During the EP plenary session in Brussels, MEPs debate on the Preparation of the European Council meeting (15-16 October 2015). Statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, EU Council Presidency, and Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, on finding a common approach on the migration and refugee crisis with focus on Turkey and Syria and on the process concerning the United Kingdom' plans for an (in/out) referendum.

Brussels

Brexit (T)

SCHMIT, Nicolas (LU, EC)

EU - Syria (T)

debate

plenary session

EU - Türkiye (T)

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

European Council meeting 15-16 October 2015 (T)

Preparation of the European Council meeting (15-16 October 2015): extracts from the Council and Commission statements

SOUNDBITE (French), Nicolas SCHMIT, EU Council Presidency, Luxembourg, "It is our duty to help the refugees, but amongst all those people who cross the borders illegally, we know that not everyone needs international protection under the Geneva Convention. We need an efficient and coherent policy for the return of third country nationals who are illegally found on our territory, with full respect of human rights and dignity of the person under the principle of non refoulement. It is essential for an overall EU policy for migration."

SOUNDBITE (French), Nicolas SCHMIT, EU Council Presidency, "The Presidency has tried to make sure that the Council works unstintingly on the responses that need to be brought to one of the major crises that there is under way. We have had good results in the very short time that we have seen. In September for example [I'm not going to go back on that], but there was the adoption of the decision on the basis of Commission's proposal for the relocation of a 160 000 refugees. More recently on the 8th of October the Council adopted the conclusions on the future of return policy giving a precise overview on the work that needs to be done. Council also had a discussion regarding the management of external boarders and adopted financial measures to allow the follow up of the policies with rapid action on the ground."

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, "What I'm less happy to see is that on the 23rd of September the European Council took a decision on the issue of refugees and this decision included some points with budgetary implications. Now the European Union is the victim of much criticism, I rarely switch on the German television now because every time I watch a television program from Germany or indeed from every other country, too, there is nothing but criticism against Europe. Europe should this, Europe should that, Europe should the next thing... Europe is a concept which is much criticized but the fact of the matter is that on the 23rd of September the European Council took a series of decisions which were highly relevant."

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, "That was the 23rd of September. Today is the 14th of October, and therefore what was recommended by the Commission has been endorsed by the European Parliament, what needed to be done has been done by the European Parliament. And therefore I am grateful to you for that and I think it's all very well to lever criticism at the European Institutions but the European Institutions are able to deliver. The Member States have failed to do this, it has been not lived up to the level of engagement that we have shown."

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, "All the Member States, on the 23rd of September, signed up to an agreement stating that the Member States were prepared to make available funding from their own national budget in order to put sufficient funding on the line however here we have only 275 million Euros of which 225 million &euro; have to be attributed to the UK and I should like to praise the UK for the solidarity that they have shown in making this contribution of 225 million &euro; because the British not only talk, they actually put their money where their minds are."

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, "Many are in doubts, many are in hesitations and many have the questions in our mind - and I do have myself - and I'm well aware of that. Despite all, should Turkey be on the list of safe countries? Should it not be? If Turkey is not on the list of safe third countries then Turkey will be the only candidate country actually who did not figure on this list. If we believe that they are actually not meriting of being on the list of the safe third countries, then we have to stop the accession negotiations. It can't be on one list and not on the other. It can't do two different things and operate in parallel in that way therefore I'm pleading that Turkey does belong on the list of safe third countries. I also plead that we need to accelerate the visa liberalisation process."

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, "The Commission wants a fair deal with Britain. And we are working in that direction. To tango it takes two, some here know I'm not a splendid dancer, but at least I know the rules which have to be observed by others and it needs two to tango and so we have to dance and our British friends have to dance but to make it sure I am 150% in favour of having Britain as a constructive Member State of the EU. We need Britain. Personally I would think that Britain needs the European Union but that's a matter of conviction, others may have different feelings. On that day we will have the same feeling if ever Britain would leave the European Union but that's not the assumption under which I'm working."