PES Statement for World AIDS Day
adopted by the PES Presidency
1 December 2005

Supporting the Global Progressive Forum campaign on HIV/AIDS, the PES fully recognises the gravity of the AIDS crisis: HIV/AIDS threatens human, social and economic development world-wide. The pandemic is at its worst in developing countries, especially sub-saharan Africa. It is a profound problem that requires profound responses.

The PES acknowledges that tackling AIDS requires confronting controversial issues in ways that not everyone finds easy. There is a need for societies to deal with HIV/AIDS in an open and well-informed manner. Reluctance to talk about sex, sexuality and drug use has to be overcome. The root causes of the vulnerability of women and young people to HIV must be faced and challenged.

The PES believes that only universal access to sexual and reproductive health information and services will prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Prevention that is not scientifically-based and effective is a hindrance in the struggle against HIV/AIDS and should be rejected.

The PES calls on the European Union, its member governments and partner countries to show leadership and step up all the necessary efforts to halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The PES calls on the European Union to
• Ensure that all  necessary steps are taken to give developing countries access to the drugs and medicines needed to treat those with HIV/AIDS, including generic medicines
• Encourage programmes to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights including actions to reduce vulnerability
• Increase funding for research into new products for preventing, diagnosing and treating HIV/AIDS
• Allocate sufficient resources in the new Financial Perspectives to support the fight against HIV/AIDS in developing countries.

AIDS activists meet European Socialist politicians: see pictures