13 January 2015

European Parliament: Security and 'Juncker Plan' at heart of debate with Council president Tusk

"The European Strategic Investment Plan is not the silver bullet. But if anyone has ideas to overcome the economic crisis with one stroke, stand up please," said European Council President Donald Tusk.

Donald Tusk asked Parliament for its support to ensure that the Juncker plan could start in June. He committed to stepping up the fight against tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning, which he considered "a matter of fairness and social justice". He said the passenger name records (PNR) file was "difficult and delicate", referring to the need to balance security and freedom. He made the case for a single European PNR system: "28 national systems would be a patchwork with holes. They would interfere with the privacy of citizens but would not properly protect their security," he said.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told MEPs that the College of Commissioners was still discussing the investment plan with a view to building more flexibility into the pact "without changing the rules". The Commission would table its proposal to fight tax evasion by June, he assured the House.

Manfred Weber (EPP, DE) said the EPP group was looking forward to close cooperation on security issues and backed the Juncker plan. He restated his group's support for the investment plan and promised that Parliament would deliver. He also backed the aid scheduled for Ukraine and stressed that it was vital for the EU to have robust and secure external borders.

Enrique Guerrero Salom (ES, S&D) wanted more flexibility in using the investment package funds. He said the Council had not fulfilled its duty because member states seemed unwilling to make commitments to the fund. He stressed that the PNR legislation "should be debated calmly and not in the heat of the latest events" and that citizens' freedoms must not be sacrificed.

Full press release

Full speech by Donald Tusk

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