In a debate with the European Commission and the Belgian Presidency, MEPs outline their expectations for the 21 - 22 March EU summit, set to focus on Russia’s war against Ukraine, the war in the Gaza Strip as well as European security and defence. This footage shows extracts from the speeches of Hadja Lahbib, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and the Chairs of the EPP Group, S&D Group and Renew. In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen highlights two themes, the Middle East and EU enlargement. She also announces that the Commission wants to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

HAYER, Valérie (Renew, FR)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

LAHBIB, Hadja (BE)

European Council meeting 21-22 march 2024 (T)

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024: extracts from the debate

Exterior shot of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, arrives to the hemicycle (2 shots). 

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, We cannot remain passive given what given the humanitarian tragedy that's taking place in Gaza and there's an imminent threat of famine. Children are already dying from malnutrition. The urgent supply of fuels, medicines and essential goods needs to be done without obstacles.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, We need to have a longstanding ceasefire and we need to put in place humanitarian assistance.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, As we speak, a ship is setting sail from Cyprus to Northern Gaza. It carries the most basic kind of humanitarian aid, which is almost the most needed today. Food, plain and simple food, for a population that faces a humanitarian catastrophe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, When fully operational this maritime corridor could guarantee a sustained, a regulated and a robust flow of aid to Gaza. And this is the first time that a ship is authorised to deliver aid to Gaza since 2005.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, The situation on the ground is more dramatic than ever and it has reached a tipping point. We have all seen the reports of children dying of starvation. This cannot be, and we must do all in our power to stop it. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, Today I can announce that we have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to strengthen our support, and I encourage all Member States to contribute with their assets, from parachutes to containers, to allow a stable and meaningful supply of aid to Gaza.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, UNWRA has also agreed to an audit by external experts appointed by the European Union, and as a result, we will proceed with a payment of &euro;50 million in support of UNWRA. And the next tranches will be released as soon as the agency takes the other steps we have agreed together.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, The people of Gaza need an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable cease fire. And they need it now.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, We have realised that it is not enough to just wait for the Western Balkans to move closer to us. It is not enough to say that the door is open. We must also take responsibility and support their path towards our Union in any possible way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, The good news comes now. This is the reason that we will decide to recommend to the Council to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. So the message coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina is clear. So our message, as suggested, must be clear too. The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in our Union. Thank you very much and long live Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Chair of the EPP Group, I first of all want to thank the Commission President for today's announcement. First of all, on the active help for Gaza, together with our Cypriot friends and also the announcement that Bosnia-Herzegovina gets the status of really starting the negotiations now. Good news. Thank you so much.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&Iacute;A P&Eacute;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), Chair of the S&amp;D Group, We have the responsibility to prevent the Palestinian people from being crushed by an apartheid regime that Netanyahu's government has set up over time in the face of division in the European Union. 30,000 deaths, 70,000 injured, 1.7 million displaced people, and the destruction of a region, Gaza, which is no longer habitable. What soul does the European Union have if it's not able to speak with one voice in the face of Netanyahu's contempt for the most basic rules of humanity?

SOUNDBITE (French), Val&eacute;rie HAYER (FR, Renew), Chair of the Renew Group, I want to be clear about our shock at the recent images, which are indescribable and unacceptable. Israel, so proud of its democracy, must live up to its values. It is vital for all humanitarian aid to reach the civilian population of the Gaza Strip without constraint, without a shot being fired, without victims.