Debate on the Programme of activities of the Dutch Presidency&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (18-21/01) in Strasbourg. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

PITTELLA, Gianni (S&D, IT)

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

KAMALL, Syed (ECR, UK)

ZIMMER, Gabriele (GUE/NGL, DE)

Dutch Presidency of the EU (T)

Programme of activities of the Dutch Presidency: extracts from the MEPs debate

SOUNDBITE (German), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), You pointed out that a deal is a deal. In Council there was an agreement to offer Turkey over 3 billion to create conditions there, which means that people will not have to flee, but this money has not been delivered. The EP has made the money available through an accelerated procedure but the Council has not delivering on this. So I think the biggest task for you, Prime minister, is to re-establish credibility and to insure that things that are decided in the Council are implemented.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), Taxes need to be paid where profits are made. That's why we ask the Dutch presidency to support the proposals contained in the Ferreira - Theurer report. We also want to see quick approval on the country-by-country reporting, and as far as social Europe is concerned and the environmental sustainability there is much work to be done. Social dumping is a disaster, and our group wants your presidency to be remembered for the decisive contribution that you could make to a good labour mobility package being passed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK), We've seen all too often how presidencies becomes so desperate to get legislative agreements on their report card, that they agree to any all rubbish, so my group will judge your presidency not on the quantity but on the quality of legislation that we will see passed in the next six months. We will look to you to remove obstacles for trade in across the single market, especially the digital single market. We will look to you to advocate enforcement of existing rules, such as EU stability and growth packet and as well as the digital single market. We will look to you to quickly move on proposals on capital markets and energy proposals.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), It's better to have one simple European directive instead of 28 different national regulations. Take for the example of Spotify. Spotify - a Swedish company - went to the US instead of in Europe, because they had to comply with 28 national regulations. So one European is far more, and less costly, than 28 different national regulations.

SOUNDBITE (German), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE), When you talk about migration, what does it mean when you say 'a deal is a deal', and that we have 6 to 8 weeks? Does that means that after 6 to 8 weeks you will be telling Turkey that what they are doing is not enough, is not good? Does it mean that an aggressive fight against civilians of these countries is going to be conducted? Or you can do something against the origins of the reasons of people becoming refugees; take away the sources of money for the war lords, prevent them getting the row materials, as the OECD is suggesting.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), This year the Netherlands will not win the European championship, we know that, but it is a champion in another area, which you didn't mention, and that is tax evasion. We know here are other competitors, and that the truth of it, sometimes the Dutch are pretty sure of themselves. I see that Portuguese companies, without any activity in the Netherlands are using artificial arrangements to relocate in your country. I see the biggest retail chain in Lithuania, Maxima, is the name of it, relocating to the Netherlands. It's completely artificial. They have no business activity in your country at all. So how long we will continue to see the Dutch as team players if the Netherlands continue to steal money from is neighbours? I think that it is completely unacceptable, and I haven't heard a single word about this when you were talking about your priories.