During the plenary session (01-04/10/2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the future of Europe with Juri RATAS, Estonian Prime Minister. He is the tenth EU head of state or government to debate the future of Europe with MEPs and Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Udo BULLMANN (S&D, DE), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Estonia (T)

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

future of the European Union (T)

BULLMANN, Udo (S&D, DE)

Future of Europe: extracts from the MEPs debate with Jüri RATAS, Estonian Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), For Estonia a united Europe means, first of all, freedom and security. And having today Vladimir Putin in mind, Estonia needs a strong Europe and having on the other side Donald Trump in mind, Estonia also needs a self-confident Europe which cares about the security. In the same way as Europe sticks to the NATO, we also have to strengthen our defence union, you mentioned this in your speech and probably it could be a fascinating idea to guarantee in the future the security of the Baltic states with European troops.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), We don't think that creating legislation on copyright on data protection means not creating burden for the innovative sector, for us is clear that this is creating the level playing field, is creating the ground for a modern innovation policy. A second important point for us is that we have to take the concerns of the people seriously. When a waiter has the feeling that an iPad is taking over his job and a truck driver has feelings for self-driving vehicles, which will be in the future on our streets, then we have to give an answer on a digital social market economy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Udo BULLMANN (S&amp;D, DE), We share the same idea that Europe that our countries have to be locations for the best of the many and not only for the few. We are dreaming and we are working for a Europe that us sustainable. Sustainable in its economy, in its environment and its social structures. Where everybody, where every woman and every man regardless of their income can count on the support of their public institutions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), The Baltic states, more than anyone else I should say in European Union, need a united Europe, a strong Europe more united than today and stronger than today. A Europe that is also capable, let's be very clear about this, to stand against Vladimir Putin.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), A little bit in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, who said, ''speak softly, but carry a big stick'', that was his opinion. And we in Europe for the moment, we do exactly the opposite. We preach loudly on human rights, on democracy, but we carry not stick at all.

SOUNDBITE (English), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), You also like to highlight the potential of the digital revolution or transformation, like you call it, for future welfare. And I will agree with you that we should not shy away from innovation. However, we should keep in mind the significant risks this revolution carries in terms of civil liberties or again ecological impact. Indeed, far from being dematerialised, the digital universe is hungry for gas resources, whose extraction proves very damaging to the environment.