David SASSOLI, EP President opens the session (9-12 March 2020) at the European Parliament in Brussels. David Sassoli explain why the plenary session is exceptionally held in Brussels and the modification of the agenda due to the concerns linked to the spread of the Coronavirus. This transcription speech is the he result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Brussels

statement

plenary session

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

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

Resumption of session and order of business: Opening remarks by David SASSOLI, EP President

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President Colleagues, you were informed last Thursday, the plenary session this week will be taking place exceptionally here in Brussels. As a result of force measure, I have taken this decision on the basis of the report of the medical service of the parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President They have carefully analysed the development of the Covid 19 epidemic, and they have determined that moving the parliament to Strasbourg for the plenary session would represent a significantly higher risk for our health and for the health of the local population.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President I took note of the fact that the necessary conditions were not established to ensure the safety of all participants at plenary, and thus the decision to hold the plenary here in Brussels was taken intending to ensure the continuity of the Parliament's work and to avoid any interruption to legislative work.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President I would like to thank the French authorities and all of those who have been involved in this process. I'd like to thank everyone for their cooperation. I'd like to particularly thank the administration of the Parliament, which for the last few weeks has been very closely following this these developments.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President It's a difficult moment, a difficult moment for our institution. And all parliamentarians and political groups should be committed to protecting the integrity of this parliament's work so that our democratic life can continue our governments and the European Union itself is asking sacrifices of its citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President And we have to set a good example. We have to do everything possible to ensure continuity of legislative functions and budgetary work. We need to ensure that struggle against the Corvid 19 epidemic, particularly given the extent to which companies have been affected. But our work on the Green Deal and on immigration and on the multiannual financial framework have to continue. So we do need to remain at our posts.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President We'd like to express our solidarity with all those colleagues who are in the quarantine zones and cannot attend the session. All other members are called upon to observe the recommendations of the authorities.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President And we suggest that you remain in Brussels to reduce your travel to the minimum. It appears that the travel in particular is a cause of concern at this moment in time.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President We have to fulfil our parliamentary mandate and we have to give our praise to all of those around Europe and around the world are doing their duty, their daily duty to contain the spread of the illness.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President I'm sure that with a sense of responsibility, but also a sense of pride. We will rise to this challenge. That's why today I held an extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of Presidents, and I'd like to thank those involved for their cooperation and all of the efforts that they have made in dealing with the situation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President We've decided to change the final draft at Agenda for this plenary session as follows. The March part-session will consist of only tomorrow, Tuesday, the 10th of March, and we'll be structured as follows from 9 o'clock until noon, council and commission statements on the Corona Corona virus outbreak.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President And of course, we would like to ensure that we have some of the important people involved in this battle from 3 o'clock until 6 o'clock and we'll have a European Council and Commission statements on the conclusions of the special European Council meeting on the multiannual Financial Framework.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President The parliament, of course, is a major stakeholder in this whole process. Then there will be the council and commission statements on the migration situation at the Greek Turkish border and the EU's common response to it.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President So these changes to the agenda have been approved by the Conference of Presidents. And of course, as you'll all understand, we would like the parliament to stay open and functional. But of course, at the same time, we need to take all of the necessary precautions and reduce it to the minimum.

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President The activities taking place in the House. So for that reason, the session is now suspended and work will resume tomorrow at 9:00. Thank you very much. And thank you very much for your cooperation.