Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the plenary session on the 12th September in Strasbourg. Statements on the 70th Anniversary of the European Parliament and on Fires and floods of last summer, and Call to release Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader. This transcript is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President: 70th Anniversary of the European Parliament and Fires and floods of last summer, and call to release Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader

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SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I have also been informed that Alexey Navalny situation has been deteriorating dramatically and he has been put now in isolation, which will impact further his health conditions. So we once again call for his immediate release. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This week, 70 years ago, on the 10th of september 1952 in Strasbourg, Paul-Henri Spaak presided over the opening of the first ever session of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community. It was the starting point of the Parliament in which we meet today. In 70 years, the Assembly has grown from strength to strength, from being a consultative body with limited powers. It became a true institution embracing European democracy and the expression of European public opinion.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In 1962, it changed name and became the European Parliament, a further step towards becoming the only directly elected, multi-lingual, multiparty transnational parliament in the world. Over time, consecutive treaties allowed this House with its three places of work in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg to develop into a powerful, independent political forum with core legislative and budgetary powers that impact millions of European citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And with an ongoing illegal war in Ukraine that destroys, kills and undermines the political will of a people. We know today more than ever the importance of upholding the democratic voice of citizens under democratic European values that this House stands for. And that is why from this month until next summer, 2023, a number of commemorative events will be held at the European Parliament to mark its 70th anniversary.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And to start this weekend the Parliament will be opening its doors to start the 2022 campaign with an open library with some readings. Through books, art and European culture, they comprise part of European culture.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Through the coming months. And in particular, an official acknowledgement of the 70 year milestone for European democracy will take place during the November 2022 plenary session of our Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And to close this opening statements, I also wanted to give you a little bit of of information that works have taken place over the summer to make our house truly accessible for everybody. So there has been a ramp that is installed for everybody who cannot walk to the lectern to be able to use the lectern. And I think that was finally the time that we give this for our colleagues.

Opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President: 70th Anniversary of the European Parliament and Fires and floods of last summer, and call to release Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader

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Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament