Statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President on the exclusion of Eleftherios SYNADINOS following the declaration of the MEP earlier in the morning in the Chamber,&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

fight against racism and xenophobia (T)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

SYNADINOS, Eleftherios (NI, EL)

Statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President on the exclusion of Eleftherios SYNADINOS (NI, GR)

SOUNDBITE (German) Martin SCHULZ, EP President: This morning there was an incident in the Chamber and I believe that the EP should not fail to react to it. We absolutely must react to the incident. I'd like to quote the sentence, which firstly I don't think it's acceptable and secondly I think it must be sanctioned. The sentence was by Mr Synadinos on the debate on the EU-Turkey summit and he expressed the following sentence and I quote: "As it has been expressed in scientific literature, the Turks are dirty and polluted. Turks are like wild dogs when they play but when they have to fight against their enemies they run away. The only effective way to deal with the Turks is with decisive and resolute attitudes". That ladies and gentlemen is a sentence which, in accordance to article 165 of the rules of procedure, represents a breach of the values of the EU. So as an immediate measure (applause from the Chamber) I have said and I say to you as well, this is a basic decision because I believe that we have to establish a procedure here where if red lines are crossed, then we have to declare them unactable, particularly with regards to racism. For that reason, in accordance with rule 165 of the rules of procedure, in accordance with rule 11, I immediately exclude Mr Synadinos from the Chamber. Applause.

Mr Synadinos takes his briefcase and leaves the Chamber, Martin SCHULZ, asks him to leave the Chamber and says to other Non-attached MEPs if they want to leave the Chamber with him they are free to do so. There will be no debate on this measure says the President: 'Mr Synadinos will be heard on this incident; no debates on the rules of procedure'.