During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-10 July 2020), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor presents the programme of activities of the German Presidency. Welcome by David SASSOLI, EP President and statement by Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Brussels

statement

EU - Germany (T)

MERKEL, Angela (DE)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

German Presidency of the EU (T)

Welcome by David SASSOLI, EP President and statement by Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, Good morning. Good morning everyone I want to give Chancellor Angela Merkel a warm welcome. I consider it particularly important and of great value to be your gesture to choose the European Parliament for its first formal act as rotating president of the European Union. .

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, We are on the eve as you know of important appointments that we cannot fail look to us millions and millions of European citizens and citizens who have suffered who are suffering from the serious consequences of the pandemic.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, Nothing can be can come back as before but above all no one has to be left behind. This is the opportunity for our institutions to return to being the one for which a common good of Europeans was born.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, That's why powerful tools are about to be put into the field the multiannual budget of the Next Generation Fund for reconstruction on a robust economic and social basis.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, For Parliament, the European Commission proposal is an arrival point but is the starting point for find appropriate solutions. We will fight for the success of this proposal by all means at our disposal.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, Germany has understood well the importance of European solidarity. That is why we are confident that under its leadership the Council will be able to respond to the challenges we have before us. .

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, The priorities of the German Presidency that you will set out in Parliament shortly go in the right direction. We have and we all feel the need to walk together for the European recovery.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, Mr President of the European Parliament, dear David.  I am pleased that my first trip abroad after the outbreak of the pandemic will take me to Brussels and to the European Parliament, where I can present the priorities of the German Presidency today.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, Of course, before Coruna, we were presented with a different presidency. And as you said, people are still under the influence of this pandemic. Many, many people died.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, We're thinking about the victims. But we also work for the future. And that is why Germany has given itself the motto to make Europe strong again. And I will present the priorities of the Presidency today.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, During this presidency, we need and want to maintain close cooperation with the European Parliament. That's why today also this visit. 

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, Over the next few months, it is about the big task of trying to curb the pandemic, to cope with the consequences. These are health consequences, social consequences, economic consequences. 

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, And, of course, we need agreement on the instruments. This is reliability for the multiannual financial framework. But also the construction fund. Because we are facing an unprecedented situation of economic burglary, of concern for jobs. And then the correct answer must be found.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, The European Council must come to a conclusion first and then we must work closely with Parliament

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, But finances will not be the only issue in our presidency, but migration, the rule of law.  And, of course, it is also about two major tasks that lead us into the future, which illustrate the change in our economy and our work

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, This is climate change, and on the other hand, digitalisation and the development of a digital single market. We want to become more sovereign in digitalization.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, And, of course, in times of crisis, we also want not to forget the great task of change for the big ones, but to set the course for the future. .

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, That means the money we want for reconstruction now, it is not simply invested to get where we were, but to take a step into the future. I think it will be a good cooperation, at least after we have always met.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, I spoke at the beginning of videoconference with the chairmen of the groups, and I look forward to our personal exchange and then to my speech and discussion in the European Parliament.