David SASSOLI, EP President, speaks to the press in the European Pariament in Brussels following the Video conference of the members of the European Council

Brussels

press conference

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

European Council meeting 19 June 2020 (T)

Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President: extracts from the statement following the video conference of the members of the European Council

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, It is essential for us to increase the financing capacity of the Union with own resources in the MFF, that is a must for us. We want not only to have clear what taxes will be transferred to the Union, but we also want to understand the timing of the introduction of these taxes.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, As far as own resources are concerned, we know that a new legislation will be necessary. We of course not only hope that this will come soon, that it will be announced soon and that it will contain the two fundamental issues. The first: what resources and what times. Because we won't just settle for ads. We want to know when they're going to come into operation. The list has been made very well by President Von der Leyen and we hope it will be respected. But there will be no agreement without clarity on the introduction of new taxes and timing.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Of course, a plan is not only measured on the quantity of resources, but on the quality of the use of resources. We said that at the beginning of this legislature. We want to work on the Green Deal and the transition to increase the working opportunities, not to decrease them. And today after the Covid, we need to invest in development so that there will be more job opportunities.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, But if the job market was less safe, if it had fewer rules and was more liberalized, will we do a good service to young people and women? I think not and I call on everyone to be very careful because we are in the presence of a very profound and serious social impact of the crisis.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, There will be no agreement on the MFF without addressing the issue of own resources. That needs to be very clear. Because look, I would not want to make the mistake that was made last year when the composition of the Commission was in place. Do you remember that? Everyone said to me, &ldquo;then eventually the governments will intervene.&rdquo; I do not know if they have spoken, but Parliament has been very clear in the consideration of the commissioners. So I think that Parliament should also be taken very seriously in this matter, because the Parliament has the final say and we do not want to give up our prerogative to be the authority of budget.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, I would not like it to be told a fairy tale that our economies and businesses are on the ground because the funds from the recovery fund are not coming. This is a lie, and it would be a lie because the tools - i.e. resources and operational legislative tools - are already available and there are many. We want more of course. And today, with everything that has been done in the last three months, all countries have opportunities to respond to companies that are in trouble.