17/05/2017 European Parliament

Tomorrow this parliament will vote against the persecution of... I call

upon the responsible people to protect potential victims. Use them

to honour international commitments on freedoms and fight against

discrimination. Today is the International Day against LGBT

discrimination. We must make strong commitment against discrimination in

the world, including those based on sexual orientation.

TRANSLATION: The setting is resumed. The first items on the agenda is a

statement from the council and commission of the European Council,

I give the floor to President Donald Tusk. Members of the European

Parliament, I would like to report the outcome of the first formal

meeting of the European Council of 27, which took place on the 29th of

April. Are main purpose was to adopt political guidelines for the Brexit

negotiations. The mandates which set out the overall principles,

objectives and process. Today the European Council update as Council

-- and the mandate, the European Council will update the mandate as

the talks get underway. This is based on a phased approach. This

means, simply, there will be no discussion of the framework for our

future relations with Britain before sufficient progress is made on

ensuring an orderly withdrawal. Leaders fully supported this logic.

To ensure an orderly withdrawal, we first and foremost need to address

the situation of more than 4 million people whose lives will be directly

impacted by Brexit. On both sides. In a very real way. -- real way, the

future depends on the outcome of those talks. It is our

responsibility to produce the best for citizens, the union and the

families. That means guarantees that are effective, enforceable,

non-discriminatory, and comprehensive. Accompanied by simple

and smooth administrative procedures. There is a need to act

quickly, and so we ready. Now we must move from shading objective to

ensuring that citizens get the necessary guarantees. That is also

why I welcome the fact that the commission has already listed a

number of detailed requirements. The second priority in the first

phase is the need to agree that all financial commitments undertaken by

the EU of 28 will also be honoured by the UK. And thirdly, in order to

protect the peace and reconciliation process described by the Good Friday

agreement, we must aim to avoid a hard border between the Republic of

Ireland and Northern Ireland. Only once there is sufficient progress on

these priorities can we proceed to the next phase of the negotiations

about our future relations. And it will be for the European Council of

27 to assess and decide if and when we have achieved sufficient

progress. When it comes to our future, the European Council shares

the UK's desire to establish a close partnership. It is obvious, however,

that a relationship between the European Union and a non-member

state cannot offer the same benefits as EU membership. It is clear that a

free-trade agreement between the EU and the UK, which is what the UK has

chosen, even if it is ambitious and wide-ranging, cannot mean

participation in the single market or its parts. And at the same time,

the UK must be aware that any free-trade agreement will have to

ensure a level playing field and encompass safeguards against unfair

competitive advantages through inter alia, tax, social, environmental and

regulatory measures and practices. Today, it is too early to tell much

more about our common future but we will make our guidelines more

precise when the time comes, namely when sufficient progress in the

first phase is achieved. Leaders responded with the urgency that the

situation requires. There will be very little time to conclude

withdrawal talks within the framework foreseen by the treaty.

Time is of the essence here and much is at stake. Next Monday, the

Council will adopt a set of negotiating directives proposed by

the chief negotiator on the basis of the guidelines we adopted an 29th of

April. These cover the three issues I have just mentioned, plus a number

of other matters that need to be addressed in the first phase of the

negotiations. Since the referendum in June last year, we, the EU 27,

have been united, consistent and demonstrated solidarity with one

another. What was and remains most important for me is that our conduct

in these talks will show the European Union at its best in terms

of unity, political solidarity and fairness towards the UK. Finally, I

can only praise the European Parliament and its leaders for the

role they have played. Thanks and appreciation for your constructive

assistance. This bodes well, not only for the future of the

negotiations, but our future as a union of 27. Thank you. APPLAUSE

TRANSLATION: Now I give the floor to Jean-Claude Juncker, the president

of the European Commission. The president of the European Council,

colleagues... And members of this house, I will speak in all three of

our important working languages. I will start in English,

congratulating President Task on last month's European Council. I

have attended more summits than I care to remember and never I have a

-- never have I seen agreement reached so quickly. I can assure you

this does not happen by accident. It is in fact testimony to the work of

all member states and all EU institutions, the work they have

done together since last June. Michel Barnier and his team have

been up and running across Europe, to make sure every voices heard. I

would like to pay tribute to him. I want to wish them luck for the

negotiations as I know he will leave nothing to chance. This is exactly

the same approach that President Task and I have always taken. The

Council conclusions from April and the calf negotiation and the

problems by the commission earlier this month are speaking for

themselves. I'm confident the draft mandate will be adopted by the

Council next Monday, 22nd of May. The process shows how united and

prepared the European Union will be. It underlines how deep is our

commitment to transparency already is. This is why I see no need for me

this morning to go into any more detail about the negotiations Michel

Barnier will do later this morning. This negotiation is now in the hands

of our capable divorce lawyers. Miss your the president... TRANSLATION: I

would like to underline that in the sidelines of this European Council,

we concluded three important agreements that confirmed it is

often in the sidelines that the best work gets done. The first agreement

between Denmark and Europol is particularly important for citizen

security because it will allow a sufficient level of cooperation to

be pursued, particularly in the exchange of operational data. The

second agreement is between Portugal and Spain about temporary deposit of

nuclear waste. And thirdly, the agreement with Slovenia and Croatia

to find operational solutions on the to find operational solutions on the

ground do have better territorial management and cooperation of the

Borders in the two countries. And in each of these negotiations, the

Commission put out a bridge between differing positions, pursuing

negotiations right until agreements were retrieved and without the

Commission, these agreements would not have seen the light of day.

People often say the Commission should deal with its own house and

not interfere in others' problems. However, if the Commission does not

deal with others' problems, they remain. These three agreements, I

think, speak much louder than fine words. Europe is a constant effort

to build bridges, to try to find agreements or come up with

compromises. That is the commission's mission, which it will

continue to pursue. I would like to warmly thanked the Parliament for

the constant support that you lend us in our mission. Presents ladies

and gentlemen, this unity which we have been able to demonstrate in the

Council will be our guiding principle during the Brexit

negotiations. This is in the interest of citizens and it is also

in your interests that we don't consider exclusively on the Brexit

issue but on the broader programme and we have to do that with the help

of the Parliament. The first half of the Commission's mandate, we, the

Commission, together with your Parliament, achieved a great deal.

Also because we were always able to sing from the same hymn sheet. We

did not only implement the investment plan very quickly... To

the tune of 1.83 billion in 28 member states. We have -- 100 83

billion. We have also set up the European border coastguard which can

help better protect our borders. Together with the trade agreement

with Canada, we have taken a major step forward. This agreement secures

jobs and makes it very clear that European standards and rules have is

to be applied at international level. These are three examples,

just to remind you that we can do a great deal with full forces. This

unity is key in our thinking and in our actions and that will continue

to be our motto in the second half of the commission's mandate. For

example, in connection with setting up a true single digital market. We

have tabled 35 proposals, some still need to be fine tuned. We need the

active cooperation of the Parliament 2%. The second half of our mandate,

which is also the second half of your legislature, we need to use

this time to deliver so that people can really feel that Europe is

contributing something and that is going to be tested at the next

European elections. Thank you very much. APPLAUSE

TRANSLATION: Thank you, Mr President. And good morning to

Michel Barnier, the chief Brexit negotiator. Let's now have the group

spokesman and firstly, the European people's party. TRANSLATION:

President and president in office, President of the commission, my

congratulations to you on taking such a rapid decision. My

congratulations to you on reaching such a rapid decision. I

congratulate first and foremost Donald task but equally, Michel

Barnier, who has been entrusted with the task of being chief negotiator

by Jean-Claude Juncker and he is doing an excellent job of

preparation. We are determined to remain united. We are resolute and I

what the EU 27 has done hitherto. We what the EU 27 has done hitherto. We

have been very clear as to the methodology we envisage. We feel

first of all, we need to discuss withdrawal, then we will move on to

discuss the future partnership. We have consistently said we are

against cherry picking. We have consistently said that a third state

cannot enjoy the same status as a member country. And we have a very

clear expectation which is that the expectations of the people of Europe

have got to be met which means that we have to take into account the

interests of the 78% of the people of Europe who have expressed this

view and therefore, the EBP is resolute in supporting -- the EPP is

resolute in supporting these basic principles, and other principles

like keeping families together. We are aware, having been in Ireland

last year, that families are affected by the border situation in

Ireland, and we want to be quite clear to the Irish that we are

behind them, that we understand the need for solidarity, that we support

them in giving them the certainty and assurance that they can be

together and supported by their family. We also look, in the context

of the Brexit negotiations, to the situation in Europe. Might I remind

you that at the beginning of the year, we saw the right, the

anti-Europeans, the alt right, saying this would of the world, the

birth of a new world, the birth of an entirely new set up. That member

is not here today but many of our supporters are not here today either

but I would like to say that we should cast our thoughts back and

think what we were told were having and see what is actually happening

now in 2017. Nigel Farage, for example, is now defending a party

which is politically dead in the UK. It is without leadership. Indeed, it

could even be said that he is not standing for Parliament and this is

a cowardly decision. It is clear that his policy has led to

constructing of borders. This is the threat which hangs over Northern

Ireland and Ireland, very clearly. It is also clear that whatever

discussions took place with Donald Trump, he has certainly discussed

many things, even if Donald Trump has now got so much more to do he

possibly does not have time to have any conversations at the moment. But

it is very clear that this line which has been espoused by Nigel

Farage and his followers is going to bring huge danger and indeed,

disaster for much of his country. If we cast our eyes back again, there

were expectations that Geert Wilders would win the election and that the

rise of the AFD and neo-Nazis in Germany which he huge problem for

Europe of the future. In France, the possibility was clear that the

victory of Marine Le Pen was a clear possibility on the cards, so we were

told, once again. She denied the need for respect of constitutional

law. Now she is supposed to be brought before the judiciary in

France. She can't even raising these years from her political family in

France. Half the French population is clearly prepared to state that

they are afraid of her policies. This is what remains of the populism

which was rearing its ugly head last year but now, look, it has failed.

It has been defeated and this gives us an opportunity for a fresh start,

to revitalise Europe. This is a very good balance sheet for the first

half of 2017. We have recently elected a new

French president, we can see that the new partnership between the new

leader of France and the German chancellorship is an excellent one.

We can see that the engine room of the European Union is functioning

strongly, we can see that we have good priorities, sound priorities

for the future of Europe, and finally I would like to say, we're

now seeing fresh impetus, the winds of change are blowing through Europe

and we need to capitalise on this and make sure that we make the

absolute most of it throughout the European Union. We need to

capitalise on the opportunities we have. Look at what is happening in

America, questioning of the Paris climate agreement. We have been the

vanguard of this movement, and thanks to the work of the

commission, we have achieved higher growth rates than America has in the

European Union. So great throughout Europe, we have achieved much. We

have proper medical insurance, and people who are unwell people have

access to health. While in America they are destroying Obama gear, and

millions of people cannot afford health care in the first place. We

have tried and tested proven achievements here, we have shown you

can achieve things through diplomacy. We have also shown you

can overcome crisis and we need to speak loudly and clearly about the

huge successes we have achieved. Thank you. Our next speaker. On

behalf of the Allies socialist Democrats. TRANSLATION: Thank you.

The speedy adoption of the negotiation guidelines for the

withdrawal of the UK is a good signal, a sign of unity, which we

contributed to with our resolution, helping in the drafting of our final

text. Who would have thought we would be split have got it wrong. We

now have a fear line as far as now have a fear line as far as

Brexit is concerned in the European Union, and an excellent negotiator

whom we fully back. We want a feed agreement protecting the interests

of citizens, which respects the rights and duties which derive from

our treaties and which will allow us to have the UK as our close partner

in the future, although of course it will never have the same benefits as

a full member state will have. We need to use the limited amount of

time available, and a timetable for negotiations in the guidelines is

vitally important. Mini to make sure we have an orderly withdrawal for

the UK and that it be marked by key progress on the most important

issues. We don't want anything to happen to imperil the peace process

in Northern Ireland, so we are very pleased with the guidelines of the

proposal for a directive and we need to protect all citizens of the UK,

no matter where they live work, whether it is the UK or the union.

We are talking about a series of interconnected issues, social

Security, the freedom of movement of workers, professional

qualifications, no discrimination and the whole thing under the

jurisdiction of the European Court of justice. Our Parliament is aware

that discussions with the UK cannot lead to an agreement of those

conditions are not met, and we are confident that no matter what

government the UK has after the UK elections, we will see constructive

negotiations which will be given soon, so to give confidence and

proper environment for companies in the UK and the European Union.

Parliament and our group at ready to contribute to this in a positive way

and we need to snatch the opportunity we have to breathe new

life into the European Union. We are proud of the European Union, but we

do not want to leave it at that. We want the commission and member

states to be bold, we want them to make significant progress along the

road which this Parliament has traced out. More investment, more

reform, more solidarity, more democracy. We are ready to go on

that avenger, and everyone needs to come with us. Thank you. On the half

of the European Conservatives and reformists, I give the floor.

TRANSLATION: Thank you, President, colleagues. Some things,

particularly in politics, words have their weight. And those we have

heard in the last weeks, it had been followed by facts, would have been a

huge blow in terms of relations between the UK and the EU. -- if

they had been followed by facts. This cannot be about revenge.

Whatever the opinions are in this chamber, there is one thing we have

to be very clear and unified on. It is in the interest of both parties

to arrive at a feed agreement today benefit of everyone. Citizens have

to be our priority. -- arrive at a fear agreement. We need to look at

rates on fundamental issues such as trade agreements because it is not

only regulations in terms of the relationship to the EU and a third

country at stake, but far more. What is at stake has direct impact on

jobs, lights, families, people, security, in a time marked by

various ongoing terrorist threats. We have to keep that in mind. It

will not be a Brexit stirred by rage on both sides. It is not about

punishment, it should be based on creating relationship with the UK

which allows us to review the way that the EU works and which allows

us to understand why British people felt they would be better off

outside the EU than with inept. And despite the results of the

elections, we should ask ourselves why millions of British citizens,

Dutch and French citizens as well, others as well, have felt it was

important to vote in such an anti-European Way. It think that is

the question we have to ask ourselves. It is time to look

ourselves in the mirror. It is not enough to simply continue business

as usual, but people want change, they want specific responses. So

basically now it is about taking this opportunity and negotiations

between London and Brussels to reflect and discuss about ourselves

and where the EU is going. In the ECR, for a long time we have been

stating it was necessary to review the treaties to come up with new

rules of the game to make the union more open and flexible. And now,

we're seeing the French President Macron, and the German Chancellor

Angela Merkel want to change the treaties. But that is not enough. We

need to say in which direction they need to be changed. If the direction

is less Europe, more flexibility, more tax competition, more

respectful national parliaments, then I think that is the right

approach, but if the direction once again is, as we fear, more Europe,

more rigidity, more tax harmonisation and more imposed from

top down from Brussels, that would be Permalink our future. Leg cutter.

Not think about -- let us think about how we can change, and renew

confidence in the future. This is the commitment we are taking. Thank

you very much. On Brexit, everything has been said, I think. We have a

mandate that is the unity of the position of the European Union of

the 27, of the three institutions, I think also everything is going well

with the negotiation directives that will be approved on Monday. So I

think there is only one thing to do now, to start the negotiations. And

to start them as fast as possible. We have to wait for the outcome of

the British election, but after the 8th of June, let us start. I would

like to talk about something related to Brexit, which is the future of

the European Union and the reform of the European Union, and because it

should be a mistake to put all their energy only in Brexit in the coming

years. At least the same energy, if not more energy, we have to put in

the reform, the future of the European Union. Three times in a

row, the nationalist and populist row, the nationalist and populist

have been beaten, in Austria, the Netherlands and in France. I think

that did not happen by accident. I think Brexit played an important

role in this. People all over Europe have been shocked by the decision of

Great Britain to leave the European Union. Do not misunderstand me,

people today are very critical towards the European Union, and for

good reason. What they do not want to do is what Britain did, to leave

the European Union. And it is very clear, Austria did not want an exit,

the French did not want a Frexit. We cannot make one mistake, and that is

to think no, it is over. Populism and nationalism have been defeated.

And I heard this reaction all too often in the European circles.

Relief that Marie Le Pen lost, let's go to the normal agenda and do

business as usual. But I think that one mistake we cannot make, that is

to think that people voted for President Macron for change, and not

the status quo. Not for a standstill. They voted for radical

change in France, but also in Europe. So the best thing to do is

to back his reformist agenda, but we all know now. And you Euro budget

with the Minister of Finance for Europe, with the

I think it is really time now to use this fix it negotiation for a new

vision and for a new future for Europe. In fact, a future that our

young people want, look at what is happening for Europe in more than

100 cities, overall in Europe, asking for more democratic European

Union. I call this audacity, and that brings me to paraphrase.

TRANSLATION: Boldness that we can save Europe.

behalf of the United European left. Thank you very much. I would be

delighted to be able to share this hope and conviction and optimism

about the saving of the European Union. I absolutely endorse the

principles, but the actual approach as to how we achieve it is something

I may need to beg to differ. It is true that we need to drop

confidences from the Brexit vote. The citizens voted, we need to

commit ourselves to what sort of European Union we want as a result

of this. We cannot just leave the shaping of the European Union up to

the government 's. We need to shape the European Union ourselves for our

citizens, and this is what is at stake, and what we must fight for.

This is why the negotiations on Brexit have got to be used for us to

make resoundingly clear that we cannot have a simplistic solution.

It would be all too easy to say we vanquish populism through the votes

in France and the Netherlands, but this cannot possibly be justified.

We have got to recognise there are still too many people who will

support authoritarian populism, and we have to counter this and we need

a strong counter narrative that shows the European Union has a value

of its own in, of and for itself, which is why we need to show that if

we aspire to protect the European Union, we have two constantly renew

that we need a Europe that meets demands of citizens, and if we do

not renew in this way, then Google fell. However positive our approach,

we will fail unless we take into account the expectations and wishes

of the people such as the trade unions, such as the trade unions

that spoke about social pillar of Europe. We need to build this for

them and build on the initial steps that have been taken, we need to

look at the implications of freedom of movement. It is a valid principle

in theory, but it has to work for the citizens in Europe, as the

supporters of work directives have to work. We cannot have a system

that only works for some citizens, and a situation where many cannot

even endorse the basic principles of the European Union any more. We need

a social Europe which transcends frontiers, then we can have a proper

European social policy, social pillar which will speak to our

citizens. This is what we should be

prioritising now. We've only seen initial steps towards this and have

not got anything like far enough yet and there are still far too many

counter movement is coming from the European member states, for example,

in the CSU, that is not in favour of paternity rights or certain

provision for older workers. This is a problem. We have got to have the

courage of our convictions and address these very fundamental

principles. We have been aware of the fact there were problems even

before Brexit. We have been aware of the fact that for example, young

people have aspirations and we are not delivering on them. There are

problems with, for example, being allowed to draw benefits in other

countries with child benefit and all kinds of other welfare provisions.

So we have got to resolve some of these difficulties and make sure the

system works for the people rather than against them. This is what I

said to you because this is a completely different approach to the

future of the EU from what you are recommending. Thank you.

TRANSLATION: On behalf of the Greens, now. TRANSLATION: Thank you,

Mr President. Colleagues, I am pleased that Parliament and Council

have managed to agree to a large extent on a negotiating mandate with

the UK, which is not revenge -based and is not naive. Of course, there

are a series of problems which will be caused by Brexit and a series of

priorities we need to address. Are we going to learn the lessons from

Brexit? I hope that is the case. We avoided the worst in the

Netherlands, Austria and France. Populist national forces, though,

are reaching considerable numbers of the people and are gaining electoral

success. Abstentions and spoiled ballots showed the extent to which

citizens have sounds confident in Europe and its institutions shaken.

This feeling of loss of identity, fear they will lose what they have

got, the recent success of the National front shows that

globalisation in particular and to let -- technological advances are a

major cause of the loss of income and the unfair, even illegal

distribution of wealth. Even if you look at what happens in Davos, in

the World Trade Organisation, even the European Commission, our

economic system is basically forgetting about a large number of

the citizens. But changes in technology and globalisation need to

work for everyone. So we need to do that, to train people, make them

employable, and also, we need to activate workers who are out of a

job. Alleviate the pressure, therefore, which forces people

towards those parties which live on fear. So people feel that this

cannot be stopped, that machines will replace human beings, but each

robot, as MIT has told us, that is installed and gets rid of seven

jobs, there is more casualisation of labour. Surely we need to rethink

the way work is organised completely as well as our financial system.

Let's have a robust social position which works for everyone and not

just shareholders. -- social possession. We cannot keep levelling

down. Even if that is what companies want. Globalisation should level up,

should improve social, environmental and democratic standards. If those

things happen, we will be able to show that we have learned the

lessons of Brexit. We will be able to show that we are not interested

in containing this wave, but we are pulling it back. That is the way our

citizens will get the trust and confidence back in Europe, if they

feel that their interests are being protected by us. We will be able,

therefore, to integrate more in the European Union. That is the only way

for us to get control of our destiny again. Thank you. APPLAUSE

TRANSLATION: The group Europa. Mr Freud. Imagine you invited a very

broad guest round for dinner and you made all the preparations, and there

were some imported, confidential conversations that needed to be had,

and you thought everything had gone well and yet, within hours, your

guest had told the outside world that you, the host, were deluded.

That you were living in a different galaxy. And then all the contents of

the conversation were blabbed to an opposition newspaper and to add

insult to injury, you say the food wasn't actually very good, either,

and then a few days later, in a display of extreme petulance, you

even deride the national language of the host which by the way, is

looking a bit silly because last Saturday's extravaganza known as the

Eurovision Song contest saw 90% of the songs sung in English. No, if

you were the host and you had been treated like that, by somebody you

thought was important and somebody you thought you could trust, I think

you'd be asking yourself, were you dealing with a reasonable person? I

don't know, Jean-Claude Juncker, whether this is how you carry on in

Luxembourg, I doubt it, because in any other part of the civilised

world, frankly, that behaviour would be considered to be rude and the act

of a bully. Well, I will tell you something, your attempt to bully the

Brits through this negotiation is not working. 68% now of the British

people want Brexit to happen. And all of that on top of a ludicrous

ransom that Michel Barnier wants, that I'm Todd has now doubled to 100

billion euros. -- I'm told has now doubled. Either we get some

grown-up, reasonable demands from the European Union, or the UK will

be forced to walk away for the end of this year. We can't spend two

years with this farce. There is a big world out there and I'm

beginning to think that perhaps, I very rarely agree with Marxists but

perhaps Yanis Varoufakis is right when he says about negotiating with

the EU. It is a technocracy that is desperately clinging on to its own

exorbitant and illegitimate power. You may have crushed Greek democracy

two years ago, but you ain't going to do it to us. APPLAUSE

TRANSLATION: The ENF. TRANSLATION: President, the special Council which

met at the end of April confirmed that European integration has bought

peace and prosperity to Europe. I wonder how many times the elite is

going to continue to peddle business because prosperity and wealth are

hardly what we have seen recently. There is unprecedented unemployment

and there is no prospect of improvement for all to many people.

Our frontier to the East is close to war because of what is going on in

the Ukraine and there is a dictator further east who is at large. There

is also a Brexit Road which has meant that the European Union will

be no longer be EU project. -- also a Brexit vote. I would rather see

the EU dismantle itself completely. What have we achieved? We have mass

immigration, closed frontiers, closed borders. We want to see

action taken. We want action against NGOs that are simply supporting

human traffickers. We want action on the Libyan coast and I would say to

you, closed the borders and take some action and resign. TRANSLATION:

Mr Wolf. Thank you, we now know how the EU 27 leaders plan to negotiate

with Brexit. On first glance, it appears reasonable but like

everything the EU says, on closer inspection, you can see the

malevolent intent of the EU that tempers no opposition to its

control. Like a playground bully, it says no member state can talk to the

UK separately, like an emperor, it grants in Spain a veto over

Gibraltar, and like a jilted spouse, it says the UK cannot go out and get

a new trade partner until the divorce is finalised or else. But

for those of us in this chamber who want to bully us, threaten us, or

demean us, may I remind you of the English poem by Rudyard Kipling

about a Norman King warning his son about taking advantage of the

English. "The Saxon is not like us Normans, his manners are not so

polite, but he never means anything serious, till he talks about justice

and right when he stands like an ox in the Faro, with his sullen eyes

set on your own and says, this ain't fair dealing, my son, leave the

Saxon alone". So when a French president says Brexit is a crime, we

will say we will not be imprisoned by your rudeness. When a Maltese

president says the UK deal must be an inferior deal, we will say, no

deal is better than a bad deal. And when a German president says that

without the EU, Britain cannot have its voice heard in the world, we

will say, listen to the sounds of a free Britain, an independent

Britain, and outwardly looking Britain, trading, growing and

expanding in the world, looking forward and not backwards. Thank

you. APPLAUSE TRANSLATION: The floor to Mr Royle.

TRANSLATION: Mr President, colleagues, the assessment of Brexit

is clear. It has to be done in orderly fashion and it has to

effective. However, I don't think the weight has gone so far could be

a model, Michel Barnier and the troops are prepared thoroughly, the

parliament, the Council and Commission have looked for common

ground and found it. It has been thoroughly prepared and very

specific. It has been pragmatic and it is formulated based on common

ground and that we will be strong in negotiations. If only we could do

that in other areas, people would have what they want. They don't want

a new dream or a new concept or any reforms. I don't believe that. They

want results. They want successful European policies. They want to see

that their concerns are being worked on by us as far as we can. Of

course, we can't solve everything, part of the responsibility lies on

member states, however, the precondition for the EU is that it

should help to find common solutions. I think the response to

Brexit and what people are actually calling for and going onto the

streets and saying that Europe is great and that the answer to that,

to come up with new plans and new regulation, is missing the point. We

need to deliver and we need to demonstrate that European policy can

help people's well-being in Europe and wealth. I think that is the

path. I think the start of the Brexit negotiations, in its

contribution, is sober and pragmatic. It is not hyped and even

the Brits grumbling here, I think despite that, we are showing this is

an excellent model for future cooperation. Now, you interrupted me

but you have allowed others to speak longer so let's have equal treatment

for all. TRANSLATION: We have to limit the speaking time. There is a

new card. Accept it. Thank you to imagine we often warned

that the translators have got it incorrect, but I know they got it

right when you used the word troops. If you did, I don't think it is an

appropriate word, when you talk as a German MEP, talking about

negotiating with Britain about their freedom and sovereignty, to use the

word troops, given the damage troops and wars have caused to this

continent. So were the translators correct, and if they work, please

withdraw the word troops. We have had enough troops and enough war on

you very much. TRANSLATION: If I you very much. TRANSLATION: If I

actually said that, then I certainly did not mean it like that and I

apologise. What I meant was the European member states and

institutions after work together, I did not mean any more than that. The

version-macro Mrs Rodriguez. One and a half minutes.

We have a clear line to deal with the Brexit, this is good news and

creates good conditions for our negotiators to start their work. We

can also devote more energy to deal with our own future. In both things,

concern with citizens should be our concern with citizens should be our

central focus. So when it comes, the road map for the future of the

European Union, the starting point European Union, the starting point

to define the road map is to build up a convincing social pillar,

addressing the concerns of our peoples, but particularly dealing

with the so-called revolution, we need to make sure they have a proper

contract and full access to social protection. We need to build up

welfare systems for the 21st century. We need to address every

citizen concerns when we set new trade agreements in order to protect

proper social and environmental standards. We need a new generation

of these trade agreements. We need to address citizen concerns when

managing migration and refugee managing migration and refugee

crisis, we know that the real solution for this is to address the

root of the problem by supporting neighbourhood development and peace

building. All of this must be translated into the future. Our task

is immense. That's why we should work now with a real focus on a

scenario, which is not one or two or five, it should be a simple one,

let's work together for much better solutions on the relevant

priorities. TRANSLATION: Thank you, Madam President. To date, I will

follow example and speak in French. The UK wants a fair, serious

partnership with the European Union. We want an overall agreement dealing

with economic relations as well as security matters, we want the

European Union to behave well and do well after we leave. We want to

protect the rights of European citizens, who are currently residing

in the UK and we are convinced that our partners also want to protect

the rights of British citizens living in Europe. As far as payments

are concerned, we will of course meet every legal requirements. But

you really shouldn't dream up these enormous figures and boost your

coffers. We don't want controls at the border between Northern Ireland

and the republic, nevertheless it is difficult to understand how it would

work, since we don't even know what kind of trade relations we were

having. The sooner we begin the negotiations early trade agreements,

the more likely it is that they will be crowned with success. Let us work

together to build a new relationship that benefits all our citizens,

thank you. APPLAUSE

Liberal group. 5 million European citizens are living their life in it

frustration. It is the state of anxiety for thousands of EU and UK

citizens with 7% reporting depression, some even suicidal. This

is intolerable. The two parties in Brexit need quickly to agree to

guarantee EU citizens rights to reside. This is about treating

people with dignity, and allowing them to plan their lives, their

learning and their loves. The British Government must stop blaming

and start acting governmental. No calculating, no posturing, it the

right out of the gate on the heads of agreement. All that is needed is

one bold and generous political act and British agencies must tear down

the barriers they have erected, which are causing daily frustration

and fear for so many people. Outside the convention of nothing is agreed

till everything is agreed, we need a comprehensive right to reside

agreement first and we need that very, very quickly. Thank you. The

council's guideline on Brexit give support to be Good Friday Agreement

in all of its parts and that is crucially important. This is a

commitment by the EU to not allow for any hardening of the border

between the north and the size of Ireland. It is the commitment not to

allow Irish and EU citizens, like myself, to be dragged out of the EU

against our will. It is a recognition that the north of

Ireland is not an internal matter for the United Kingdom, and a

commitment that the people of the North will never again be left in

mercy of a ruthless and reactionary British Government in London. Now

that we have the guidelines, we should be beating some flesh on

them, regarding no hardening of the border in Ireland and fully

upholding the good Friday agreement and all of its parts. There should

be no weakening of this commitment in a negotiation directive that is

to be adopted next Monday. Brexit is incompatible with the Good Friday

agreement. It is the worst thing to have happened in Ireland since the

last disaster in Ireland, which was the British partitioning of Ireland.

Miss Anderson, will you accept a new card? Thank you for taking my blue

card. As someone who does not want to see a hard border on both sides

of the Northern Irish border, as you know my family are Irish citizens,

my wife's family, I understand the motion that runs around this place,

but surely, surely we need to look back to the Common travel area

agreement which was first made between the Republic of Ireland, UK

and indeed the other islands across the British Isles. The first one was

made just after the birth of the Irish free State. Why can we not

negotiate a new Common travel area after Brexit and surely on a

bilateral basis? We don't need to worry and have concerns for people.

The special relationship I believe is between Britain and Republic of

Ireland. Can I say to you that the Common travel area does not resolve

the Brexit disaster that will happen in Ireland and you should know that

better than most. So be very clear, you talk about renegotiation, Tony

Blair last week topped about renegotiating the Good Freddie

Agreement. That is a no go area and the Common travel area does not

solve the problem. You are deluding yourself if you think that is the

solution. The only solution to the Brexit problem is that we have

designated special staters for the North within the EU or Irish unity.

Thank you. Mr Smith, one minute. Thank you. I pick up on your point

about how Eurosceptics and populace have been beaten three times in

recent elections, actually it is four. In Scotland we saw them of

having -- handsomely. In favour of remaining with the European family

and we remain in favour of remaining with our European family and

Scotland will not be silent, passive bystanders within this process. I

would also urge you that ready people of Scotland want to work with

their friends and colleagues across the EU, there is a deliberate wilful

agenda within UK politics to misrepresent and demonise this

process and the personalities involved within it, we have heard it

today. Don't give them more ammunition, don't give them what

they want. This is them getting their excuses and early. Brexit

would have gone great except for those blooming foreigners. Don't

give them what they want, it is not in Scotland's name. On the

guidelines, I read them with a heavy hard but I see little to dislike. I

would urge the suspension of the everything is agreed principle for

Citizen's right. You could give real impetus to this by committing to an

early agreement on this issue, we could make that work there for all

of citizens. Thank you. Transition that thank you, Madam chair. In this

chamber, there is a motive lingering that the most difficult conditions

for the UK to exit the EU. We remember the times when Lithuania

had expressed their willingness to become independent and Lithuanians

also wanted to exit the soviet union in an orderly fashion. There were so

many things being discussed that billions of years the unions owed to

the soviet union and the liabilities they had caused the Soviet Union and

we are very much surprised with the attitude of the European Council.

What logic to we have to demand the UK to keep with all its

international liabilities and commitments? Which Wendy became any

EU member state. TRANSLATION: The withdrawal of Britain from the

European Union is something that should be negotiated between adults

and yet too many people are behaving in a child's playground fashion.

Throwing stones in the direction of the UK and issuing threats. This is

not the way to show political maturity. It is important to

referendum. You talked about page referendum. You talked about page

two parties. Some of what he said fits better with the Greens than

with the PPP. But it is clear that in the Netherlands, there was a big

vote. 34% of people in France voted for Mrs Le Pen. Was excluded from

the final race because of corruption suspicions. We cannot continue in

this way. TRANSLATION: Despite the expressions

of optimism about the future of the European Union we have heard this

morning, the picture is not a good one. We are hearing about the

ability of the EU to withstand international competition from China

and the United Kingdom when it leaves. The UK might leave it before

its bill is finally settled, that would work in the interests of the

people of Europe. -- that would not work. Either we would serve the

monopolies that run the European Union and it wouldn't help the UK

either. It's important we see what happens with British British capital

after Brexit and we make sure the interest of the European -- British

people. It is only through overthrowing capitalist power and

freeing ourselves from the European Union and Nato that we can have a

proper union for the interests of people will be served.

TRANSLATION: We can clearly see what the consequences would be in Ireland

of Brexit to a country which became a symbol of reconciliation and

success of joining the EU. Ireland is a good case study of unintended

costs of Brexit, but it is also the tip of the iceberg. Each and every

country has its own Brexit agenda, there are consequences from

Gibraltar to Poland for our country, what is important is the lives of

Polish citizens who are living in the UK and the and a becoming

victims of Brexit. I am happy that the EU 27 have quickly found a

negotiating platform, a good sign of unity when facing this huge

challenge that the Brexit is. Now we are estimating our costs, but not

only costs, like you said, now in 2017, we are looking at what the

future with more optimism. There are fewer and fewer Brexit followers and

more and more people who understand the role and the strength of Europe

in the world. Thank you. The European Council guidelines set out

much more clearly than anything the British Government has produced what

the issues are in these negotiations. We still don't know,

it nearly a year after the referendum, what the British

Government hopes to achieve in terms of access to the single market and

the customs union, in terms of how it intends to protect British

farmers, if they are no longer part of the Common Market with an agreed

system of subsidies across Europe, what's going to happen to British

fishermen, we don't know what's going to happen to British

participation in the various technical agencies, the aviation

agency, the medicine agency, chemicals and so on. His

certifications are a requirement for selling in the single European

market. We only have silenced in the British Government. Yet, there are

nearly a thousand issues, more than that, that need to be settled in

this negotiation. We still don't know what the British Government's

intention is. Far from providing strong and stable leadership, Mrs

May is actually providing desperate and a deluded leadership to the

British people. APPLAUSE

TRANSLATION: One minute. TRANSLATION: Since the Brexit vote,

we have seen on both sides of the Channel that people's views are

becoming more entrenched. People are taking up a position and the people

you hope might have been reasonable are simply fuelling the fire and

fanning the flames. I'm thinking among other things of commission

President Juncker. The reality Brexit will be very tough for many

individuals. It is not just a question of the tug of war of

negotiations. For years, it has been a question of jobs and unemployment.

But I would like to give you the example of fisheries which might be

said to be a small sector but could actually be one where the situation

for coastal communities and many families is disastrous. 50% of the

Dutch fishing is done in British waters and access has to be

guaranteed for their livelihood to be guaranteed. The European Union

should be there for the people. It is not a case of the people being

there for the interests of the union. Let's all be constructive and

try to come up with a rational and reasonable compromise. After 29, we

desperately needed. All of us. MEP Weber said the winds of change are

buying three Europe. I don't disagree with him. Changes on the

way. The representative from the easy mentioned change and so have

others. Apparently, there is a process underweight to decide what

that change will be, called the White Paper on the future of Europe.

However, to know what the winds of change are and what direction they

are going in, you must consult with the people. We were told last March

we would be consulted with. We were told that there would be a series of

future of Europe debates to harvest and harness the opinions of the

desired way forward. Last week, I Met Commissioner Hogan, he knew

nothing about this progress. Yesterday, I asked Jean-Claude

Juncker at a meeting, where is the process? No one can tell you. If the

winds of change are coming, surely we should talk to the people?

Perhaps Donald Tusk can tell me where will these meetings take

place? When will the consultation take place? Because if you are

serious about it, you have to talk to us. Have you any news because no

one can tell me. Thank you. TRANSLATION: Mrs Atkinson. Everyone

seems a bit embarrassed by Mr Juncker and his chief of staff,

including Donald Tusk, Mrs Merkel and Mr Bonney. You also think that

we are being observed by other planets, you are quoted in the

French press, because I can read French. You accuse Mrs May of living

on another planet but I think it is you, Mr Juncker, living on your own

planet. You are an embarrassment and you should step down. Mr Corbett

praises the EU for their negotiating stance but nobody is listening to

his leader back at home. You are going to be annihilated in the

polls. You know, you are being run by a Marxist so... Mrs Beard sounds

quite mad, completely and utterly mad and her party is going to be

wiped out at the next general election. But the good news is that

70% of the British public support Brexit. We are a resilient bunch. We

want well for you -- we won the war for you in World War II. Thank you,

Madam, come to waking vision, please. The reality will take place

with the EU 27 and business because business... Thank you, Madam, could

you conclude, please. I am sorry, you have overrun your speaking time.

You need to conclude. You know love to have the microphone. Thank you.

The next speaker, please. TRANSLATION: Thank you, Madam

President, there is no such thing as a happy divorce but it might be less

painful if the two sides behave with fair play. Theresa May's government

I think understood this in Council. Their representative abstained on

measures which would be applied after 2019. Bit by bit, though, they

are putting vetoes on two issues which are crucially important for

the union and the union alone, the revision of the MSF has been

postponed, and recently the UK minister opposed the creation of a

general European headquarters. This had been thought about for many

years and it would be the first step towards a Europe of defence. Why

would they want to weaken the union when they are leaving it? Our joint

interest is to have a strong European Union, with the UK as a

strong, privileged partner. If this happens again, the 27 will have to

learn to work together, not just when it comes to negotiating Brexit

but on all matters which will no longer be relevant for the UK. It is

not a good thing for either side. Thank you, Madam President.

TRANSLATION: President, colleagues, isn't it astounding how offended

some of the British colleagues, particularly on the right side of

the house, claimed to be, because they are saying that the EU

politicians are attacking the UK and offending it is to mark I don't

think that is the case. I myself and I think this applies to many

colleagues are always completely shocked about how unprepared and

irresponsible the British politicians in the Brexit camp are,

dealing with negotiations, and are not prepared to tell the truth to

the British public, in other words, that you can't keep all the

advantages of the EU and leave it at the same time. It is very simple if

you think about it. However, for the Brexit camp, it is still far too

complex. Now the situation is such that the British government is

taking the MFF commitments hostage because the 6 billion euros are now

being called into question. I hope that the UK Government will stick to

its word and will allow this positive decision to go ahead after

the election that put this on the agenda. I call upon the British

government not to take the MFF negotiations hostage. TRANSLATION:

Mr Nicholson, one minute. Thank you very much indeed, Madam President.

Can I first of all say I welcome very much last week Mr Bonney's

visit to the Republic of Ireland -- Mr Michel Barnier's visit to the

Republic of Ireland and his assessment of how difficult the

process is going to be. Let us be under no illusion, solving the

problem of the border, be it hard or soft, in Northern Ireland and the

Republic of Ireland, is going to be massive. Be under no illusions about

that. But I welcome the attempts and his clear spelling out the problem.

What I want to also make clear is that politicians in Dublin, nor

Brussels, do not speak for the people of Northern Ireland. Northern

Ireland will speak for itself and they will decide for themselves.

They are an integral part of the UK and they will decide where the

future will be and nobody else and none of this process will do so

either. When I make that very clear, I do that with a degree of

sincerity, so everybody understands where we stand. But I'm extremely

concerned at the way in which this process is going and very concerned

that we now have megaphone diplomacy across being dishtowel dishrag

across the English Channel, instead of looking at how we will solve

these problems in the future between us. We want good relations between

the UK and the rest of Europe and I sincerely hope that both sides can

realise that as this process goes forward and works to achieve that.

Translation TRANSLATION: It is not possible to

talk about Brexit as if those who are in government were not

responsible for it because it is actually a direct result of the

policies pursued by Mr Cameron but also Mrs Merkel and Mr Juncker, and

the grand coalition that has been governing Europe. It is austerity

policies in the UK which meant labour reform, university fees and

more privatisation of the NHS. It is basically institutional racism also.

Depicting immigrants as responsible for all of the woes of the country.

The issue now is what the impact of Brexit will be on business but for

real people, for us, the implications are other and we are

concerned about guaranteeing the rights of Spaniards and many other

nationals who are working in the UK and also, those people from the UK

living and working in other EU countries. That is what we are

concerned about and about guaranteeing the rights of workers

cross-border and people who are working in Gibraltar. TRANSLATION:

On the 4th of December last year, chairman, the extremists were

defeated in Austria. In March, it happened in the Netherlands and it

has just happened in France. No matter where it happens, it is

important who we beat, we beat the people that think people from other

member states are foreigners, people who want to build walls and close

borders, we beat the people who are complaining on the basis of fear and

hatred. The idea of a free Europe is a left right thing, it is not social

democracy or progressives or conservatives, what will free Europe

is Europe against anti-Europe. There are going to be elections in

Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. Let's learn the lessons,

let's change the Europe of the institutions for a Europe of

well-being, security, the rule of law, legal migration, plurality of

the media. Too often we have confused Europe with its

institutions. It is not its institutions, it is much more. The

time of institutional inertia is over and Brexit put paid to that.

TRANSLATION: Thank you. We note that Brexit was a victory for populism

and demagogues and there are members here in the house who also

contributed to misleading citizens. They said national interests were

much more important than anything else. And Brexit has split society

but we need to overcome that because if, as before, you look for enemies,

you will never be able to heal these wounds. After the 29th of April, I

think we got a clear picture of what the negotiations will look like, and

how the two phases will pan out. I would like us to maintain close

relations with the UK and also, the integrity of the single market and

the fundamental freedoms that should be maintained. But in particular,

what has to be clarified is the rights of EU citizens in the UK and

conversely, the UK citizens in the EU because they have been working

under a great deal of uncertainty now in terms of social rights,

labour rights. These have to be granted on the basis of reciprocity.

If that isn't possible, we won't be able to cooperate. TRANSLATION: I

would have liked to see the UK staying in the European Union but

the decision of the citizens is sovereign and must be respected but

we must remain close to them because we need to stand together in the EU

and the UK, to face the many challenges together, the economic

challenges, through to terrorism. Therefore, it is essential that we

address first the rights of the former European Union, as Donald

Tusk said, the people who were both sides of the channel will be first

and most affected by Brexit but we need to stand behind all our

citizens going forward and we therefore need to return to the

origins of the European Union. We need to renew the pact we made with

our citizens, a pact for peace, prosperity and solidarity. Today, we

see far too many big egos and egotism jostling and jockeying for

position. We need to be aware of the fact that we're living through a

historic moment in time. The decisions we take today will have

huge impact in the future. Therefore, we need all the courage

we can muster. TRANSLATION: Thank you. We are

talking about a Brexit and we can remember the use EU bashing was a

favourite pastime in the UK, we were favourite pastime in the UK, we were

responsible for everything that went wrong and now apparently the EU

wants to punish the UK. Well, of course, we will understand the

concerns of a lot of people being able to travel, study, work in

Europe is one of our major achievements and may we are suddenly

seeing that wouldn't be possible because you are leaving, the single

market, leaving the area of EU free movement out of joint research

programmes, out of comment fighting against crime and terrorism. Yes, of

course you can cancel a contract. However, the commitments I still

ongoing. But this is not a punishment, rather we are just

telling you the truth about what the consequences are of the decision

that basically says we want out, we want out from the EU and therefore

out of all areas. And that is why I would say to may, please finally put

an end to this negative things going around. Tell your citizens the truth

because then we will have a proper fresh start for future relations

between the EU and the UK. Thank you very much. One minute. TRANSLATION:

President of the commission, president of the Council, ladies and

gentlemen last week I was in Northern Ireland in Belfast and I

had a number of discussions with people in a civil society and I have

learned from that week has perplexed people are and how worried and

aligned they are about the potential consequences of what is happening. I

pray that there will be some greater measure of realism in the minds of

those in London in the wake of the election and they will realise that

a hard Brexit would be a disaster for the people of Britain, in

particular for Northern Ireland. It is absolutely essential people are

prepared to have constructive discussions and shoulder the

responsibility which are the surely should in terms of citizens rights

and contributions and the applications of the border in

Ireland. We need a constructive agreement and realism above all in

order to limit the damage for both parties and to avoid nationalist

escalation of the rhetoric. We have heard and we have seen it Europe can

actually win elections, for example Emmanuel Macron is an example of

that. You can win elections on a European platform and this is why we

have all got to come together and make the Macron operation a success

to take us forward. I have a huge long list of people wishing to

speak, so please stick to your speaking time. TRANSLATION: Thank

you, Madam chair. Of course I agree with the fact that the problem for

the EU is Brexit. There are also other challenges and priorities we

need to face. We need to realise that it has not gone away from our

lives, it is still with us. Also, we need to stick to the for basic

freedoms that underpinned the EU. We need to make sure the Arab

vigorously applied in all areas of life and one of the biggest

challenges for all of us is common security and common defence.

External borders that are still porous and migration that is still

present at our external borders. And last but not least one of the

biggest challenges is also partnership with countries in our

neighbourhood. Thank you. TRANSLATION: One minute.

TRANSLATION: Thank you. We are all unhappy about Brexit but let's be

realistic. Being too tough shouldn't lead us to a selfishness over the

common good. It is more than just the interests of individual member

states of the UK, they should never win out in the negotiations and if

we're going to do this properly we should do it any transparent way and

as a single package. We need to keep close links with the UK, but let's

be careful about the message we sent out. The four freedoms of the EU,

you can't simply pick and choose which ones you respect. A country

outside the EU can't enjoy the same rights and advantages as the member

states. The negotiations could have a transitional system as well. But

prolonging such a thing for too long wouldn't help the interests of the

European Union and without any desire for revenge, it needs to give

a clear lead as far as bidding activities are concerned.

TRANSLATION: Once again, we see Mr Tusk and Mr Juncker, we hear what

they say and we are talking about the same policies, business as

usual. Mr Tusk and Juncker, I hope you are listening to the voice of

the citizens, particularly young people strongly criticising the

hypocrisy and bureaucracy of Brussels and the European and world

establishments. People are calling for a change in the productive

model. We want to make sure that the European Union is a fairly allotted

and distributed. We want to make sure that jobs are created for

millions of poor people in Europe. Listen to the voice of the European

solidarity, a Europe of Nations, the Fatherland and Motherland, something

which serves the interests of its member states and its peoples, not

the banks and lenders. A Europe that supports the social aspects and uses

globalisation but rejects Q-Tip which will marginalise millions of

citizens in Europe. TRANSLATION: Thank you, President. I think we all

regret Brexit is happening. I think people should think about what

Europe actually means. It isn't only the UK that was googling what the EU

is about and what it means, we have seen many pro-EU movements amongst

people that we as politicians could have triggered. People in Germany

Europe. He has just said that Mr Europe. He has just said that Mr

Macron has won an election in Europe and I would like to pick up on what

you said, it is true that there shouldn't be any punishment of the

UK and that isn't the case at all. Nevertheless, exit has to be toughly

negotiated. The truth has to be told, because before the referendum

Brits were not told the truth about the potential impacts of Brexit. For

that reason, I think it's essential that we continue to have peaceful

relations with one another in the future. TRANSLATION: Thank you,

Madam President. The decision of the British people needs to be respected

without any fear and negotiation should begin soon. The European

Union and the UK needs to sort out issues such as social rights, what

has been achieved by workers in terms of their rights and these

things should not be undermined. It's important we guarantee all the

rights of European citizens who reside and work or live in the UK or

study in the UK. We need to make certain that the agreement is

respected for Northern Ireland as well and the decision for Brexit

needs to be respected by the European leaders. We need to make

sure that the lesson to be voice expressing their discontent with the

meal liberal policies and what is happening to work's rights in the

member states. That is why we mustn't use Brexit as an excuse to

try to bring in more neoliberalism and bring in a proper Europe of

peoples. TRANSLATION: Thank you, Madam President. The negotiations on

Brexit will give the EU the chance to protect the rights of the

approximately 3 million citizens who reside, study or a work in the UK.

These people are afraid that they might be punished. It's important

they are protected, they shouldn't be chased out after the transitional

period. They need to know they will have a future in the UK. The same

thing goes of course for British citizens living in other parts of

the EU. On a certain positions I have heard this morning, the

so-called nationalists, they say, who have gained ground in the

elections and have often seen their support double, that is a strange

way of using mathematics to come up with figures such as that.

Pythagoras wouldn't recognise this kind of thing, perhaps that should

have some sort of mathematical Brexit. Thank you very much. I

welcome the conservatory reproach I have detected here this morning and

if you continue with that, I think we can have mature and sensible

negotiations and a proper conclusion. I would also like to

thank Mr Barnier coming to Ireland last week and for taking time out to

speak to us all, the Irish Parliament. In relation to the

North, if the European Union, if Ireland and the United Kingdom do

not want to have borders, then why should we have a hard border? I just

want to correct one thing. It has been incorrectly stated that Tony

Blair said we needed to renegotiate the Good Friday Agreement. What he

said was that the Good Friday Agreement came into being on the

assumption that both Ireland and the UK would be in the European Union.

And we needed to reword this when the UK leaves. He did emphasise he

wasn't talking about changing the substance of the agreement. Thank

you very much. APPLAUSE

TRANSLATION: Mr Task, Mr Juncker, there is no point complaining about

Brexit. We've got to be able to do our own business at home. There is

no point saying we didn't have an exit or Frexit, because in the UK

there has been huge growth of the right against the EU because of the

campaign. The pro-Europeans were very weak in the turnout, but there

is a simple reason, that is because the EU supported or turned their

backs to be citizens. But we need to come up with the millions of EU

citizens living in the UK and want their rights to be protected and

then the UK citizens living in the rest of Europe, many in Spain. I

think many young Spaniards working in the UK who would like the EU to

protect their rights, because otherwise the threat is just a

growing disconnection of young people and citizens and that will

leave the EU without prospects. TRANSLATION: Brexit is a big blow

for the European Union because it has shown us that most people can't

be persuaded by European funds and by tourism or by the positive

narrative of NGOs. The result of the referendum was very sobering and in

the wake thereof, there have been very sobering words. I would like to

see a rational approach if Britain is leaving the European Union, it is

not leaving the geographic continent of Europe and therefore we need to

have a form of cooperation which will be conducive to a good result.

We must not engage in blackmail, we must not engage in point scoring, it

will only be to the detriment of our citizens. TRANSLATION: The worst

things will happen if people don't prepare for them properly and we can

now see people saying that there is political support for the European

union by the people because of the recent result in France but the

pro-European parties were strongly punished by the electors. They are

just trying to perpetuate the same tired old policies, sooner or later

they will need the fate of their predecessors. As far as the advance

of the extreme right is concerned, you should measure it in terms of

the electoral success of the parties, but also the way that their

principles and values are now being assimilated by other parts of the

right or even social democracy. Accepting the reduction of rights,

changing economic conditions to serve the interest of big capital,

except. The alternative to the extreme right isn't and can't ever

be policies which opened the door to the extreme right. Thank you.

Today, I have sat in the European Union trade room in Strasberg

listening to the conclusions of the blink at a meeting on the 29th of

April busy and quite rightly, the level of England's displayed in the

comments made by MEP colleagues has been astonishing and also

frightening. But I am not surprised. As a member of the European Union

constitution committee, all I see and hear is the 1% perspective of

pro-EU and Pina lies the United Kingdom. There is never any balanced

or nonpartisan exploration of the Brexit aspect. The contribution the

UK makes financially, defence and security wise, or why the vote went

the way it did. 68% of the UK now want Brexit concluded. I have every

faith that after due the eighth, the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, will

deliver and put the UK, its citizens, its economy, rightly so

and in the forefront of this. TRANSLATION: Thank you. Donald has

started by saying something that I very much like. -- Donald Tusk

started. Meena Lee that 4 million EU citizen should not suffer, and I

think that is the right approach. Secondly, it is true that the

agreement between the EU and the UK should not be about punishment. It

is very important that the EU single market should not suffer because of

the agreement. It has to be a win-win agreement so that businesses

in the EU don't suffer. President Juncker went to my country and

showed that we have a pro-European country. We need a trade agreement

that helps all participants. Citizens who voted in favour of the

union in the UK also should not be punished because if all UK citizens

wanted to exit, that is not true. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think

it's very simple, the best trade agreement for the UK is membership

of the EU itself but they have excluded that options are we have to

find a fair deal now for everybody. I think it is very important that

the EU is reflecting the future of Europe and we must deliver better

and take people's concerns much more seriously. First, we need to end

social dumping in Europe, ensuring decent salary and also workers'

rights throughout the union. Secondly, we need to end tax

dumping. We see multinationals, rich people evading taxes on a scale that

is damaging the welfare state in Europe and finally, we also need to

transit our economy, our society, to become sustainable, responding to

the climate challenge and also ensuring our environment and also

ensuring that we manage migration and our welfare state in a much

better way. If we do that, we will have a stronger union and I hope the

UK will be in a close relationship with us but I think they punish

themselves by saying no to becoming part of Europe. Thank you so much.

APPLAUSE President, I don't question the need

for negotiations on a basis that we are not setting out to punish

Britain. On the other hand, we have to be realistic. We have to keep

things in proportion. Everything comes at a price. Threats come at a

price, mistakes, the price and in the cause of European history, we

have seen that you have to pay the price in those events. During the

course of the Brexit negotiations, we must ensure that principals

prevail and that means that the citizens' interests have to be

respected first and foremost. Translation.

respected first and foremost. version-macro last speaker.

President. Citizens of the UK President. Citizens of the UK

decided to leave the European Union. Obviously, it varied from part

depart, Scotland and Northern Ireland did not vote in that way. --

it varied from part to part. So this could be problematic, which is a

great pity. But we also need to look at the role that certain bodies

played in this. We need to fight extremism. We need to make sure that

Ukip, which has played a pernicious role in all of this, it doesn't

really reflect the interests of the UK and let's Hope Michel Barnier, as

negotiator, that we need to protect the European institutions, it is

also important to protect the rights of citizens, particularly when it

comes to freedom of movement. Thank you very much. TRANSLATION: Michel

Barnier on behalf of the European Commission. TRANSLATION: Thank you,

President. I would like to thank all of you, burst, I would like to thank

your Parliament, not only the president but also missed a half

start, earlier, for the trust you have expressed in my task and for

the spirit of cooperation that is very clear between us. And as well

as thanking the Parliament, I would like to personally thank President

Donald Tusk. As Secretary General of the Council, because ever since the

start, well, it is not my chance -- by chance that we were able to reach

such a rapid agreement the other day. It is because we have been

cooperating, working very hard together in a determined way. I

think that is how we are going to ensure unity throughout the whole

way. President Abbott, the first two places trusted me, recommended to

the European Council through the negotiating guidelines that the

council should adopt detailed guidelines, also governing the

method of negotiation. On the 22nd of May, the General affairs Council

will be endorsing these guidelines. President Donald Tusk said very

clearly how the council, under his authority, will have a phased and

sequenced approach. He said very clearly that firstly, we need to

agree on the principles, the three major issues, on which the sovereign

decision of the UK to leave the EU today is creating a great deal of

uncertainty in. We have to remove that uncertainty as soon as

possible, first for the citizens, for the beneficiaries of the EU

budget and also for the Borders, in particular in Ireland. So the

sequencing is not there to create problems or to hand out punishment

to the UK. But the sequencing is there to solve the problems and to

treat them in the right order, as the treaty states, it talks about

organising and ordered withdrawal, taking into account the future

relationship and an orderly withdrawal is precisely these three

major subjects as well as some others, like the governance of the

agreement or the administrative and judicial matters. However, there is

another matter I would like to say as a negotiator, that the agreement

is there to create a foundation of trust. We have to make sure that is

there. First, we are solving problems will be citizens, for the

benefit of the structural funds and Borders, we have to create the

foundations for ongoing trust that we need to build the future

relationship with the UK. That is a scenic one on. I would like to

repeat to you. -- that is a sine qua non. I would like to repeat to you

that I would not like to have no agreement, or a bad deal. We want to

conclude a deal with the UK, not against the UK, and in fact, I very

much appreciate that on the UK side, you could find the same spirit to

reach a deal with the EU, not against the EU.

APPLAUSE Sirs, we start the negotiations, we

hope to start as soon as possible, the day after the elections that

Theresa May has called for the 8th of June. Clearly, the fact that

elections take place just before the start of negotiations will give a

clear stability and visibility to our UK partners. That is what we

need as well and that is one of the key elements for these negotiations

to be a success. I talked about trust, that we have all talked

about. There is a corollary to that. It means that we, together with the

other institutions, are going to be transparent with you. We are going

to be permanently available to ensure your institutions in your

Parliament as well, throughout the process of negotiations so I will be

available to you, and the team headed by Verhofstadt, the new

president, do have exchanges before and after every negotiating round. I

speak for myself and the whole of my task force that I have been able to

set up, thanks to the trust placed in the commission's services and

also together with President Juncker. We are also prepared to

have full or greater transparency on all of the negotiating documents

that will be made public. I would now like to reply to some of the

issues that have been raised. Firstly, an citizens' rights,

several members talked about a fair and balanced agreement. At the start

of the negotiation, we have an ambitious position set by the

European Council, which is perfectly legitimate, calling for European

citizens and British citizens alike affected by Brexit to be able to

continue to enjoy the same rights. That will apply for citizens, their

families, and we are talking about all rights, residency, freedom of

movement, the right of access to social security, the right of access

to the labour market. We are talking about the rights that will be

maintained up until the day of Brexit. And we will ensure that

these rights are guaranteed. This is a very serious subject that affects

people's daily lives and that of many families. We cannot simply have

a declaration of intent. On the financial settlement, and I am

pleased that Mr Farage is here, because he quoted me, now, I have

never quoted these figures. The figures will depend on the

methodology that we have to agree on. It will also depend on the

actual date of the UK's exit. It is not myself who will set the figure

as the European Council has said, we are going to work together with the

British, very calmly, to find an agreement on commitments undertaken.

It is not about punishment. It is not an exit bill. Particularly given

the financial perspectives that are underway, we have undertaken

financial commitments together, the 28. So we have to shoulder those

responsibilities together as 28 and we benefit from them together as 28.

Across the board, all regions of the EU com universities, research labs,

students and farmers. -- EU, universities. We have two settle

these accounts as we do in any separation, no more, no less. I will

do it perfectly calmly. It is not about revenge or punishment. I'm

simply going to look at the figures and the backs and the commitments

that have been undertaken, no more, no less. -- figure than the facts.

An island, where I had the privilege of visiting last week and visiting

both chambers of parliament. -- on Ireland. Mr Nicholson referred to

the visit which moved me and I found it very useful. It is a unique

situation, therefore, we have to find unique solution. Of course, our

solution should not call into question the integrity of the single

market. We will do all we can to find a solution which clearly and

fully preserves in all its aspects, the Good Friday agreement. Mrs

Anderson and Mr Brock referred to this. Can I remind you that the UK

is a co-guarantor of the Good Friday agreement. As to the transitional

periods raised by Mr Caputo, well, we might be working on transitional

measures post Brexit, on a phasing out period and then a phasing in

towards a new relationship but the real transition period is now,

before exit, between now and the day of exit. I would like to recommend

all economic players, all economic operators to make full use of this

period so that the day of the exit, probably March 2019, is as orderly

as possible. I would also like to say to Mr Van

Daalen, who raises specific issues such as fishing, I would like to say

very clearly that everyone should understand, it is the UK that has

decided to leave the EU, it's not the other way around. And there are

many of us who have regretted that decision, but now, we have to

implement it eddy that decision has consequences. And anyone who says

that it can be business as usual afterwards, well, that's not telling

the truth. We're going to have to unravel 44 years of integration and

economic relations, financial, technical, legal, human, social

relations, that's the decision of the UK, after 44 years. No-one

should underestimate any of the consequences or the legal complicity

of the separation. So, I really want to make that clear, we need to tell

the truth to citizens. And I'd like to recommend that we take a very

calm, democratic, pedagogical approach, we should explain what

Brexit means. What does it mean to be a member of the union, what does

it mean to no longer be a member of the union, for citizens' daily

lives, for consumers and citizens, we've got to tell people the truth.

I also recommend that we take time to explain, people talk about no

deal, what exactly that would mean. What WOULD it mean to have no

agreement whatsoever? And I think we agreement whatsoever? And I think we

should take time to explain that to people and citizens. Ladies and

gentlemen, as the council wishes, we're going to have a phased

approach, to build a new partnership, new relationship with

the UK. This was raised very wisely earlier. It is not too early to

start to sketch out that relationship, which will include

free and fair trade agreement, co-operation agreement sparsely

regarding universities and research and partnership as we hope in the

area of security and defence. There are two important areas, we will

never accept that a free-trade agreement will lead to for

competition or a lowering of our social standards. That point was

made by Mr Zimmer, and also Mrs Rodriguez and others. We cannot

accept a lowering of social taxation or environmental standards in the

EU. At the same time, there can be no horse trading when it comes to

security and trade issues. Somebody raised the complexity, as regards

the agencies, I do not need to come back to that. I will conclude with

more political remarks. At a time when we are preparing to start the

negotiations, which have not yet started, the clock is ticking, there

isn't much time ahead of us to conclude the deal. I'd like to come

back to watch what several people said earlier. There are consequences

to Brexit. And I'm going to have to deal with many of these consequences

in the negotiations. There are also lessons from Brexit. I think we have

to listen to some of the reasons given by the UK citizens, as in

other countries, with these protest votes, accompanied by rage, people

feeling left behind, excluded, not benefiting from any progress. And I

think we shouldn't confuse populism with popular sentiment. Is important

for us all to hear the popular sentiment being expressed and core

lessons from Brexit. Finally, one person spoke about unity - unity we

have built together under President task and President Yunker and

others, it is important for me, as a negotiator, I need that trust and I

will ensure it is maintained and nurtured throughout the whole

process. And that unity should then be used by the heads of state and

institutions to do other things. Brexit is not the only thing on the

radar in Europe. There are many other challenges, such as mentioned,

on defence and security, border management, single market. So, as

the negotiator, I think it is very important for everybody to

understand, we need this unity, that unity will be useful for the

remaining European agenda. EU leaders and yourselves should have a

proactive, positive agenda and other challenges eddy that will strengthen

the unity that I need in the negotiations. So, there is

interactive unity that we need. I very much thank you.

TRANSLATION: Thank you very much. I shall now look forward to the

presentation of the council. Thank you, Mr President, and thank you for

your words of support in today's debate. Until today, I have not

witnessed such unity on the matter is that I report here in the

European Parliament. Our unity is the most important condition for the

positive outcome of the negotiations. Thanks to this unity,

we will also be able, together, as the leaders, to deal in the coming

months first and foremost with the positive agenda for the union of the

27. I agree with my friend guy for harsh that, that this should be our

priority, not Brexit. Today, I will meet President Macron in Paris, and

to you, to this debate, we will be to you, to this debate, we will be

able to devote our meeting to the future of the 27, not to Brexit

only. Thank you very much. TRANSLATION: Thank you very much

indeed, President. That concludes the debate on the conclusions of the

European Council meeting. Whilst everybody is taking their

seats, I have an announcement to make. There are a number of

committees involved in institutional negotiations. I have received

requests for a vote in Parliament pursuant to the groups on the

decision of the committee to enter into inter-institutional

negotiations in regard to the changing market... The vote will be

heard tomorrow on this. On the other matter, I have received no request

for a vote in Parliament. Peasgood the committee is therefore begin

their negotiations? Next on the agenda is a statement from the

commission and from the council on the preparation of the G7 summit.

Honourable members, honourable president, I will speak on

behalf of President Juncker in relation to the upcoming summit.

This is the sixth time that Italy has hosted the summit. In some of

the finest cities Europe has to offer, Venice, Naples... And this

will be no exception. This year's leaders' meeting will have a new and

different feel to it. There will be fresh faces around the table eddy

together, they will tackle some new and not so new questions. Many of

these will go to the heart of the debate which we had yesterday in

into the G7 is very clear. For us, into the G7 is very clear. For us,

working together with our biggest partners around the world in a rules

-based system is unnecessary. We believe in open societies and

multilateral solutions. We believe in free and fair... And we see the

benefits that it brings. Around a third of our national income comes

from trade with the rest of the world. For the EU, global trade has

boosted EU economic growth, with every billion euros of additional

export supporting 14,000 jobs. Cheap imports benefit poorer households

first and foremost. But it is not just about the economies. The wider

need to work together on issues which affect the whole world has

become more acute, even since the G7 last met in Japan in 2016. Whether

it is fighting climate change, international terrorism, promoting

trade links, sustainable development or global economic growth, the

questions of the day are global in nature. The G7 summit will be a

crucial moment to deepen our co-operation in all of these areas.

But we can ignore some of the throwbacks of a more interconnected

world. -- we can't ignore. We need to tackle them head-on as in many

people around Europe and in other parts of the world are concerned.

They worry about high levels of inequality, job losses, factory

closures. They see identities, traditions and ways of living

changing in front of their eyes. We have to respond to, other concerns.

That was the thinking behind the ideas presented in our reflection

paper on harnessing globalisation. We are not naive free traders who

believe in open competition based on level playing fields. -- we believe

in open competition based on level playing fields. And that's why we

have shown faith with measures in response to market distortion or

unfair practices. We will not hesitate to do so again. And we will

need to accelerate our efforts to tackle unfair trade. But Europe must

also make a positive case for its place in a global world. When others

step back from free trade, the European Union must step forward.

Partners such as Japan, Mexico and India are willing to do likewise.

The ambitious EU-Japan deal which we are negotiating is an example. This

free trade agreement will send a powerful signal to the rest of the

world that two of the largest economies are resisting

protectionism and that open trade and investment remains one of the

best tools to create more economic growth and jobs. EU exporters to

Japan still have to pay close to 1 billion euros annually on customs

tariffs, and whilst the majority of these tariffs would be removed with

the trade agreement, EU exports to Japan would increase by more than a

third. At the same time, more than 600,000 jobs in the EU are linked to

exports to Japan, with Japanese companies alone employing more than

half a million people. These are compelling reasons why we aim to

reach an agreement as soon as possible, and in any case before the