To mark Europe Day and the 70th anniversary of the Schuman declaration, the European Parliament hosts a “stay-at-home” Open Day, where doors are opened to citizens virtually, with a programming schedule across EP media channels. This year, the focus is on EU citizens, particularly those directly helping in the crisis, as well as on informing citizens about and debating on EU solidarity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Statement by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group Leader, on our common future post-COVID-19, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Europe Day - Schuman Declaration Anniversary - 70 Years of Solidarity: statement by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group Leader

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SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), group leader, This 9 May marks 70 years of the Schuman Declaration with this declaration and from the ashes of the Second World War the road to peace, freedom and solidarity of the European Union that we know today began. In these first 70 years Europe has given peace and prosperity to its citizens, widening its borders and claiming its motto of unity in diversity.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), group leader, Despite the pitfalls that have appeared on their journey in the construction of the common European project, we European Socialists have been key authors and are determined to continue to be so. Unfortunately, this year we celebrate a different May 9 with the mourning for those who have died in this health crisis, just leaving our running of the bulls and in the face of a future full of uncertainties.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), group leader, As chairman of the parliamentary group of Socialists and Democrats, but also as a European citizen, I am convinced that a stronger, more united and more social Europe must be the answer to rebuild our future. One example of this is that the European Parliament and despite our differences, the main political groups have been able to overcome our ideological and national lines to think of a strong European response for the benefit of all citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), group leader, On this anniversary and in the face of this crisis, our political family wants to claim a courageous solution to face the health crisis, to build a green, sustainable and socially just Europe, to achieve the economic and digital transformation that we need to protect and improve the democratic Europe of freedoms and rights that we enjoy. For this we need a new Marshall Plan, the European Recovery Fund. This fund, together with an ambitious European budget and a real development of the European Union's fiscal capacities to complement the design of the single currency, must be the tool for our reconstruction.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), group leader, These tools, based on solidarity and common interest, must provide the necessary resources to unite the union and leave no one behind. But they must also ensure the relaunch of our economy and the strengthening of our common market. Only in this way will we be able to guarantee decent living conditions where our nearest future is settled. Yes, at the economic and social level, we have been able to respond in terms of institutional matters.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), group leader, We can't stay behind. We must be bold and imaginative, as were the founders of the first European communities. That is why we in the Social Democratic family are defending the Conference for the Recovery of Europe's Future, so that it will be a true forum for inclusive debate among all sectors of the population and whose conclusions will serve as a new road map for the Union. The European project has always been of the future and has not succumbed to pessimism. For our parents and grandparents it meant peace, freedom, prosperity, for our generation and those who follow us. The story of Europe must be of equality, solidarity, hope.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), group leader, On this European day, let us turn this crisis into an opportunity. With the memory of those who are not here to renew the European Union and revive the Europeanism that we pride ourselves as European citizens. If 70 years ago the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman called for Europe creative efforts comparable to the dangers that threaten it, on the 70th anniversary of Schuman's declaration, the European Social Democracy is committed to continuing to work tirelessly for a renewed European Union for and for citizens. We overcome this virus together.

Europe Day - Schuman Declaration Anniversary - 70 Years of Solidarity: statement by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group Leader

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