Antonio TAJANI, EP President, makes the closing remarks at the occasion of the event oganised for the 40 years of the Spanish Constitution: extracts from the statement and ambiance shots.

Brussels

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

conference

EU - Spain (T)

ceremony

40 years on Celebrating the Spanish Constitution: extracts from the closing remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and ambiance shots

Ambience shots of the meeting room during the event (2 shots)

Arrival of EP President Antonio TAJANI at the meeting room

Cutaways of the audience listening to the speakers (2 shots)

Cutaway of EP President Antonio TAJANI listening to the speakers

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, To celebrate 40 years the democracy, freedom and concord of a member state of the European Union is a privilege for any European. It is also a privilege, in a much more personal scope, due to the great affection I have for Spain and the Spaniards.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Keep in mind that defending the Constitution is to defend the idea of Europe. Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, on several occasions I have insisted that the EU is the most noble and courageous effort that Europeans have made in our modern history, as the Constitution of 1978 has been for Spain, both are the great victory of the Enlightenment against mindless wars.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, The EU is a democratic project and as such, it is not perfect, it is subjected to different criticisms and visions. That is why it is essential that we shall open Europe to the political debate including its citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, It is key that citizens know about the different proposals ahead of the European elections of May 2019. Citizens shall express with their votes the direction they want the EU to take, and thus the necessary reforms to change it, to make it more political. Hence, it will continue to be the space of peace, stability and prosperity that we want for our children.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Together we can change this Europe in favour of a more political, stronger Europe, where we put the elected politicians in the lead. We ask for more power for the European Parliament, that is what democracy is about. That is why it is important not to forget what Spain has done, we can also do it here, strengthening European democracy.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Dear Spanish friends from Brussels, congratulations to all of you on this anniversary and thank you very much for inviting me to speak tonight.