On Tuesday 19 January 2016, Xavier Bettel was received at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to review the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union which was held from July to December 2015.
The Luxembourg PM was welcomed by the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, for discussions of European and international political current affairs, as well as the achievements of the Luxembourg Presidency.
"The Luxembourg Presidency has been particularly difficult," Martin Schulz commented during the meeting. "It was faced with unprecedented challenges but overcame them in an exemplary manner."
Xavier Bettel echoed these thoughts at the plenary session of the European Parliament, where he presented a review of the Luxembourg Presidency. He cited the thirty-six legislative decisions approved by the Council and the European Parliament in the last six months as reflective of the Union's capacity to act, but stated that in certain cases, particularly regarding migrants, action came too slow.
Speaking of the "two particular events" of the migration crisis and the rise of terrorism, Prime Minister Bettel stated: "If [the Luxembourg Presidency] was able to advance the European Union, it was thanks to the support and constructive approach of the European Parliament".
He warned against the "temptation to withdraw into national backyards" and highlighted more political and legal solidarity amongst Member States as crucial in the continued progress of the Union. "We need to give, not just expect to receive," the PM claimed.
He also emphasised the need for the control of EU external borders to be communitised, to comply with the Schengen rules and ensure the participation of all Member States in the relocation of refugees, but added "we must do everything to substantially reduce the flow of migrants."
Photo by ME (Xavier Bettel at the European Parliament in Strasbourg)
