France: European Parliament convenes for first meeting post-Brexit

W/S Flags outside European Parliament, Strasbourg
SOT, Mairead McGuinness, European Parliament Vice President: "One the occasion of the day of remembrance, which is commemorated today, I would like to honour the memory of the Italians, victims and all of the victims of the Foibe massacres, and the exodus of Istrians, Rijekan and Dalmatians from their land during and after the Second World War. The defence of democracy and tolerance and our daily commitment to European values, are the best tribute to all those who are victims of these tragedies. The transition from opposing power blocks to a union for peace shows how important it is to continue working together for a Europe that puts values and respect for all its citizens in first place. And dear colleagues we will stand for a moment in silence." *MULTIPLE SHOTS AT SOURCE*
M/S European Parliament standing for moment silence
W/S European Parliament standing
M/S McGuinness standing
W/S European Parliament standing
W/S European Parliament standing
M/S European Parliament standing *UPSOUND* McGuinness: "Thank you."
SOT, Mairead McGuinness, European Parliament Vice President: "We now move to some further announcements, beginning with the composition of Parliament, following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 31 January 2020. In accordance with the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the mandates of the members elected for the United Kingdom ended as of 31 January 2020. The names of those members will be listed in the minutes of today's sitting. In accordance with the decision of the European Council of 28 June 2018 and following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 31 January, the competent authorities of 13 member states have provided notification of the election to the European Parliament of 24 members, taking effect as of 1 February 2020. The names of those members will be listed in the minutes of today's sitting. Parliament takes due note of their election. I wish to welcome our new colleagues and point out that they will take their seats in parliament and on its bodies in full enjoyment of their rights as provided for in the rules of procedure." *MULTIPLE SHOTS AT SOURCE*
W/S European Parliament
SCRIPT
The European Parliament gathered on Monday in Strasbourg for the first session following Britain's departure from the European Union.
European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinness drew stark comparisons between Britain leaving the EU and the need for "the defence of democracy and tolerance and our daily commitment to European values."
McGuinness opened the session with a minute's silence for "the victims of the Foibe massacres, and the exodus of Istrians, Rijekan and Dalmatians from their land during and after the Second World War." These were the mass killings allegedly perpetrated mainly by Yugoslav Partisans against the local ethnic Italian population.
She underlined the "transition from opposing power blocks to a union for peace" to keep Europe strong by putting "values and respect for all its citizens in first place," and announced the welcoming of newly elected members.