David SASSOLI, EP President, opens the press seminar for journalists from Member States "A new political agenda for Europe: the priorities of the European Parliament group leaders", organised by the EP Press Service, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Brussels

speech

interinstitutional relations (T)

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

seminar

2019 European elections (T)

functioning of the EP (T)

"A new political agenda for Europe: the priorities of the European Parliament group leaders" - EP Press seminar: opening remarks by David SASSOLI, EP President

Atmosphere inside the press seminar room (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, News from Africa are dramatic. There are 40-50 million people now suffering an unbearable famine. Women and men will move from there and this issue concerns Europe. We have to get ready not only with more effective cooperation strategies in Africa, but also in reception of people. We have to show that they can live with us.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Since 1953 we are waiting for an initiative on common European defence. After 70 years, It is time that our governments decide about it. But this is a matter for national governments and I believe that now we need this initiative more than ever. If we had it before, we would have better expressed our desire of peace and moderated some conflicts.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Regarding the EU budget there are three proposals: a 1% increase; a 1.1% increase and a 1.3% increase. By the point of view of the EP, the budget increase needed to fullfill the European agenda and what Mm von der Leyen had announced cannot be less than 1.3%

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, The great part of the European citizens requests to discuss the right of veto. Can a democracy go on with a veto right? No, neither a condominium meeting can. So we need to work on it.