europe during this difficult time.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heléne FRITZON (S&D, SE), Let us honour Erik's memory by continuing the work he has done for the European growth, for the industry, for the Green Deal, for regional development. And remember his last efforts, which was sustainable aviation fuel, and now, as you mentioned, dear President. Now we keep Erik's family and loved ones in our thoughts. Thank you.