Speech on the State of the Union by José Manuel BARROSO, EC President, during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg

plenary session

speech

BARROSO, Jose Manuel (PT, EC President)

state of the Union 2013 (T)

State of the Union 2013: introduction by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, and extracts from statement by José Manuel BARROSO, EC President

Exterior view of the European Parliament, Strasbourg

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, " We the Institutions of the EU , Parliament, Commission, talk in a very transparent fashion, we talk, in public , it is in the public domain as opposed to the other entity , the entity that goes to Brussels for its Summit meetings. Sometimes they state that they are the European executive and often they meet behind closed doors, whereas we meet in public session. Now I actually think that it is a good thing that when we are talking about European affairs , I think it is a good thing to have our doors flung wide open , to have an open and transparent debate, something that all citizens around the EU can listen to and observe."

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President , "I would like to put out an appeal to the Member states of the EU and to the members of the EU Council as well , to them in particular, when it comes to the implementation of large scale common ^projects, I mean here in Parliament , we decide with a majority vote. We have a long list of tasks. Tasks that can not be resolved that can not go ahead because in Council unfortunately you have individual interests , interest which are blocking us and stooping us form going forward."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, "The facts tell us that our efforts have started to convince. The most vulnerable are paying less to borrow, industrial out put is increasing, market trust is returning, stock markets are performing well , the business outlook is steadily improving , consumers is sharply rising."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, "What we can and must do first and foremost , let's be concrete, is delivering the banking Union. It is the first and most urgent phase underway to deepen our economic and monetary Union as mapped down in the EC blueprint presented last autumn."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " The current level of unemployment is economically unsustainable, politically untenable and socially unacceptable."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " Isn't it a paradox that we have an internal market for goods but it comes to digital market., we have 28 national markets. How can we grab all the opportunities of the future that are open to digital economy if we don't conclude this internal market (Applause form the Chamber)."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " Later this autumn , we will make further proposals for an industrial policy fit for the 21st Century while we mobilize support for SMEs because we believe a strong dynamic industrial base is indispensable for a strong European economy."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " We need to step up our game in implementing the Multiannual Financial Framework, the European budget. the EU budget is the most concrete lever we have attained to boost investments. In some of our regions the EU investment is the only way they have to get some public investment because they can not now have the resources at national level."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " We should not be ashamed to be proud , once thing is arrogance. We don't want to be arrogant. but we should be proud of Europe , what we have achieved .We should look towards the future but with a wisdom we gained from the past" (Applause from the Chamber).

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " The use of chemical weapons is an horrendous act that deserves a clear condemnation and a strong answer. The international community with the United nations at this Centre carries a collective responsibility to sanctions these acts and to put an end to this conflict; The proposal to put serious chemical weapons beyond use is potentially a positive development"

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " I believe a political Union must be our political horizon as I stressed last year in the State of the Union .This is not just a demand of a passionate European , this is an indispensable way forward to consolidate our progress and ensure the future."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jos&#233; Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, " In 8 months time voters will decide . Now it is up to us to make the case for Europe. We can do so by using the next 8 months to conclude as much as we can. We have a lot to do still. Namely and implement the European budget the MFF, this is critical for investment in our regions all over Europe."