Antonio TAJANI, EP President, delivers a speech for the Inauguration of the Academic Year at the College of Europe in Bruges. The min topics are e.g. Brexit, EE2019, migration, and the future of the EU.

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

Brexit (T)

EU - Africa (T)

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

speech

ceremony

future of the European Union (T)

Bruges

MÉNDEZ DE VIGO, Íñigo (EPP, ES)

2019 European elections (T)

Inauguration of the Academic Year at the College of Europe: extracts from the opening speech by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

Exterior view Concertgebouw building in Brugge, Belgium (3 shots).

Arrival of the EP President Antonio TAJANI and an offical welcome by Inigo MENDEZ-DE-VIGO, President of the Administrative Council of the College of Europe (3 shots).

SOUNDBITE (English), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Today we face Brexit. For us: Ireland First. A legally sound backstop solution for Ireland and Northern Ireland is necessary for any agreement. The future relation is also under discussion. The Single Market is a pillar of our prosperity; its integrity cannot be undermined.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, In the era of global confrontations, between the US, Russia, China, India, there are so many interests that big powers have so that they may not want an EU that is a protagonist. We know very well that there are things that don't work, that there are things that need to be changed internally of our union, there are so many reforms to be done. But this doesn't mean that we have to abandon the European project.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Europe must do what it should do, that is, not substituting itself for States, not substituting itself for Regions and Municipalities. Our principle of subsidiarity is another value, to do the things that others can not do, to give concrete answers to citizens. Immigration, foreign policy, fight against terrorism, defense policy, industrial policy to create employment. That is what Europe should do.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, The development and the growth of Africa that is what the stability of the Mediterranean depends on, and the reduction of the migration phenomenon.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, The Spitzencandidate procedure represents an opportunity. All member states are not that much favorable but it's a way of saying citizens go and vote to elect the possible future president of the European Commission. Otherwise you risk voting in Italy, in France, in Germany and Spain for or against the government for problems related to national issues.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Be brave and always fight for your ideals and for your freedom. Good luck! (Aplplause).

Cutaways of students listening, school choir, meeting student representatives, talking to students and giving interviews (12 shots).