In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs from 2008 to 2009, explains the role and operation of this committee. He mentions various highly controversial matters that are dealt with by the committee.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs from 2008 to 2009, explains the process by which European Parliament committees are set up and their composition is established. He also discusses his own appointment as Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs in 2008.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs from 2008 to 2009, describes the arbitration role played by the Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC) in the European Parliament. He explains that the CCC settles many conflicts concerning the distribution of powers and responsibilities among the various European Parliament committees.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs from 2008 to 2009, explains the concept of European citizenship. He emphasises the view that European citizenship cannot take the place of national citizenship.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs from 2008 to 2009, shares his memories of the introduction of the post of European Union Counter-terrorism Coordinator in 2004. He particularly refers to Gijs de Vries, who held this post from 2004 to 2007, and Gilles de Kerchove, who has held the role since 2007.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs from 2008 to 2009, discusses European Union immigration policy, challenging the widespread image of ‘Fortress Europe’. He cites figures and particularly mentions the question of illegal immigration.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs from 2008 to 2009, discusses the progress made in freedom of movement by the establishment of the Schengen Area. He explains that the creation of Europol and Eurojust has improved police and judicial coordination, but he also emphasises the slow progress in European immigration policy.