MEPs debate on Cohesion's Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE), a new financial instrument that would help Member States and regions to provide emergency support to people fleeing from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. CARE is introducing the necessary flexibility in the 2014-2020 Cohesion policy rules to allow a swift reallocation of available funding to such emergency support. One round of political group leaders and statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. Thus transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please Check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

OMARJEE, Younous (The Left, FR)

NOVAKOV, Andrey (EPP, BG)

FERREIRA, Elisa (S&D, PT, EC)

PLUMB, Rovana (S&D, RO, S&D, RO)

MOŻDŻANOWSKA, Andżelika Anna (ECR, PL)

SOLÍS PÉREZ, Susana (Renew, ES)

ROOSE, Caroline (Greens/EFA, FR)

GEMMA, Chiara (ECR, IT)

PANZA, Alessandro (ID, IT)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Refugees in Europe: CARE - One round of political group leaders and statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), -

SOUNDBITE (English), Rovana PLUMB (S&amp;D, RO)

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Susana SOL&#205;S P&#201;REZ (Renew, ES), -

SOUNDBITE (French), Caroline ROOSE (Greens/EFA, FR), -

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Alessandro PANZA (ID, IT), -

SOUNDBITE (Polish), And&#380;elika Anna MO&#379;D&#379;ANOWSKA (ECR, PL), -

SOUNDBITE (French), Younous OMARJEE (The Left, FR), -

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Chiara GEMMA (NI, IT), -

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Yet again, the European Parliament must act quickly and resolutely. And it is urgent because, as you mentioned, many millions of people, women and children, are fleeing death, destruction, seeking shelter in Europe from the unprovoked and unjustified war that Putin launched on Ukraine, exactly one month from now today.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Europe and its people have responded with compassion and solidarity. All citizens and all European member states engaged in the effort. They deserve all of them, our full backing and support, and especially those bordering Ukraine. And acting as first responders in accommodating Ukrainian refugees. Today, we show that exactly we care for these people and, yet again, mobilized cohesion policy in a situation of unprecedented emergency.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, The care initiative offers flexibility to member states to use, in fact, cohesion funds to accommodate refugees, enable their access to education, to employment, to health care and, in particular, to child care. The response by all Europeans is heartwarming and inspiring. We have left no stone unturned to maximize the support to member states, offering shelter on European soil.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Yesterday, we proposed a three point four billion cash injection and the react EU, in fact, to further alleviate pressure on national budgets, especially in those member states most exposed to the refugee crisis, and with your precious support. Also, this money should reach those most in need without delay. In these dark hours, there are some rays of light.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, The bravery of Ukrainians resisting the aggression, the courage of the Russian protesting against this illegal war and the solidarity of anonymous Europeans welcoming those fleeing the conflict. Our political duty, our moral obligation, is in fact to continue to stand by them all.