Strasbourg plenary session

Foreign affairs, economic governance and the situation of Roma people in Europe were the main issues raised in Wednesday's debate on the outcome of the EU Summit of 16 September. It was the first time President of the Council Herman Van Rompuy has reported back to MEPs in Strasbourg after a meeting of the European Council. 

He said the main focus of the Council was external relations and the preparation of upcoming international summits and on the relations with strategic partners.

Referring to the Task Force on economic governance which he heads, he said it had made progress on the development of a new macro-surveillance framework, and the strengthening of national fiscal frameworks. He said it will produce its final report for the October Council with the Commission due to present legislation proposals at the end of September.

Speaking of the Roma and the controversy over their expulsion from France, Mr Van Rompuy said that the key message is that a Member State has the right to uphold the rule of law within their territory, while the Commission has the right and the duty to conduct investigations to ensure application of European law.

Joseph Daul, leader of the Parliament's largest group - the centre right European People's Party (EPP), said he respected the Commission’s right to check that European law is implemented correctly, but regretted the language used during the discussions on the Roma. He underlined the importance and duty of member states to try to integrate minorities and the minorities' duty to show the will to be integrated. On foreign policy he said "the only way to achieve respect and understanding around the world was through a coordinated and strong foreign policy".

Socialist Martin Schulz said that when we talk about international diplomacy and international trade, it can work only if it fits in with the domestic policies back home. That is what is going on in EU at the moment.

He said the Parliament is calling for the community method in terms of resolving problems. He said his group wanted it to be done at EU level in a community way and that the task of EP is to get the community method through. Regarding Roma, he called for it to be resolved and called human dignity an inviolable issue. He also stressed that European law has to be accepted and enforced by Member States.

The Liberal leader Guy Verhofstadt said the Commission has acted in the right way regarding the Roma and that values are as important as market rules. He went on to stress that it is important that everybody sees that the EC is treating every State equally, no matter how big or small.

"On economic governance we have no time to waste" he said. "We need, as fast as possible, a package on the table". He went on to say that "to be credible, the package needs to fulfil some conditions", such as "effective sanctions -progressive, combining political and economic, voting rights suspended of those breaking the rules".

Rebecca Harms of the Greens said that "we're living in completely different galaxies". The President of the European Council and the Task Force should have the responsibility to "move the EU out of the crisis". she was satisfied that the Commission will make proposals on economic governance, but "it shouldn't focus only on sanctions".

On the Roma she regretted the missed opportunity for the Council to support action against France and worried that "populist leaders in Europe focus on "domestic problems with xenophobic policies, and fomenting insecurity".

Timothy Kirkhope for the European Conservatives and Reformists said that the Commission's recent attack on France was not really helpful for European unity. He urged all actors to parts to be constructive with their input in the Roma discussion. He also welcomed the EU´s assistance to Pakistan and underlined that the only way to ensure long term development in Pakistan is through trade and economic ties.

Patrick Le Hyaric for the leftist GUE/NGL group attacked the conclusions of European Council and asked for concrete and specific actions to be taken in the case of the Roma and in combating poverty, unemployment, famine and climate change.

Niki Tzavela of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group mentioned China saying it has reserves amounting to 2.4 trillion US dollars, and is looking to invest in Europe. She asked if in the upcoming Council Summit would discuss setting aside the obstacles which the EU has in terms of its relations with China, in particular on human rights and Iran.