During the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Preparation of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016. Statements on migration by&nbsp;Ivan KORCOK, President-in-office of the Council, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Herbert REUL (EPP, DE), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), and Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK).

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016: extracts from the debate on migration

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Arrival of EP President Martin SCHULZ in the Chamber

SOUNDBITE (English), Ivan KORCOK, President-in-office of the Council, I just recalled that it's tomorrow that the European Border and Coast Guard will enter into force, to be inaugurated in Bulgaria and I'd like to say that the Slovak presidency considers its to be most important work in the remaining months to make European Border and Coast Guard operational.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ivan KORCOK, President-in-office of the Council, I recall that we have agreed on migration compacts and the European Council will certainly in detail review where we stand with this very important building block. And lastly, external dimension, of course, there will be an opportunity to review the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, For the post-Dublin system; which the Council and Parliament are discussing at the moment, we will have to see to what extent we can reconcile the different viewpoints. There is this idea of flexible solidarity, but I think we need to reach an agreement which is firmly based on solidarity.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, on the agreement with Turkey, this is working. 10,000 refugees were arriving in Greece a year ago, today it is 85 refugees arriving in Greece.

SOUNDBITE (German), Herbert REUL (EPP, DE), When it comes to the migratory question you can certainly complain about all things that don't work, but you can say that the Turkish agreement is a success. I am not saying that that all problems are solved but migratory flows have dropped. And question two, how can you have solidarity in Europe unless people welcome in a few migrants, there has to be solidarity. The Commission is saying that there should be flexibility so that everyone can cooperate, it is important that we defend this common project.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), S&amp;D Group leader, <p>When it comes to migration we are talking about fear. When you talk about fear, then fear will overwhelm you. If you look at te news from Hungary, that the apprentice wizard Mr ORBAN has organised this referendum, he's been disavowed, so the defeat of Mr ORBAN says that we should move ahead with our European Asylum and Migration system. And as President JUNCKER recalled, we nee to put back on the agenda progress on the partnership agreement with Africa.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK), ECR Group leader, We need to show our citizens in all our countries that we understand their concerns. So when our citizens ask for fair but controlled immigration, let us be tough on those that attempt to jump the queue, over others who apply via legal migration channels. But compassionate to those who deserve our shelter, returning those who are not fleeing persecution or war.

SOUNDBITE (German), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE), When the Council discussed migration, we also have to look at how Member States ensures that we don't see a dilution of our values, and I think that we have to continue to implement our proposals despite the failed Hungarian referendum. We need clear statements from the Council.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN&apos;T VELD (ALDE, NL), Council said we need to end the uncontrolled migration flows. Absolutely. But not by creating Fortress Europe. Not by making shady deals with unsavoury regimes, we know thee are moore in the pipeline, you call them statements rather than deals, nor by ignoring the explosive situation in Lebanon and Jordan.But by working speedily on the adoption of a fully fledged community asylum policy.

SOUNDBITE (French), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Greens/EFA Group leader, Mr KORCOK, I don't think that digging ourselves in with the Fortress Europe approach is not going to be a proper response to the migration issue. I do think that we have to show solidarity and be true to our values.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David BORRELLI (EFDD, IT), The EU institutions have to send out a strong clear message they are paying attention to the migratory crisis, that they are concerned about the lives of these desperate people but also concerned about the worries of the European citizens, because they clearly can see the inability to deal with the migratory phenomenon, that will give rise to increase fear. What we need is3 abilities: courage, balance and rapidity.

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016: extracts from the debate on migration

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