Conclusions of the Eurosummit on Greece (22 June 2015) during the EP plenary session in Brussels. Statements by the Council and the Commission

Brussels

EU - Greece (T)

statement

plenary session

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

economic situation in Greece (T)

KALNIŅA-LUKAŠEVICA, Zanda (LV)

Conclusions of the Eurosummit on Greece (22 June 2015): extracts from the Council and Commission statements

Atmosphere ahead the meeting, views in the hemicycle (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Zanda KALNI&#325;A-LUKA&#352;EVICA, Latvian EU Council Presidency, On the informal meeting of the Eurozone summit with heads of state and government. The goal was providing more clarity regarding the situation in Greece. The heads of state exchanged views on the situation in Greece as well as discussed the progress and negotiations between Greece and the international creditors. With this meeting Council President Tusk wanted to change the current dynamic of the negotiations, by giving it a new positive impulse.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Zanda KALNI&#325;A-LUKA&#352;EVICA, On migration: first of all, resettlement reintegration; second, returns and readmission, and third cooperation with the hosts, home states and transit states. These are interlinked elements, and an integrated approach will allow to provide protection for those who need it.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Zanda KALNI&#325;A-LUKA&#352;EVICA, I was informed today that Hungary is unilaterally stopping the application of the Dublin system. Unilateral action is not a solution. Only through dialogue, and acting together, consistently implementing the aquis we can find a solution to the current challenges.

SOUNDBITE (French), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC, Building bridges, the aim of the EU is not about excluding, but about including. In Europe it is all about permanent dialogue that has to be underpinned by understanding and mutual respect. That is not always easy, and the water can be turbulent, but it is possible to make this happen when each side build its part of the bridge. We must find this week an agreement on Greece. The time is pressing, we have to go directly to the goal. We cannot extend and prolong any further.

SOUNDBITE (French), Frans TIMMERMANS, Once all the necessary conditions have been met for an agreement to be made, the European Commission will be in the position to reactivate 35 billion euro for the European budget to support Greece. President Juncker will be proposing solution to help to absorb structural funds and European investments, and also immediately mobilise the pre-finance instruments large sums of money to be able to kick start investment projects in the economy.

SOUNDBITE (French), Frans TIMMERMANS, The minute of silence in the European Council should not be transformed in months of silence. We have to have a response. What we have to do is to give a hand to these people who are risking their lifes, leaving their countries, which have been thrown up by conflicts. They do that looking for international protection, and they have the rights to ask for that.

SOUNDBITE (French), Frans TIMMERMANS, On the one hand we need to act with generosity towards those people who need international protection, and at the same time we have to be very firm with those people who have no reason to stay in Europe and who don't need international protection. For that reasons we propose some ideas to strengthen retour policies and readmission policies. It is clear that the support our people showed for a human asylum policy will be damaged if people who do not have the right to that asylum are abusing, coming here and allowed to stay. That is why we really need to tackle this issue on both fronts.

SOUNDBITE (French), Frans TIMMERMANS, Today in the Netherlands a very well know singer died, Th&eacute; Lau. At the end of my speech can I just quote from something he said. It is perhaps his most famous line, which is like a glove for the European Council: " Everyone belongs to the world, and the world belongs to everyone". Thank you. Applause