Arrival of Martin SCHULZ, EP President, extracts from the press conference and statement during the European Council held in Brussels on 12/02/2015

Brussels

statement

press conference

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

meeting of the European Council

European Council meeting 12 February 2015 (T)

European Council: arrival of Martin SCHULZ, EP President, extracts from the press conference and statement

Arrival  at the Council of Martin SCHULZ, EP President

Round Table of Council. Martin SCHULZ  with Fran&ccedil;ois Hollande and Jean Claude JUNCKER and other EU Leaders (7 shots)

Press Conference by Martin SCHULZ, EP President &laquo; We have to be cautious. If there is a ceasefire however and if that is maintained that will be a huge step forward. What happens after that we&rsquo;ll see. But that has to be the first step. You can&rsquo;t have any kind of consultations unless you have that . So I don&rsquo;t think we should speculate what&rsquo;s going to happen beyond the ceasefire. But I do think that the ceasefire is a very good thing. And we all hope fervently that i twill be implemented.

&laquo; The problem is that information isn&rsquo;t shared enough between Member states. We think that improvements could be made. we know that those who carried the attack in Paris grew up in Europe and radicalization through the Internet and recruitment through the Internet is something that is happening and we have to be more vigilant in terms of prevention both at local and national level but we also have to exchange best practices among member states to see what others are doing and exchanging information is essential but in order to exchange information first we have to collect information which is why the EU PNR is so key.&rdquo;

&ldquo;The revision of the internal freedom of movement in the Schengen scheme is unthinkable for the European Parliament and an overwhelming majority of members of Parliament are against. Meanwhile increase and strengthen external border control is absolutely in our interest and here we must also find a link between Schengen and the Schengen reform. Deepening of external border control must be linked to a revision of the Schengen Information system.&rdquo;

&ldquo;I think it is fair to allow a new government to take office and to grow in their office I have said to the 28 leaders that they have something that I never managed which is to be a leader od a country, I had never wanted that. We know that when newly appointed leaders take up office they have to grow into that office . they have to develop and we have to let Greece do that . it is an act of fairness to allow the Greek government to properly take office and to give them a bit of breathing space.