Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 18 and 19 February 2016, during the EP plenary session of February in Brussels. Extracts from the debate on UK and the EU (Brexit), statements by Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&D, IT), Ashley FOX (ECR, UK), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), and Nigel FARAGE (EFDD, UK)

Brussels

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

referendum on EU membership (T)

EU - United Kingdom (T)

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

PITTELLA, Gianni (S&D, IT)

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

FARAGE, Nigel (NI, UK)

TUSK, Donald (PL)

ZIMMER, Gabriele (GUE/NGL, DE)

European Council meeting 18-19 February 2016 (T)

FOX, Ashley (ECR, UK)

HARMS, Rebecca (Greens/EFA, DE)

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 18 and 19 February 2016: extracts from the debate on UK and the EU (Brexit)

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, <p>The European Union will respect the decision of the British people. If the majority votes to leave, that is what will happen. It will change Europe forever. And it will be a change for the worse. Of course, this is my personal opinion. Prime Minister Cameron said in the House of Commons on Monday that now is not the time to split the West. I could not agree more.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council,  if Britain decides to stay, I hope this Parliament will also ensure that the agreed settlement is transformed into the necessary legislation and will enter into force.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, The deal with the United Kingdom is fair, it is balanced, it respects the principles of the European Union, and at the same time it takes on board the concerns, desiderata and suggestions of the United Kingdom. So I think the British people - which in the course history has so often proved its courage and wisdom - will say yes to the agreement we reached with the United Kingdom.

SOUNDBITE (German), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), EEP Group leader, If people are being told in the UK that if they say no then they will get a better deal, we have to say to them very clearly that the agreement which is on the table is THE agreement, and this is THE agreement that the EP will support, and there will be no follow-up negotiations.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), S&amp;D Group leader, We will fight to make sure that Britain stays with us. And let me say with every respect for the British citizens, and its up to them now, and them alone to make their choice. Let me say with great respect that you have been leaders in the world, protagonists, the UK has done so much, has been a factor for peace and democracy, those values are in the DNA, in the blood stream of the UK. And the best place to demonstrate, to live out those principles is the EU, together with your partners.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ashley FOX (ECR, UK), <p>Ladies and Gentlemen, I will be supporting the campaign to remain in the EU (applause). My reasoning is simple; Britain's economic recovery though good, is still fragile, and I will not put it at risk by tearing us away from the Single Market. And I also believe my constituents will be safer, and my country more secure, if we continue our cooperation with our European partners.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), ALDE Group leader, Boris JOHNSON takes it to a whole other level. Because it is the major of London acting against the interests of the citizens of London. And all for personal ambition, and certainly not for a better Europe and a better Britain!

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), ALDE Group leader, the unity of the UK is under threat and the American cousins are saying, please stop it, we will not make a trade deal with you outside the Union. Apparently the special relationship between the UK and the US is apparently not so special anymore, today.

SOUNDBITE (German), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE), GUE/NGL Group leader, We are on route for the EU coming closer to the radical Anglo Saxon model, you could erect a monument saying 'on the 18th February 2016 the spirits of Margaret THATCHER were resurrected.

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), GREENS Group leader, And I have to say against the doom's sayers speaking out very loudly in this parliament, I hope that the conflict in the UK actually helps the UK decide what they want to get out of the EU, what they want the EU to be, and that will help all of us in Europe. As a result of that discussion, to acknowledge exactly what we have in the EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nigel FARAGE (EFDD, UK), UKIP Group leader, Is it safe to stay within an organisation, whose own police boss tells us there are 3-5000 terrorists that have now come into our continent through the migrant crisis, or is it safest to take back control of our own borders and our own democracy? After much consideration, I have decided to opt to vote to leave.