David SASSOLI, EP President gives a press conference following his meeting with the Heads of States and governments at the Special European Council, 20-21 February 2020, in Brussels, to discuss the EU’s long-term budget for 2021-2027.

Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President, following the Special European Council, 20-21 February 2020: extracts

Title: Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President, following the Special European Council, 20-21 February 2020: extracts 

Exterior view of the Council building, Brussles

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, We are awaiting a positive outcome of the Council's work. And we hope that the outcome would be up to the ambitions of the European Union and that will, in turn, enable negotiations. But this proposal is unacceptable. It is a series of cuts on the traditional policies and it is insufficient in financing the commitments which the EP committee on budget has flagged up already.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, We are pragmatic and not utopian. I think that there are some governments who should explain to their public opinions that they are asking for cuts on areas such as competition, growth, security, etcetera. On the other hand, what does it mean cutting the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) or the cohesion policy? It means that our citizens would be less well protected and we simply will not go along with that.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, If you look at the President Michel's proposal, there's a proposal to cut back on European public administration. Ir is clear that if cutting back on European public administration is not the answer. How can we consent on accurate control on resources if they are going to be cut like this, in this overriding manner. I do recall that public administration represents about 7 percent of the Union&rsquo;s budget, which is the lowest in comparison with member states share.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, <p>The European Parliament and the Commission&rsquo;s proposal allocates to immigration about to over &euro;30 billion. The Council position is &euro;20bn, actually &euro;21bn. So what does that mean really? What it means is that countries in southern Europe, which have to deal with major issues coming from the southern hemisphere on their own as the Council has not taken into account the Dublin Treaty which the Parliament has backed by a large majority. So southern Europe citizens would be left without an EU immigration policy and without money.</p>

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, It is very important the discussions going on in Council now. It is that they formulate an acceptable position to start a negotiation with the Parliament. But the agreement that they might conclude is not the new MFF for the European Union. That's not the way it works. 

Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President, following the Special European Council, 20-21 February 2020: extracts

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