Live replay of the EP plenary sitting in Strasbourg, 16th until 19th December. Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty and the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Right. Closing statement by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

Lisbon Treaty (T)

MICHEL, Charles (BE)

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

Plenary session: Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty and the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights - Closing statement by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President,: Thank you very much, Madam President. I now give the floor to President Michel.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: Mr. President. Madam President. The members of Japan's parliament. It's a pleasure to join you in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon. This commemoration builds a bridge between Europe's past and Europe's future. And what better place to mark this historic event than the European Parliament? A shining symbol of democracy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: Ladies and gentlemen, institutions matter. They give legitimacy and ensure continuity, as Jean Monnet rightly said, they matter because they expand our capacity to act. They are a reflection of what we stand for. Let's look back to a moment, the Treaty of Rome confirmed the solidarity which binds Europe. It linked our fates forever.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: The Treaty of Maastricht. We called the historic importance of the ending of the division of the European continent. It helped heal our wounds. The Treaty of Lisbon made our Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: It entered our union in a better act of shared values and set the stage for the Europe we know today, founded on the values and democratic institutions, respected in global affairs and committed to improving the lives of its citizens. We all feel a deep attachment to the fundamental freedoms of liberty, democracy and the rule of law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: The Lisbon Treaty shines a light on these core beliefs. There is one treaty. We enforce our democracy by strengthening it the parliament's ability to steer a course for our union. The Lisbon Treaty also gave Europe a more powerful voice in general affairs by synchronizing Europe's foreign and security policy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: Today we can present a more unified face to the rest of the world. And to paraphrase former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, "I want Europe to be a player, not a play finch".

SOUNDBITE (French), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: Ladies and gentlemen, We are impatient today. There are so many challenges ahead of us : climate, the digital agenda, peace, security, defence. The ability to speak together with a strong voice on the international scene. More than ever, I share with you the belief that we have reasons to be confident, reasons to be optimistic.

SOUNDBITE (French), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: A new institutional cycle is beginning a parliament and which is here, which is mobilizes. Have I understood looking towards the future, ready to debate, ready to shoulder its full responsibilities? We know what we have to do together. We know the European Commission's programme.

SOUNDBITE (French), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: The prospect of a conference on the future of Europe, I think gives us an opportunity to roll up our sleeves together and work together on the basis of this new strength in Europe. Ten years on from the treaty, which I believe still has not shown its full potential. Let's look with confidence, optimism and hope towards the next 10 years.

SOUNDBITE (French), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council,: Never forgetting that we have to bear this European dream with realism, pragmatism. But in particular, with great determination to serve all European citizens, whatever their origin, whatever their nationality, whatever their beliefs. It will be based on these very strong values which underlie the whole construction and which create the very soul of Europe. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President,: Thank you. President, thank you to all of those of you who've taken the floor. The debate is closed and we'll just have a brief break for a couple of minutes. Thank you.