During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (14-17 September 2020), David SASSOLI, EP President, makes opening remarks on the plenary sessions in Strasbourg. He expresses his regret that the difficult decision had to be taken not to hold the September part session in Strasbourg and his solidarity with the family of Jozef Chovanec, who died having been detained in Charleroi airport in February 2018.

Brussels

statement

plenary session

Treaty on European Union (T)

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

keynote speech

EU - Slovakia (T)

single seat of the EP (T)

functioning of the EP (T)

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remarks by David SASSOLI, EP President, on the plenary sessions in Strasbourg and Slovak case Chovanec

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to extend a welcome to the members of the European Parliament present with us and those connecting.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, As you know, we are all facing the Covid 19 emergency. We hoped that after the summer break we would be able to return to normality, but I see that countries are still hard hit by the virus. The progress of contagion has restarted in many of our countries and national governments adopted containment measures. For this reason, in light of the information provided by the health authorities in France, with regret, I decided not to held the plenary session in Strasbourg in September.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, I would like to thank the political group leaders for their support in that difficult decision and for having showed full support in the Conference of Presidents for my decision to return to Strasbourg as soon as the health situation the city and the safety conditions will allow us to return.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, I am grateful to the French authorities for understanding the spirit behind our decision and for their cooperation over these difficult months on behalf of all MEPs. I'd like to extend warm greetings to the mayor and citizens of Strasbourg as we await our return, which we hope will happen as soon as possible.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Dear colleagues, I have received from many of you indications concerning the case of the Slovak citizen Jozef Chovanec, who died having been detained in Charleroi Airport in February 2018. And I'd like to express my solidarity and your solidarity with the family and his friends. And also to emphasize once again that human rights are a central value for the European Union. And we also endorse the need to investigate and to establish responsibility.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, The LIBE Committee of the European Parliament has already been referred to the case, and the European Parliament will, of course, follow developments. Thank you.