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24.02.2016 15:51
UK Referendum and migration debate: a divided Europe is a weak Europe
"We have war in Ukraine, in Libya, in Syria, we have an aggressive Russian partner in President Putin, and we have too many people seeking jobs and prosperity. Europe is in a very difficult situation. And despite all these difficulties, the welfare benefits for migrants and the problems of the City of London were the top priorities of the last European Council. Is this the right priority?", said Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, in the plenary debate on the outcome of the last Council meeting.
"Nevertheless we have an agreement and the EPP Group supports the core of the agreement on the British referendum reached last week. David Cameron got a solid outcome in the negotiations for British citizens. If the British people decide to remain in the EU, they will find an ally in the EPP Group for the swift implementation of the agreement. A divided Europe is a weak Europe. In the case that they say no, there is no other agreement. This is the only one and there will be no follow-up negotiations", Weber continued.
Regarding migration, Manfred Weber criticised some Member States for national egoism by not implementing the decisions taken. "We have to secure Europe's borders. This is our commitment. But the people who are fleeing Aleppo, destroyed with the help of Russian bombs, should not be abandoned at the Turkish-Syrian border. We have done enough talking. Now we need to act."
Note to editors
The EPP Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 216 Members from 27 Member States
Press Officer for Legal and Home Affairs Working Group, Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee. National press, Greek Media
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