The Eurogroup and the European Council need to take decisions in the coming weeks to satisfy citizens and markets that an exit will be made from the euro crisis, said Mr Buzek, noting that European Council President Herman Van Rompuy would be in Parliament on Thursday to report on progress.  Parliament will discuss the summits already on Tuesday, at 15.00h, on the Council and Commission statements on the economic crisis. This debate will last 45 minutes, and the day's remaining agenda items will therefore each start 45 minutes later.

 The EU budget, on which Parliament votes Wednesday, must be an investment in growth and job creation, he continued, thanking MEPs who had contributed to the success of the previous week's high-level conference on the EU's multiannual financial framework.

 Tunisia and Libya

 Mr Buzek welcomed Tunisia's first free election, held the previous Sunday, noting that it had passed off peacefully, there had been a 90% turnout, and people had voted "responsibly". He also welcomed the fact that Colonel Gaddafi's death meant his 40-year dictatorial rule over Libya was finally over, and it could set off on the road to democracy.

 ETA

 The renunciation of violence by the Spanish terrorist organisation ETA the previous week was also welcomed by the President, who stressed that ETA must now "disarm and dissolve". He paid tribute to Spain's counter-terrorism services, and paid tribute to ETA's 829 victims over four decades.

 Turkey

 Finally, the President extended Parliament's sympathy to those close to the 200 victims of the earthquake that hit Turkey on Sunday. "We share the pain of the Turkish nation", he said.

• Richard Freedman

  (Press Officer)

  Mobile: +32 498 98 32 39