Opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President during the plenary session in Strasbourg (16-19/09/2019). Tribute to deceased colleague, MEP André Bradford (PT, S&D)and flood victims in Spain, minute of silence  The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

natural disasters (T)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

EP Plenary session - Opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, <p>I do have some announcements ladies and gentlemen. One is extremely sad and painful. The unexpected death of our colleague Portuguese MEP Andr&eacute; Bradford. Who worked very hard for his country, for his party in the European Parliament. He was extremely young he was only 48 years old. He dedicated his life to the defence of democracy and the political autonomy of his region, the Azores and he's always been recognized and praised for his friendliness for his power as a speaker and his cultural hinterland and his strong moral sense. He was elected recently to the European Parliament and he was facing a new significant challenge here. And I'd like to express my great sorrow and solidarity to his family and friends to the S&amp;D group and all his colleagues here in the European Parliament. </p>

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, I do have another painful announcement to make colleagues because there were very serious floods last week throughout Europe which struck a large area of central and south eastern Spain and caused rivers to burst their banks in Murcia, Almeria, Alicante, Valencia, Albecete and Madrid. Six people died. Thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes and their workplaces.  On behalf of this house, I'd like to express our condolences for the victims and their families and express solidarity with those who have been affected by these terrible floods. I'd also like to express our recognition for the tireless work of the emergency services the tremendous effort carried out by the rescue teams all of whom were volunteers who have been helping the victims. So in memory of our colleague Andr&eacute; Bradford and the victims in Spain and as an expression of solidarity with their families I would invite you to stand colleagues and observe a minute's silence