During the plenary session (9-10 October 2019) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the 17-18 October EU summit, the agenda of which includes the EU long-term budget, Brexit and follow-up to the UN Climate Action Summit. Statements by Tytti TUPPURAINEN, Finnish Minister for European Affairs, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, and Michel BARNIER, Chief Negotiator.

Brussels

Brexit (T)

EU - United Kingdom (T)

debate

plenary session

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

BARNIER, Michel (FR)

fight against climate change (T)

TUPPURAINEN, Tytti (FI)

European Council meeting 17-18 October 2019 (T)

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 October 2019: extracts from the debate (1/2)

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, There are two alternatives to an agreement at the moment. We can have an extension or no deal. Parliament is of course open to the possibility of an extension if there are specific objective reasons for it. But requesting the extension is the prerogative of the United Kingdom. Regarding adjustment of no deal, I have made it extremely clear that it would be an extremely negative result in term of serious economic consequences for both sides, but in particular for the UK and its citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tytti TUPPURAINEN, Finnish Minister for European Affairs, It is reassuring to see the largely similar objectives of the strategic agenda on the von der Leyen political guidelines.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tytti TUPPURAINEN, Finnish Minister for European Affairs, The UK dressing out is so dangerously realistic scenario. Giving the constantly evolving situation, leaders will have to take stock of the very latest developments and decide how to best proceed.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, What is important, indeed very important, is that we have an agreement on the Multi-annual Financial Framework. The summit next week on this point has to genuinely make essential progress? because people in Europe have to be able to rely on Europe running business properly.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, When it comes to Turkey's illegal drilling operations in the eastern Mediterranean I have to repeat that in this respect I'm a Cypriot and I will remain in full solidarity with Cyprus.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, To stop operations, already as we are speaking are on the way, this military action is not leading to good results and we have to bring this to the attention of our Turkish friends. And I have to say if the Turkish plan involves the creation of a so-called safe zone, don't expect European Union to pay for any of it. A sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict can only be reached for a general political transition.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, As it stands, we remain in discussion with the United Kingdom on the terms of its departure. And personally I don't exclude a deal. We are Michelle and myself working on the deal and we are not accepting this blame game which started in London. We have not to be blamed.

SOUNDBITE (French), Michel BARNIER, Chief Negotiator - Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 TEU, The proposal of the British government. As things stand is not something we can accept. It replaces an operational practical legal solution by one that is simply hypotetical and temporary. I should be surprised that the EU is committed to getting operational legally sound and sustainable solutions in this agreement. Why. Well it's very simple: Brexit when it happens is something at long term. I have been saying this for three years now. Brexit is creating specific serious problems, first and foremost in Ireland. So when we deal with these very immediate specific and serious problems what we need is today operational legally binding solutions: not tomorrow not in the future. And they need to be solutions for both parts.