Press Release

21/10/2009

Press Freedom - The European Parliament has rightly rejected a national debate. Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group

"The EPP Group has won a battle today to reaffirm that the European Parliament is not the appropriate place to discuss national issues, nor to make a case against any government of a European Union Member State", said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

"The EPP has worked in recent weeks to make this argument, which was supported by a majority of Members of Parliament this afternoon (21.10.09). At the same time, we demonstrated the bad faith of certain political groups who tried to hide behind the principle of freedom of information to attack their political opponents", continued Joseph Daul.

"The EPP stands for freedom and independence of information, in Europe and outside Europe. But this principle cannot be instrumentalised for the benefit of anyone. As I said to the press yesterday, my Group will take the initiative to quickly organise such a debate in Parliament, in an orderly fashion", concluded the Chairman of the EPP Group.

(Translated from the original French)

For further information:
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, Tel: +33-3-88175525
Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.