- Before the vote:

  Slavi Binev, rapporteur. – (FR) Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the shadow rapporteurs for their help and cooperation in preparing this report on the extension of the geographic scope of the mandate of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. I believe that when society expresses its desire for democracy, particularly as the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries have done, politicians must listen to the voice of the people.

Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that the European Union is in the midst of an economic crisis, but those who have a right to criticise also have a duty to help. I would encourage all of my colleagues to pay close attention to freedoms in certain Member States, such as Bulgaria, so that we are not ashamed when we criticise the regimes in totalitarian countries.

  President. – That concludes the first round of voting.

(The sitting was suspended for a few minutes)

IN THE CHAIR: MARTIN SCHULZ
President