Seeing the new Member States as a clear source of strength to the EU, he said "You bring us your history, your culture, your faith in Europe" and also "you are bringing us a new perspective on our nearest neighbours" .
Parlamenta priekšsēdētājs paziņoja par jaunas Eiropas Parlamenta grupas "Identitāte, tradīcijas, suverenitāte" (ITS) izveidi.