Opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, on Refugees in Europe: CARE. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Refugees in Europe: CARE. Opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament

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SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Welcome to this start of a very long series of important debates. I'd start with a couple of announcements. First of all, the political groups and the non-attached members have notified me of appointments for the two new special committees called COVI and Inga 2 and to the Committee of Inquiry Pega.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, The list of the members appointed to these new committees will be published on the Parliament's website and are next to the minutes. The EPP Group has notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees. Those decisions would be set out in the minutes of today's sitting and shall take a date and effect on the date of this announcement.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, That means we can go already to the next item on the agenda, which is debate on the request for urgent procedure on the refugees in Europe Care. Dear colleagues, dear members. One month ago today, Putin ordered a criminal invasion into the sovereign and independent country of Ukraine. Millions have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Almost 6.5 million people are internally displaced in Ukraine, and a further 3.5 million, 90 percent being women and children have taken the long path away from their homeland into the unknown.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, This is a humanitarian crisis in the heart of Europe. Our effective support will demonstrate the extent of our solidarity with all the brave Ukrainians fighting for their homeland, but also for the values that underpin ours. We have to do all, as we said yesterday, we can to help them, and that's why we enact today the first set of extraordinary measures to provide emergency support to people fleeing from war in Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, The increasing number of people forced to abandon their homes and the neighboring countries receiving them will urgently need more resources. And I am proud that the European Union has already done so much by welcoming millions of Ukrainians into our country's homes and hearts. And I want to commend all citizens of the European Union member states that have responded with European cohesion to all those.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, During the COVID pandemic, we showed that the European Union can swiftly react and adjust to the demanding circumstances and faced with war on our continent. We have to keep showing it also today. On this debate, I would like to inform members that it will be with one round of political group speakers. Also, I would like to remind you that your speeches will continue to be made from the central lectern, except for catch the eye, blue cards and points of order.