Roberta METSOLA, EP President, makes a statement ahead of the formal sitting session with the address by Zuzana ČAPUTOVÁ, President of the Slovak Republic. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

formal sitting

Formal sittig - Address by Zuzana ČAPUTOVÁ, President of the Slovak Republic: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President Dear colleagues, it is an honour for the European Parliament to have the president of Slovakia, Zuzana ČAPUTOV&Aacute;, with us here today. Madam President, Dear Zuzana, welcome. Thank you for your vocal promotion of the values of equality and diversity that this house and our Europe holds so dear.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President Last week's double murder at the heart of Bratislava is a reminder to us of the constant need to fight back against hate and defend our LGBTQ community. President up whatever. We know you also as a firm defender of freedom of speech. Soon we will mark five years since the murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírova that shocked us to our core.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President This house, Madam President, will always remember Ján and Martina, and you will always find us as an ally in the defence of values. Dear Zuzana, let me quote your words in a speech that you gave at the United Nations General Assembly. You said that solidarity should be our binding principle, not an option. And your country, Slovakia, has demonstrated what solidarity means by welcoming more than half a million Ukrainian refugees since the onset of war, by being at the forefront of political and military aid to Ukraine. Slovakia has shown time and again that it can lead.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President Thank you for your country's leadership at this critical moment for Europe. President ČAPUTOVÁ, the floor is, yours.