Cecilia WIKSTRÖM (ALDE, SE), rapporteur, participates in the High level meeting of the Asylum Contact Group: arrival, round table and statement.

statement

Strasbourg

round table

meeting

WIKSTRÖM, Cecilia (ALDE, SE)

asylum procedures in the EU (T)

High level meeting of the Asylum Contact Group: arrivals, round table and statement by Cecilia WIKSTRÖM (ALDE, SE), rapporteur

Arrival of Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos, arrival of President of the EP Antonio Tajani, shake hands, atmosphere at the High level meeting of the Asylum Contact Group before the meeting starts. Arrival of Minister Lilyana Pavlova, from Bulgarian Council Presidency (9 shots)

Start of the meeting, Chair Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT) opens the meeting, next to Chair of LIBE EP Committee Claude MORAES (S&amp;D, UK)

EP Rapporteur on EU Asylum reform, Cecilia WIKSTR&Ouml;M (ALDE, SE)

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia WIKSTR&#214;M (ALDE, SE), Rapporteur, After having concluded this high-level meeting together with the President and Commissioner Avramopoulos, I am happy and convinced more than ever that we are united. The European Parliament, the Commission and the presence of the Presidency, the minister also confirms that now is the moment. It is now or never, that we actually see the window of opportunity not being closed. We will take formal and informal steps in trying to bridge the gap between the Member states in Council and the institutions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia WIKSTR&Ouml;M (ALDE, SE), Rapporteur, Let's put it this way, according to the treaties there is nothing that actually obliges Council to take a decision unanimously, they can do it by the qualified majority vote and that was discussed. That is according to the treaties and I have never heard any of the leaders of the Member states, any heads of states, asking the treaties to be changed.