During the meeting of the Committee on Budgets (BUDG), MEPs vote on the Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund - EGF/2019/001 BE/Carrefour - Belgium, in the European Parliament in Brussels. Statements by José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), rapporteur, and Olivier CHASTEL (RE, BE). The results of the vote are: 35 voters, 30 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions.

Brussels

European Globalisation Adjustment Fund 2014 - 2020 (T)

meeting

vote

Committee on Budgets

FERNANDES, José Manuel (EPP, PT)

CHASTEL, Olivier (Renew, BE)

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund - EGF/2019/001 BE/Carrefour - Belgium: extracts from the vote and statement by José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), rapporteur

Atmosphere ahead the meeting, views with the rapporteur (2 shots) .

SOUNDBITE (French), Jos&#233; Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), I just had the information that the Council rejected this GFM, this globalization fund, to help workers who have lost their jobs, victims of globalization. There were many similar cases that have been adopted by the Council previously. The Council's position is unacceptable.

Chair President launching the final vote, views during the vote.

e-Vote results: Total voters 35; in favour 30; against 3; abstentions 2. Adopted.

SOUNDBITE (French), Olivier CHASTEL (RE, BE), It is a dossier that has left many workers behind and Europe has so far demonstrated all its added value in the way in which the effects of globalization could be counteracted. In this case, here, digitization. It was therefore an added value so far to demonstrate to European citizens the way in which Europe could intervene in such cases. Our rapporteur has understood this well. He had experience in this area, I thank him. I can only associate myself with the statement made by my country, Belgium, at the various meetings of the Council, whether it is the Budget Committee, the way in which, at the ANTICI meeting, and again this morning in COREPER. Belgium obviously regretted that decision. Only one country voted against this proposal. Many abstained. There was therefore no qualified majority to be able to adopt it in COREPER, and we are going towards a trialogue where, obviously, the room for maneuver is rather narrow.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jos&#233; Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), rapporteur, There have been similar cases, if not the same, and the Council had approved the mobilization of the Globalization Adjustment Fund. Now for Belgium, they refused. This is an unjustified position. It is unacceptable. It's even a shame for the Council.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jos&#233; Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), We are only talking about 1.6 million euros.  Due to internal games and internal differences the Council refuses a budget and penalizes the people, those who lost their jobs. In addition the Council does not respect the law, does not respect the rules.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jos&#233; Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), Where is the trust between the institutions? Where is the trust between the countries that sit on the Council? Where is the trust between the Commission and the Council. Where is transparency? Why does the council not say why it rejects? He refuses. Now, we're going for a trialogue. We give a sad example. Where is solidarity? Where is the respect of the rules?

SOUNDBITE (French), Jos&#233; Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), The council speaks about the rule of law, but they do not practice what they speak. It makes many proclamations but after whose actions are contrary to the principles and they are contrary to the treaties, they are also contrary to the solidarity.