Brussels, 08/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - During a plenary debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday 8 July, MEPs called on the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU to emphasise European unity and solidarity.
“What we need is an unshakeable resolve to preserve what is essential. The essential thing is the link between the nations, and between the citizens who live in those nations”, said Charles Goerens (ALDE, Luxembourg). “We are relying on your Presidency, as on those that will follow. Let's not allow our Europe to be given to the lowest-bidding federalists or to nationalists. What is ahead of us is the organisation of solidarity, sharing the load and the responsibility”, said Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. “Luxembourg has a tradition of moderation and of bringing attitudes closer together (…) There are enough people who want to leave (…) we need to make sure that those who stay, and who have always been there, find a unifying dynamic and not a dissonant one”, added Frank Engel (EPP, Luxembourg).
In the view of Gianni Pittella (S&D, Italy), the key word is “solidarity”. “We want a binding mechanism of solidarity between the member states [Ed: with regard to migration]. Solidarity also means taking the social chapter back in hand. Solidarity is implementing the investment plan for growth and jobs. Solidarity is working with the High Representative so that Europe can play a decisive role in the world. Solidarity means supporting the social economy, with our addressing the issue of our development model”, Pittella said. “What Europe needs is solidarity and social policy (…) We're looking forward to the new Presidency developing a social policy that will give a boost to the economy”, added Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE, Greece).
“The European Union software isn't working any more (…) Question yourselves. Question yourselves radically. That's what the people expect of you”, said Marine Le Pen (ENF, France).
Generally, MEPs highlighted the need to make progress on migration, data protection, passenger name records (PNR), climate negotiations, the transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement (TTIP), investment policy and fiscal policy, the digital agenda and resolving the Greek crisis. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)