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Verbatim report of proceedings
Tuesday, 10 March 2009 - Strasbourg OJ edition

Risk to close down the company QIMONDA in Germany and Portugal and the loss of thousands of jobs in Europe (debate)
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  Joel Hasse Ferreira (PSE).(PT) Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Qimonda’s difficult situation has been made worse by the emergence of the financial and economic crisis. The Portuguese Government has been doing everything that it considers appropriate and useful to help resolve the situation. We wish that the Bavarian Government also knew how to respond to this situation with a great sense of responsibility. Saving the plants in Munich will have a decisive impact on those in Vila do Conde and Dresden.

The Portuguese Minister for the Economy and Innovation, Manuel Pinho, has himself confirmed how very important it is to ensure the viability of this company. Qimonda is extremely important to Portugal and, because it could be competitive on a global level, it is just as important to Europe.

Mr President, Portugal will continue to work towards a solution that guarantees the company’s viability. We hope that the German Government – both at Federal and State level – will really strive to find a solution to this problem.

As for me, I would like to underline once again the strategic importance of keeping this type of industry in European territory. I hope that no national or state government will make the mistake of allowing this company to close plants and destroy jobs in the Union’s territory.

Ladies and gentlemen, we understand the need to aid the large groups of the automotive industry with their restructuring, but the Union’s funds and the energies of the European Commission cannot be used up on this aid.

Commissioner, to avoid any possible failures in communication, we are appealing to Mr Špidla, to whom we are linked by ties of work and political solidarity, and to the President of the Commission, who will never forget that he is our fellow countryman as well as that of a significant proportion of Qimonda’s workers, for the Commission to pledge to support Qimonda.

Before finishing, we must stress that President Cavaco Silva of Portugal recently stated in Germany that there was new hope with regard to Qimonda. Reference must also be made, as my fellow Members have already done, to the importance of the specific economic sector in which Qimonda operates. Let us keep in mind, therefore, that the Portuguese Government is showing its readiness to support Qimonda by whatever means necessary, taking into account the economic size of the country.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us help save Qimonda. Time is short!

 
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