Mr David Sassoli President of the PHS 09B011

Subject: Xenophobic comments of MEP Angel Dzhambazki

Dear President Sassoli,

Unfortunately, we have to bring to your attention what may be, at least in our understanding, a breach of the Code of Appropriate Behaviour for Members of the European Parliament by our colleague Angel Dzhambazki from the ECR Group.

Mr Dzhambazki spoke to the Bulgarian branch of the News Website Euractiv in relation to the outcome of the informal Trilogue on the so-called Mobility Package. In his statement, Mr Dzhambazki criticises the outcome of the negotiations, and we fully respect his political perspective on the issue.

What we, however, disagree with is the fact that Mr Dzhambazki involves both of our nationalities in a context, which is solely reserved for the legislative work of our institutions. To be more precise, Mr Dzhambazki was cited that “a Frenchwoman of Algerian origin” helped by “the German of Turkish origin ” where the responsible persons for the outcome of the negotiations. In detail, the paragraph of the article reads as follows:

He blamed for that the chair of the Transport Committee , whom he called “a Frenchwoman of Algerian origin” (Greens), helped by “the German of Turkish origin Ismail Ertug”, (S&D).

We believe that his remarks are in breach with Article 21 of the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union, clearly prohibiting any discrimination on grounds “ethnic or social origin”. As a result, his comments are unacceptable, and we therefore urge you to ask Mr Dzhambazki to apologise. In addition, you may want to consider putting a reprimand on him in the context of Rule 176 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament.

After all, it was Mr Dzhambazki himself requiring in a letter to you an apology from the French President last month, which may have been reasonable in itself. In this context, we hope that Mr Dzhambazki upholds the same standards, which he was demanding from others to himself.

To conclude we would like to cite Mr Dzhambazki’s own words: “This is pure racism and xenophobia. [His] statement is a scandalous demonstration of reverse discrimination.”

We would like to thank you for your consideration, Mr President, and we are confident that your office will deal with this matter appropriately.

Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration.

Ismail Ertug Karima Delli Vice-President of S&D Chair of European Parliament’s Committee on Transport & Tourism