When Juncker explains Belgium to the Belgians…
(B2) Closing the press conference on the signing of CETA, the comprehensive free trade and economic agreement with Canada, the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, questioned by the journalist from Le Soir, Jurek Kuczkiewicz, s' is taken rather violently to the CDH, the Christian-Democratic humanist party (French-speaking) as to the functioning of Belgium. It's rare enough to be noted and it deserves to be transcribed almost entirely...
There was no ultimatum
It was at the very end of the conference, President Donald Tusk is about to close the press conference session... the President of the Commission takes the opportunity to say " I will have a few words in the direction of Wallonia. “And he immediately gears up, saluting” the president of the Walloon region » alias Paul Magnette when he says that « The Commission has played a positive role with Wallonia and Belgium. We always said that there was no ultimatum, that it was more important to sign than to know when we will sign »
I'm not nervous... I explain Belgium to Belgians
Once the scene is set, Juncker attacks..." The Commission's interlocutor is not the Walloon region, it is the federal government. We made an exception to the rule by discussing with Wallonia. Normally the regional entities should agree with the federal government on their list of requirements and grievances ».
The HRC in the crosshairs of Juncker's anger
« I register in false against any trial of intention. We have never threatened the Walloon region. Never ! Let's stop saying — and I say this for the CdH and its president (NB: Benoit Lutgen) —, that we stop saying that the Commission has threatened disastrous consequences, for Wallonia, the government or the Walloon parliament. We were very committed alongside Wallonia so that all the uncertainties surrounding this agreement could be removed. " A deal " which has not been changed by a comma “he swings in passing, thus denying any victory of the French-speaking Belgians.
Belgium must reflect on its internal functioning
And to conclude with a vibrant: we must for Belgium to reflect on its international operating world”.
(NGV)
NB: On the other hand, the President of the Commission was careful not to answer the question posed which was the image of Wallonia after the declarations of the German commissioner Günther Oettinger considering that a " micro-Region managed by communists which blocks all of Europe, it is not acceptable ! " (read on Le Soir)
