During the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg, Andrej PLENKOVIC, Croatian Prime Minister, debate the future of Europe with MEPs. This is the second in a series of debates between EU government leaders and MEPs reflecting on the future of the EU. Statements by Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, Croatian Prime Minister, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&D, AU) and GUY VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE).

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

WEIDENHOLZER, Josef (S&D, AT)

future of the European Union (T)

EU - Croatia (T)

PLENKOVIĆ, Andrej (EPP, HR)

The Future of Europe: extracts from the debate with Andrej PLENKOVIC, Croatian Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE (French), Andrej PLENKOVI&#262;, Croatian Prime Minister, They must feel all the advantages of Europe and play an active role in building Europe because first and foremost, is there interest at stake. The citizens must gain a clear understanding of the advantages of EU membership in their daily lives.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrej PLENKOVI&#262;, Croatian Prime Minister, The UK's exit is a result of populism and a campaign of disinformation which pointed to the consequences that the lack of information about the EU has on its citizens. I hope that the procedure in accordance with Article 50 will lead to an agreement on orderly withdraw to ensure legal security and clarity to citizens and business communities on both sides.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, We wish to see an enlargement in the Western Balkans. It is not that I want them to enter without fulfilling the conditions, however. They haven't met the conditions yet and some are far from that. However, we must stretch our hand to our partners in the Western Balkans and help them see through this difficult path, Croatia did overcome those difficulties.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Here in this House and all over Europe a lot of politicians from the extreme Right are telling the people, the only thing is your nation and to hell with Europe and to hell with Brussels. Politically, dear friends, this is one of the key questions we have to answer in the debate about the future of Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&amp;D, AU), Moving forward does not allow to be obsessed with the wars of the past. A European perspective for the Western Balkans is the right answer, our group is supporting this and the endorsement of the Commission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, Belgium), You need to involve the citizens. You need to give them the possibility to vote directly for a Spitzenkandidaten, not only a Spitzenkandidaten from that country but a Spitzenkandidaten from other countries, so all Europeans have to have this possibility and therefore, I think, it is necessary to embed the Spitzenkandidaten in transnational lists.

SOUNDBITE (English), GUY VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), We are all in favour, my group is in favour, for the entrance of these countries under the conditions set by the European Commission and in that respect I hope that Croatia can again with their Slovenian friends give the good example and find a fast-track solution for the border issue the fastest as possible based on the arbitrage that had been made.