The relations between the EU and Russia were brought up, with people asking if cooperation with Russia would ever be possible. "The EU and the Russian Federation are neighbours and therefore I think that we should find a way to cooperate, if Russia wants to cooperate with us," Schulz replied, adding that had met with the Russian ambassador just before the chat started.
Many chat participants asked about security themed issues, such as how to deal with returning foreign fighters. President Schulz said reintegrating the returning fighters should be tried if "they are prepared to leave their fanatic path," and that that more should be done also to combat social exclusion.
To questions concerning the recent proposal on a common European army, Schulz replied "we need a common foreign and security policy", explaining that combined military capacities would be a way of reducing military spending in a time when "money is certainly needed elsewhere".
President Schulz was also asked about creating growth and jobs and at the same time battling unemployment. "In the investment plan, we should connect investments and the support of enterprises to the employment of young people," he said. "What we need is to ensure we can get growth and employment going again". Schulz also stressed that young people must find jobs where they are living, and that freedom of movement should be a privilege, not a must.
REF. : 20150310STO33150
