Roberta METSOLA, EP President gives her opening statement on the recent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria & Minute of silence before the plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

EU - Syria (T)

plenary session

EU - Türkiye (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

natural disasters (T)

president's agenda

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria & Minute of silence

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Few announcements from my sides, dear colleagues, starting with a very serious one last week, a devastating series of earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, causing almost unimaginable destruction. Tens of thousands of people have been killed. Thousands more are injured or still trapped under the rubble.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And I want to underline that Europe stands with the people of Turkey and Syria. Our civil protection mechanism has been activated and help has and continues to be sent. And this will be debated as the first item of our agenda this afternoon. Right now, our thoughts are with the families of those killed, those trapped, those injured.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And with all the rescuers fighting the clock night and day to save lives. Once we discuss that this afternoon, I ask you to be present. But before that, I invite you to join me for a minute of silence. In honour of the many victims of this tragic earthquake.