Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her opening remarks on Parliamentary reforms, and on the request of the waiver of immunity for some MEPs asked by Belgian authorities.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

fight against organised crime, corruption and money laundering (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

president's agenda

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on reforms, request of the waiver of immunity

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, About all the decisions needed on measures in this House to increase integrity, independence and accountability. This European Parliament prides itself on its openness, its accessibility and its defence of legislating in the public eye. We are not in some imaginary ivory tower. The principle of openness builds. Trust is one that we hold dear and that we defend, and any abuse or misuse of the tools that we created for this purpose must be addressed strongly, systematically and with any potential weaknesses addressed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The events of the past month have led to a need to rebuild trust with the European citizens that we represent. We must acknowledge this, and citizens rightly demand accountability and integrity. We will respond. I promised you last month that we will come back with a proposed series of reforms. With group leaders, we have agreed on a first step approach on a number of points that can go a long way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This is the beginning, not the end. We will start with measures that can be implemented quickly while starting the process for a longer term reform and consultations will continue across the board as a starting point. We will look at how we can implement a revolving door policy and how we can ensure more transparency of how we can improve accountability and checks of interest representatives, of how we can better control who has access to our premises.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We will ask for more transparency also when it comes to those representing third countries and their interests and from former members. We will shine a brighter light on what we do as members, with more and clearer information being made available to the public. We will enforce rules that disallow any activities that could create confusion with official European Parliament activities, particularly when it comes to interaction with third countries.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We will do more to ensure that the public has clear information on our financial declarations and we will ensure more training on whistleblowing and compliance. We will boost measures that will propose to boost the fight against corruption and on how we can push back against foreign interference.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We will strengthen our systems, address any shortcomings and be honest and open throughout this process. And we will do all of this while protecting the freedom of our mandates as elected representatives. We will not hinder that. We will do the opposite and do so while highlighting the important, crucial role played by MEPs in European decision making and our role in making the lives of Europeans a little bit safer, fairer and equal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Our house is the embodiment of European parliamentary democracy, and I need your help to ensure that the pillars holding it up are strengthened. We owe this to our citizens, to all those who came before and to all those who will come after. Thank you.