Roberta METSOLA, EP President gives a tribute to Jose Maria GIL ROBLES, former EP President (1997-1999) and Minute of Silence in his memory.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

minute of silence

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

GIL ROBLES, Alvaro

president's agenda

Tribute by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Jose Maria GIL ROBLES, former EP President (1997-1999) and Minute of Silence in his memory

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Dear colleagues, before we start the vote, it is my sad duty to inform you of the death yesterday, Monday of Jose Maria Hilda Robles, who was president of the European Parliament from 1997 to 1999 and who was an eminent member of this House for 15 years. He served in many capacities during his parliamentary terms and was a rapporteur for a number of institutional reforms.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, He will be remembered for having ensured that Parliament was directly involved in the negotiations of the Treaty of Amsterdam, including the inclusion of the legal basis for the adoption of the member statute. Thanks to which Parliament became more independent. It was during his presidency that Parliament contributed to the decisions relating to the entry into force of the euro and the start of accession negotiations for ten new member states.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, He also led this House during the difficult months preceding the resignation of the European Commission, a crisis from which this institution emerged stronger. This House mourns him and prays tributes to his legacy. And I ask you now, please, to observe a minute of silence in his memory. We now proceed to.