State of the Union: Europe delivers – national egotisms fail

"In this migrant crisis, it is not Europe, it is national egotisms that have failed", said Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, during the debate on the ‘State of the Union’ speech by the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. Weber underlined the need for a European solution to a European problem. "Europe needs to fulfil its humanitarian duty, helping those fleeing for their lives, and as a Christian-Democrat, I want to reiterate that is not Christian rights, but human rights that Europe invented. But we also need to better secure our external borders and make sure that asylum rules are used properly and not abused", he said.

On jobs and growth, Weber welcomed the work done by the European Commission in order to tackle unemployment in Europe. "We need jobs on the continent. Last year, there were 1.6m fewer unemployed in Europe. This is a good start and it is the result of the Commission's action. The Commission’s mobility package should also help in this area."

On the Greek crisis, Weber regretted the fact that months have been lost. "But Alexis Tsipras, in changing course, has shown that the Left ideology has failed", he said.

Manfred Weber thanked Mr Juncker for his "political speech and clear proposals". "Your European Commission is a political Commission. You have allowed us to focus on the essential issues for Europe. You gave us an electoral programme and you stuck to it. With your Commission, Europe delivers", he told the European Commission President.