The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metzola called the MEPs observe a minute’s silence in memory of the lives lost recently at sea and in the train accident in Greeceat the start of the plenary session in Strasbourg.

With more lives being lost at sea in recent weeks, President R. Metsola called on all concerned to live up to Parliament’s ambitions and address this issue.

Speaking about the train accident that shocked Greece, the president of the EP said that the parliament mourns with the Greek people and the families of the victims. The EU is ready to help as needed, he added.

He also noted that the UN Black Sea Grain Initiative, which could expire next week, has given millions of people access to food and basic supplies from Ukraine, adding that parliament is calling for it to be renewed as soon as possible.