Antonio COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister, and Felipe GONZALEZ, former Spanish Prime Minister participate in the inauguration of the room "Mario Soares", in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Brussels

PITTELLA, Gianni (S&D, IT)

ZORRINHO, Carlos (S&D, PT)

GONZÁLEZ, Felipe (ES)

EU - Portugal (T)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

COSTA, António (PT)

Inauguration of the room "Mario Soares" in the presence of Antonio COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister and Felipe GONZALEZ, former Spanish Prime Minister

Atmosphere shots: arrival of Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio COSTA, inauguration - unveiling of the EP room ASP3G3 plate named after Mario SOARES, participants entering the room, atmosphere in the room before the start of the ceremony. Felipe GONZALEZ, fomer Spanish Prime Minister talking to Joao SOARES, son of Mario SOARES.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Carlos ZORRINHO (S&amp;D, PT), President of the Socialist Portuguese delegation, If I could highlight one of the many things I learned with you I would remember that a politician is only great if he or she can join to their vision and values the courage to fight for themselves against the flow, until the flow changes, just as you did, Mario SOARES, many times.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SOARES, daughter of Mario SOARES, My father was a free man, untamed and untamable, he said exactly what he thought, he spoke his mind and he never left himself be beaten even when he was alone against almost everybody.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SOARES, daughter of Mario SOARES, I am certain that many of we Portuguese and Europeans will respect his legacy of hope and continue the fight for freedom, as we honour his memory. Today&rsquo;s homage in the European Parliament is something very moving for us his children but also very fair. Because he was, as in the words of the big poet and writer Jorge de Sena, &lsquo;a light that shined and continues to shine above us all&rsquo; (applause, standing ovation)

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Felipe GONZ&#193;LEZ, former Spanish Prime Minister, He was a friend, a real soul mate, and so when I am talking about Mario SOARES today I&rsquo;m speaking about him as a friend and I want to make an observation: that this room will now bear his name instead of a number, this is giving soul to the European construction from this Parliament. Applause.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Felipe GONZ&Aacute;LEZ, former Spanish Prime Minister, For us and all those who feel close to Mario SOARES and his legacy, we cannot consider that the crisis has been overcome until the deep wounds of inequality that this crisis has caused in Europe and in the world, wounds which are still open, will not be healed fairly for everyone. Applause.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Ant&#243;nio COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister, I am grateful, as a Portuguese and a European citizen, and on behalf of the Portuguese and Portugal and all those present here, for this tribute to Mario SOARES.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Ant&oacute;nio COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister, Portugal is very proud of M&aacute;rio Soares - and we know that the Europe to which, thanks largely to him, we belong and that he helped to build, shares with us this pride which inspires us all.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Ant&oacute;nio COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister, (end of speech)... It is looking at the future with fidelity to values and with the audacity of ideals. Whenever we do it is still with M&aacute;rio Soares - and in his name - that we are fighting. Viva M&aacute;rio Soares! Long live Europe! Applause.

Antonio COSTA, Felipe GONZALEZ and David-Maria SASSOLI (EP Vice-President) holding a frame with pictures from the Socialist Congress in Porto in 1976 'a Europa connosco!'

Bust of Mario SOARES with a red carnation