Belgium: COVID, Poland on top of European Council summit agenda as Merkel wraps up meeting

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke at a press conference on Friday about issues discussed during the European Council summit in Brussels.

She commented on the situation on the Belarusian border and the future of the EU as Poland challenges the primacy of the bloc’s law.

“The real meaning of an ever closer union is being interpreted differently by different parties,” said the German Chancellor.

Issues related to rising energy prices, progress in vaccination rates in Europe and migration measures were also mentioned.

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor (German): “I am pleased that we can at least partially see each other in one room again today. You will also have noticed that our agenda is rather full. The first thing we talked about yesterday was the increase in energy prices. The reasons for this are extremely diverse and also have much to do with the global growth phase after COVID-19 and increases in Asian energy demand.”

SOT, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor (German): “[In view of the numbers] in Germany, we have to say that the pandemic is not over. The main focus, however, was the question of vaccine donations. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen once again pointed out that Europe is the continent that has already exported a billion doses. This puts us in a very good position worldwide. We have an average vaccination rate of 65 percent in the European Union. This is the highest vaccination rate in the world. So, in spite of the difficulties we have experienced, we can also be quite proud of some things.”

SOT, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor (German): “Well, the Polish prime minister made it very clear yesterday that he is of course committed to the European treaties. But of course there are many different interpretations of what is meant by an ever closer union. I mean, at that time we also received a constitutional court ruling on the Lisbon Treaty that once again defined very clearly what the national components are that cannot be transferred to the European Union as areas of competence. So this is not just a Polish problem. The question of ultra vires jurisprudence has already led to discussions in Germany. So that means that these questions are not only discussed in Poland.”

SOT, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor (German): “[I am now leaving this European Union, so to speak,] in my responsibility as federal chancellor - in a situation that also concerns me. We have overcome many crises with precisely the respect and the effort to find common solutions again and again. We even agreed on a migration text today. That is one of the most difficult things. But we also have a number of unresolved problems. The ‘construction sites’ for my successor are big. This is about the rule of law, the general understanding. But we have not yet resolved the issue of migration either. This is something where we are of course always vulnerable from the outside. I have to say that. In this respect, it was a good thing that we finally agreed on conclusions today.”

SOT, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor (German): “[Different countries have expressed their views on] different forms of energy production. Nuclear energy plays a role; natural gas plays a role and of course renewable energies. Everyone knows that the Commission - it has also announced - will still present a delegated act on the issue of energy generation. Right now we already have one in business taxonomy.”

SOT, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor (German): “But yesterday it was not discussed in terms of a vote or any opinion-forming. It came as no surprise that France looks at nuclear energy differently than I do.”

#Merkel #EuropeanCouncil

Video ID: 20211022-038

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20211022-038
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