During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-10 July 2020), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor presents the programme of activities of the German Presidency. Remarks by Angela MERKEL, German Chancellor after the first round. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

EU - Germany (T)

MERKEL, Angela (DE)

German Presidency of the EU (T)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the German Presidency: intermediary remarks by Angela MERKEL, German Chancellor

SOUNDBITE (Original), David SASSOLI, EP President, President Merkel has asked to speak after this round from the Presidents. Go ahead, please.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, President, Honourable members, I think I can be brief and I'd like to begin by thanking all those who expressed words of congratulations and well-wishes. This is, of course, a challenge not just for the member states, but it's bad cooperation with the European Parliament

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, And I think in the debate, it's become very clear that different ideas abound when it comes to the objectives we need to achieve. And that's the same for heads of state and government.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, It's not going to be just about heads of state and government deciding on their own will have to come together if we want to decide things. Now, let me be clear. I spoke about the rule of law and fundamental rights.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, These, of course, represent a top priority for the council presidency. Nevertheless, we need to establish a basis for work in future.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, So we have the MFF in the and the recovery fund. And I as I said to the President of the Parliament, I think it will be essential that we can arrive at a compromise, that we see a willingness to compromise.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor,  In this respect. There are diverging positions amongst the member states, too. As it stands, any kind of absolute demands from individuals is not something

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, And it will not lead us to any kind of solution. And I'd like to say that very clearly we will have to discuss very difficult topics. You've mentioned the issue of own resources. Perhaps I could mention one aspect of this, and this is a priority for the European Parliament, of course.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, On the one hand, but on the other hand, the resources that may be categorised as own resources right now by the European Commission already are exist in national budgets as own resources.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, That's something you have to take into account. And also in difficult economic times, we should not be establishing tax increases in an factually incorrect way with the outcome of overall tax increased tax burden, which would not be desirable in this current economic crisis.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, Now, a tax should always be agreed on globally, and that would always be preferable. So I think the principle of trying to see the O.C.D. talks to the end first is something that I can stand by and yet if no solution is in sight in that forum, then we in Europe must come together to try and find a solution.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, When it comes to digitalisation and a new form of economic model, we cannot allow that sector to completely escape taxation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, When it comes to tax havens, we've done a great deal of work. But applying the same principle to digital taxation is proving to be very complex. We need to clearly distinguish between the global financial and economic crisis and the current pandemic.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, No one questions the fact that all of us, every member state is acting in a competitive climate. And we can only be effective if we are on a solid foundation. We don't want to be vulnerable due to excessive debt.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, So I think it was right that reforms were implemented in certain member states, but accompanied with solidarity. And I'm thinking here about the ESM and many other measures. The crisis we face today is not a crisis that was caused by any member state.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, It is a virus that simply appeared no one could predicted. And it hit different countries in different ways. And I think given this, we need different instruments and a different response. And that's why I support the recovery fund. Thank you.