Answer to letters on the recent declarations by Vice-President Vidal-Quadras

The President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, in reply to the numerous emails and letters addressed to him concerning the recent declarations by Vice-President Vidal-Quadras commented:

 "I have received over 40.000 letters since last Friday. As I cannot answer personally to all of them, I make public the content of the letter I have sent to those Members of the European Parliament who wrote to me on this issue".

 Honourable Members, Dear Colleagues, 

 Thank you for your letter drawing my attention to recent declarations made by Vice-President Alejo Vidal-Quadras. As you know, this House is fully committed to the principle of freedom of expression and therefore respects the right of all EU citizens to demonstrate peacefully. 

 At the outset, may I assure you that the remarks were not made by Mr Vidal-Quadras in his capacity as Vice-President of the European Parliament. They reflect a personal opinion made in a national political context. 

 However, it is not up to the President of the European Parliament to judge the content of declarations made by a Member and to take disciplinary measures. It is up to the voters of Catalonia to assess such a statement. 

 Yours sincerely, 

Martin Schulz 

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