3. Statements by the President

Verbatim reports

The President stated that it was the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, winner of the Sakharov Prize in 1988, and the embodiment of the principles of freedom, equality, justice and reconciliation, values which were at the very heart of the European Union and Parliament. In cooperation with South Africa's diplomatic mission in Brussels, Parliament was taking part in the celebrations by organising a concert in honour of Nelson Mandela in the Yehudi Menuhin space. The President also announced that he would welcome Graça Machel, Mr Mandela's widow, to the the September part-session.

°
° ° °

The President made a statement expressing Parliament's profound concern at the repeated attacks against the Roma community in Ukraine, the latest of which had left one person dead and four injured. The President expressed his condolences to the victim's family, wished for the speedy recovery of those injured and said that Parliament would be in ongoing contact with the Ukrainian authorities to monitor the situation.