As Russian military movements close to the Ukrainian border continue to be a major global concern, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola tells FRANCE 24 she is doubtful about Moscow's claims that its troops are moving away from the frontier. The top EU lawmaker reaffirms that "if the escalation occurs, the European Parliament would align with other institutions to ensure concrete, swift and effective action".
MEPs voted on Wednesday February 16 in favour of a €1.2 billion macro-financial assistance to Ukraine – "a quick decision" and "a message of tangible solidarity with the Ukrainian people", according to the EU Parliament chief.
Metsola also answered questions on an issue which was the topic of much discussion among MEPs in the lead-up to her election: her personal stance on abortion rights.
Finally, turning to the EU migrant crisis, the Parliament has been pushing for the adoption of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Metsola says this "will seek precisely to ensure the streamlining of the way migrants are treated, especially when we are dealing with irregular influxes."
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Produced by Yi Song, Isabelle Romero, Sophie Samaille and Perrine Desplats
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