Opening: shooting of Malala Yousafzai, update on Brussels roof beam cracks

24-10-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The shooting of Malala Yousafzai, a 14 year-old Pakistani girl who dared to advocate education for girls, was strongly condemned by EP President Martin Schulz on Monday. Mr Schulz wished her a swift recovery in the UK and hoped her example would inspire young women everywhere. He also briefed MEPs on the investigation into cracks in the roof beams of the Brussels plenary chamber, which had led to the cancellation of the November session there.

Mr Schulz voiced Parliament’s profound dismay at the Taliban’s shooting of Miss Yousafzai in the head for advocating education for girls, and condemned this cowardly act. “As the father of a daughter myself, I feel personally wounded”, he said, urging the Pakistani authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that all children, especially young girls, get access to education.

Malala is symbolic of more than 250 million young girls around the world who live in poverty and are unable to assert their right to education, he continued, wishing her a full recovery and hoping that her example would inspire a new generation of young women around the world.

Brussels roof beam cracks still await repair

Mr Schulz reported that engineering and architectural offices had been asked to recommend how best to repair the roof of the Brussels plenary chamber, after cracks were discovered in three of the 21 roof beams. He undertook to propose repair works once these recommendations were available, but warned that this was likely to take “some considerable time”.

But Merkel visit is on

However, a visit to Parliament by German Chancellor Angela Merkel would go ahead as planned on 7 November, said Mr Schulz.

Incoming/outgoing

The President announced that Dutch MEP Patricia van der Kammen had been elected to replace Mr Barry Madlener (NL, NI), as of 3 October 2012.