Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, expresses himself on the State of the Union during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

state of the Union 2015 (T)

State of the Union: extracts from the statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, President of the European Parliament, (On migration) This is also the time when the institutions of the European union can show all together that they are prepared to work together in the spirit of the European community and face up to the challenges that lie ahead.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, There is not enough Europe in this Union. And there is not enough Union in this Union.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, We have to change this. And we have to change this now. Work together to that end.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, We Europeans should know and should never forget why giving refuge and complying with the fundamental right to asylum is so important. The fundamental right to asylum is one of the most important international and European values and we should not forget that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER,  President of the European Commission, We are doing, we are legislating, and we are not implementing. it's a  matter of credibility that member states are implementing and respecting commonly agreed international and European laws.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER,  President of the European Commission, Just today, we launched a new programs to provide schooling and full security to 240,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey. And, by the way, I would like to applaude the efforts of Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, We have collectively committed to resettling over 22,000 people from outside of Europe over the next year, showing solidarity with our neighbours. Of course, this remains very modest in comparison to the Herculean efforts undertaken by Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, who are hosting over 4 million Syrian refugees. I am encouraged that some Member States are showing their willingness to significantly step up our European resettlement efforts.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, It is clear that the Member States where most refugees first arrive &ndash; at the moment, these are Italy, Greece and Hungary &ndash; cannot be left alone to cope with this challenge.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER,  President of the European Commission,  Today we are proposing a second emergency mechanism to relocate a further 120,000 from Italy, Greece and Hungary. This has to be done in a compulsive way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, It's 160,000. That's the number Europeans have to take in charge and have to take in their hands. And I really hope that this time everyone will be on beard. No poems, no rhetoric, action is what is needed for the time being.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, A unique symbol of European integration, this Schengen system will not be abolished under the mandate of this Commission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, But the other side of the coin to free movement, is that we must work together, more closely, to manage the external borders. this is what our citizens expect.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, We need to strengthen Frontex significantly and develop it into a fully operational European border and coast guard system. It is certainly feasible. But it will cost money. The Commission believes this is money well invested.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, The Commission today is proposing to establish an emergency Trust Fund, starting with &euro;1.8 billion from our common EU financial means to address the crises in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, the Horn of Africa, and the North of Africa.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, The crisis is stark and the journey is still long. I am counting on you, in this House, and on all Member States to show European courage going forward, in line with our common values and our history.