Debate during the plenary session of July in Strasbourg on the Conclusions of the European Council (25-26 June) and of the Euro Summit (7 July) and on the current situation in Greece. Closing statements by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Donald TUSK, President of the European Council and Martin SCHULZ, EP President.

debate

plenary session

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

economic situation in Greece (T)

TUSK, Donald (PL)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

European Council meeting 25-26 June 2015 (T)

Conclusions of the European Council (25-26 June) and of the Euro Summit (7 July) and on the current situation in Greece: extracts from the closing statements

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, "I would agree with all of those who are saying that we must go back to the negotiation's table, that's where we belong; it was a mistake to leave the negotiation's table." Applause.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, "Because these negotiations took place behind closed doors, Mr Tsipras was able to say everything. I suggested and insisted that there should be a proper taxation finally." Applause. "The Commission suggested a defensive budget, the budget was fortunately accepted, nobody form the Greek delegation will be able to accuse me of not having stand up for the pensioners and those on minimum wages in Greece. I've always stood up against cuts in pensions. There haven't been cuts on pensions level that there would have affected the poorest pensioners. It's the same for the small salaries. There was no proposal willing to touch those on the minimum wages. As a consequence we have to say exactly what happened during the closed doors."

SOUNDBITE (German), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, "Seek help among your friends, and not among your enemies, especially when they are unable to help you." Applause. "If you want to help your friend in need, do not humiliate him." Applause. "Today we need unity, not because unity is a beautiful idea, but because it is indispensable, in order to take concrete decisions. Without unity on Greece we will wake up in four days in a different Europe. This is really and truly the final wake-up call for Greece, but also for us, our last chance. I want to inform you that the last chance procedure has just started. President Dijsselbloem received, while we are debating here, the formal Greek request for the ESM program, as we agreed yesterday. I hope that this is a good sign for tomorrow."

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President , "I've listened to all these different points of view and different conflicts we have around the table. I think we can say that this debate actually shows clearly that we've got a guideline for the future of Europe, and that the EP here can play a proper role in order to insure a proper European democracy in the future." Applause.