Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, on the occasion of the presentation of the priorities of the Belgian presidency Council of the European Union during the plenary session in Strasbourg. This news item shows extracts from the arrival of Prime Minister De Croo and welcome by President Metsola, extracts from the bilateral and extracts from the debate in the hemicycle.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

VAUTMANS, Hilde (Renew, BE)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

ŠEFČOVIČ, Maroš (SK, EC)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

EU - Belgium (T)

DE CROO, Alexander (BE)

Belgian Presidency of the EU (T)

LUTGEN, Benoît (EPP, BE)

president's agenda

MATTHIEU, Sara (Greens/EFA, BE)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and extracts from the debate

Exterior shot, arrival of Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, welcome by Roberta METSOLA EP President, Strasbourg, France, 16/01/2024, (1 shot)

Interior shots, Family photo, Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and  Roberta METSOLA EP President, Strasbourg, France, 16/01/2024, (1 shot)

Interior shot, bilateral meeting,  Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and  Roberta METSOLA EP President, Strasbourg, France, 16/01/2024, (1 shot)

Interior shots, chamber, cutaways ambiance shots before session, hand shakes with Alexander DE CROO and EP members, Strasbourg, France, 16/01/2024, (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, If 2024 brings us America first again, it will be more than ever. Europe on its own.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, We need the whole of Europe, every corner of our continent, to turn into one big capital markets accessible to all young entrepreneurs from circle to Naples, from Dublin to Sofia. That is why the Belgian presidency has asked former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta to come with a report to give the European Single Market a new momentum.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, Our presidency wants to give a new impetus to our social agenda. On the initiative of the President of the European Commission, we bring together the social partners to discuss the future of social dialogue, to confront the challenges that we face. To discuss how disruptive changes in our social and economic models such as artificial intelligence, can be best addressed. This initiative goes hand in hand with the Belgian Presidency's ambition to ensure a strong implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights as we prepare for the next institutional cycle.

SOUNDBITE (French), Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, These are a series of areas where we believe we can clearly have an influence. The funding of the Union, the future political priorities at European level strengthened European democracy. A better integration of the rule of law in the Union to make sure that the Copenhagen criteria are not just conditions to the accession to the Union, but a permanent commitment.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, Europe needs to support Israel in their justified fight to release the hostages and to fight against the terrorist organisation Hamas. European efforts to stop suffering both from the Israeli side and from the Palestinian side. These are two things that can be made totally. That is the only possible solution. Only a political solution can ensure freedom and security in the Middle East.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maro&#353; &#352;EF&#268;OVI&#268;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, We also look forward to discussions on the assessment of the 2040 climate target, which we will table in February, as well as a strategy in March on how to better protect Europe against the impact of climate change, such as droughts and floods.

SOUNDBITE (English), Maro&#353; &#352;EF&#268;OVI&#268;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, It is important that we conclude the trialogues on the Schengen Borders Code and the long term Residence Directive.

SOUNDBITE (French), Beno&#238;t LUTGEN (EPP, BE), Europe needs to do more to protect its population and recover its autonomy. You mentioned digital, but there was no vision. There was no idea, no mention of defeating Chinese efforts to dominate in defence. We heard much more from President Macron than from you.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), We must be able to assist our citizens with more Europe. The European social pillar should have a minimum wage, fair pay, and in congenial working conditions. Mr. DeCaro, please respect the agreement with the European Parliament on the file on platform workers. 28 million individuals work, and this cannot wait any longer.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), We, Renew Europe, we say no enlargement without in deep deepening. And what does this mean? Well, we need to get rid of unanimity, as far as I'm concerned. A true minister of Foreign Affairs of the Union. And I think we need to make a further effort to achieve this European army.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Sara MATTHIEU (Greens/EFA, BE), As far as Belgium is concerned, we need to have an ambitious climate approach so that we can get the 90 to 95% reduction in emissions. This is possible. Even Poland supports this because the protection of our environment is to protect the future of our children and grandchildren.