During the plenary session (10-13/12/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Eurogroup results are discussed with the view to the next Euro summit. Statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Othmar KARAS (EPP, AT), Mercedes BRESSO (S&D, IT), Caroline NAGTEGAAL (ALDE, NL), Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS (GUE/NGL, EL) and Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

KARAS, Othmar (EPP, AT)

BRESSO, Mercedes (S&D, IT)

GIEGOLD, Sven (Greens/EFA, DE)

PAPADIMOULIS, Dimitrios (The Left, EL)

DOMBROVSKIS, Valdis (EPP, LV, EC)

NAGTEGAAL, Caroline (Renew, NL)

Results of the Eurogroup and preparation of the EURO Summit: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, EU Commissioner , We made progress on many issues discussed in particular as a terms of reference for the common backstop for a Single Resolution Fund and the reform of the European Stability Mechanism. As regards budgetary instruments for the euro area further guidance from the Euro Summit will be needed. The upcoming Euro summit. We must build a momentum as we urgently need to press ahead with ambitious reforms.

SOUNDBITE (German), Othmar KARAS (EPP, AT), I think we've made less progress than we should have. Also if you compare it to the position of commission and parliament we haven't come that far either. I'm afraid in terms of reaching that. That said on the 3rd of December there was a meeting of the Eurogroup and we take note of the fact that some progress was made for instance on further developing the backstop that is important. Of course this is intergovernmental. We would like it to be actually dealt with at community level.

SOUNDBITE (German), Othmar KARAS (EPP, AT), Also we want a strong Euro budget. We want it to be part of the new nine year financial framework. We want to more have more structural reforms and we want to reincorporate a political discussion on the whole issue of insurance for Europe. So you come to the conclusion Madam President, the member states are looking for a Capital Markets Union it's their target. The member states have also talked about a banking union and they've said that all these interstate mergers should be incorporated into Community legislation. So they've all announced this but we haven't actually seen it happen so in council I would urge you to please do what you yourselves have said that you will do.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mercedes BRESSO (S&amp;D, IT), We had a great lack of concrete of government regarding the Eurozone budget and in particular the fact that the common view was not reached on the possible fair so stabilization fashion including the unemployment insurance scheme.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Caroline NAGTEGAAL (ALDE, NL), What Italy needs is to carry out some realistic reforms that will make the country more productive. Interest rates also have to be looked at. They're going to have to change their policies. The Commission should treat Italy as they would any other European country and ensure that they respect their commitment.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS (GUE/NGL, EL), Things are moving too too slowly. A reduction of risks are moving forward Mr Dombrowski. But not with the responsibility of the Netherlands Germany and those hyper conservative forces that are in Europe. So there is still much that has to be done.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE), At the next crisis, if you know we don't have that we're going to have again poverty unemployment and economic instability, unnecessarily so. We know that there are some member states in council who are slamming on the brakes. Austria, Netherlands, Baltic states. But look at France. France was ambitious. Mr. Macron can be criticised for a number of things in terms of France in terms of the social imbalance in the country has not addressed those points. But he was ambitious when it came to the Eurozone reform and I find it really disappointing. In this state of affairs, the government of the Federal Public of Germany the coalition government isn't really standing by France this time. It's kind of hesitant to and is not showing courage in this area. So it's half hearted.