The message that European democracy cannot be bought was sent[/B] by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola[/B] on Monday[/B], in a statement at the opening of the European Parliament's plenary session, also saying that the EU would rather be cold than bought. She also announced that the report on the visa waiver with Qatar and Kuwait will be sent back to the relevant committee, while she announced an internal inquiry to look into all the facts related to the Parliament and how its systems can be made even more watertight.
Without mentioning MEP Eva Kaili by name, Metsola said she must choose her words carefully, in a way that does not jeopardise ongoing investigations or in any way undermine the presumption of innocence, while expressing her determination "to strengthen" this House. She also expressed her deep disappointment.
In a stern message, referring to "malicious plans" by "enemies of democracy", Ms. Metzola said that the European Parliament, and European democracy, were under attack by those for whom "the very existence of this Parliament is a threat", but that these plans had failed. These "malicious actors", she said, linked to "authoritarian" third countries are alleged to have armed NGOs, associations, individuals, assistants and members of the European Parliament in an attempt to subvert its proceedings.
"Our services, of which I am incredibly proud, have been working with the relevant national law enforcement and judicial authorities to dismantle this alleged criminal network for some time," she added.
Metsola said they have acted in coordination with the authorities to ensure that all legal measures are followed, that all information is retained and that, where necessary, "electronic equipment is secure, offices are sealed and home searches can be conducted." He also said he accompanied a Belgian judge and police, as required by the Belgian constitution, on a house-to-house search last weekend.
"As a precautionary measure, again with full respect for the presumption of innocence, I have removed from that Vice-President all duties and responsibilities related to her role as Vice-President, and convened an extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents to initiate the Rule 21 procedure to terminate her mandate as Vice-President in an effort to protect the integrity of this House," he added.
The President of the European Parliament also said she had planned to announce the launch of the negotiating mandate for the report on exempting Qatari and Kuwaiti passport holders from visa requirements. In light of the investigations, he added, this report should be sent back to the committee.
He noted that he knows they are not at the end of the road, "and we will continue to assist the investigations, together with other EU institutions, for as long as necessary".
Metsola said corruption "cannot bring benefits, and we have also played our part in ensuring that these schemes cannot be implemented."
She noted that the allegations are not about left or right or northern or southern countries. "We are talking about right and wrong," he said, calling on MEPs to resist "the temptation" to exploit this moment for political gain. "Do not underestimate the threat we face," he said."
He also said there would be no impunity and that nothing would be swept under the carpet. "We will launch an internal investigation to look at all the facts related to Parliament and look at how our systems can be made even more watertight."
He added that they will launch a reform process to see who has access to EC premises, how these organisations, NGOs and people are funded, and what links with third countries they have, and, he said, they will call for greater transparency regarding meetings with foreign actors and those connected to them. "We are going to shake up this Parliament and this city and I need your help to do it," he told MEPs.
He also said they would protect those who help expose crime and that he would look at the EC's systems for protecting public interest witnesses to see how they can be made stronger.
She also sent the message that it is important for those for whom "a bag of cash will always be worth the risk" to understand that they will be caught.
In closing, Ms. Metsola sent a message of unity, but also warned "the malicious actors, in third countries, who believe they can buy their way forward, who believe that Europe is for sale", that they will find the EP against them.
"We are Europeans. We would rather go cold than sell out," concluded Metsola.
The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, which will meet on Tuesday at 8.30 am (local time) to discuss the procedure for the end of the term of office of the Vice-President of the European Parliament.
It should be noted that in such a case, Ms. Kaili will continue to be an MEP, as, in order to lose this status, she would either have to resign or the competent authority of the Member State to which she belongs, in this case Greece, would have to instruct the EP that she will no longer be an MEP.
Source: CNA
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