European Parliament
President.
Mr Barroso, Commissioners, the European Parliament has just expressed its confidence in you and I congratulate you. This brings to an end an important episode in the history of European parliamentary democracy. Europe needs a strong Commission and a credible Parliament and this is more the case today than it was yesterday. Whatever our differences of opinion, I believe we can take pleasure from the fact that our debate has reached the citizens of Europe.
I would like to say, Mr Barroso, that Parliament, like you, wants a new partnership between our two institutions based on mutual respect and mutual trust, so that the European Union can become increasingly democratic, legitimate and effective.
(Applause)

