During her official visit in the Netherlands, Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister. They hold a joint press point with journalists. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please, check against delivery.

press point

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

RUTTE, Mark

Netherlands

The Hague

EU - Netherlands (T)

president's agenda

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE (English), Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister, Good morning. I'm so happy that the president of European Parliament is visiting me.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Happy to be here.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister, And is so much work they are doing on issues like rule of law, including equal rights, on issues like migration, but also Ukraine and the leadership, but also your personal leadership. I'm really looking forward to our talks.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Thank you. I'm happy to be here. Since I've been elected president of the European Parliament, I've seen Mark around the European Council table as a strong, experienced leader who can find solutions, even when you don't think are possible at the beginning of the meeting. I'm happy to be here also to be able to talk to young students, meeting with different actors, and also discussing what Europe means here, how we can do better.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Yes, we had a meeting yesterday and there were people in the main room, people in the university student who asked all sorts of questions: Where do we go? How, you know, do we vote for who represents us in the European Parliament?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, My answer is, you know, European Union is not only in Brussels, it's not only in Strasbourg, but it's also in every single city, including here. And I hope to return to the Netherlands, actually, and go outside to The Hague, you know, and perhaps, you know, really visit different parts of this country.

Q&amp;A, Question point regarding the main in the speech to the Council of Ministers.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Well, first of all, I will outline the legislative targets of the of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union as we head into a very, very intensive period before the European elections next year. When we talk about migration, we have taken the big steps when we talk about the digital transition, we have taken the big steps.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, But, now we have ahead very highly debateable discussions on finalising the parts of the climate package and getting an agreement on migration with the Council. So, what I will be asking also the ministers is tell us where the Netherlands can put its stamp of legislation, what the people in this country would like from Europe, but also to bridge that gap, not to no longer have to face an election where we say Europe's too far away. And I think that we have to do everywhere, including here.

Q&amp;A, Question on the accession of Bulgaria to the Schengenzone.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This is something that I've said for a very long time. The Parliament has said that since 2011, if the European Commission, all the political and legal obstacles have been surpassed, therefore, I think we should allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the zone. And it's not a matter of permission, it's a matter of of rights. And I think the message should be to the Romanians and Bulgarians that they deserve to be, inside the Schengen area. And it's a transformative message.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister, This is a very special moment. This is the president of the European Parliament visiting and on Fridays, which is a fantastic opportunity to have the whole cabinet here, because we have our meeting. And to really have that debate with you is really an honour.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I wanted to also to thank the Netherlands for Ukraine and also your leadership. That has meant, you know, that for us in the European Parliament and in the European Council, we have been, you know, very quick step, but we think that one year ago this is when the Bucha massacre. Yeah, I was there one year ago in Kiev.

Q&A, Question about the European Parliamentary elections campaign starting.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Well, I would say that it is my responsibility to make sure that I get to as many people as possible who are today thinking where is Europe, on the things that matter, and where will they go when they are asked to vote, and most importantly, that somebody asks them to vote. I think in too many countries we have especially younger people who feel disenfranchised or feel ignored, who feel like they have no one who represents them.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And I want to present them with a variety of options that gives them the possibility to at least debate. Because, as I said yesterday, if they don't like what they see, it's too late if they haven't voted. But if they have voted, they can hold their politicians to account.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So rather than a campaign, I would say when I said I was elected, I wanted to burst through the Brussels and Strasbourg bubble. This is what I meant by being here and doing this around Europe. Thanks.

Q&A, Question regarding Roberta Metsola keep being President of the European Parliament or being President of the Commision.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister, That obviously what the state of play will be about all the rules, anyone will take an election. We don't know. I can only say that I'm really impressed by what this President is doing in the European Parliament, the way she's representing Europe in the European countries, the way you are bringing your case to the European Council. Each meeting we have, which is very impressive.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister, So I can only say we have an effective president of the European Parliament, and we need that because you being in Parliament is one of the three crucial institutions in the EU. And to maintain the institutional balance, you need to have a strong President. So I'm very happy. Thank you. Thank you. See you later.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mark RUTTE, Dutch Prime Minister

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Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

EU - Netherlands