Social democrats back EU membership goal for Balkans
30 May 2006
European social democratic party leaders meeting in Sofia pledged to give their full support for EU membership of all the countries of the Western Balkans – and to take concrete steps to increase regional cooperation through closer links between social democratic parties in the region.
In a meeting in the capital of Bulgaria organised by the Party of European Socialists and hosted by Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, the party leaders agreed that “closer cooperation with the EU and a clear perspective for accession are the best means to preserve and build on stability in the region.”
The leaders – who included Boris Tadic, President of Serbia; Vlado Buckovski; Prime Minister of FYR of Macedonia; Filip Vujanovic, President of Montenegro; Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister of Republika Srpska; Mircea Geoana, Leader of the Romanian Social Democrats; Ivica Racan, Leader of the Croatian SDP; Edi Rama, leader of the Socialist Party of Albania; Ranko Krivakopic, leader of SDP Montenegro, Slobodan Orlic Vice President of SDP, Serbia; Svetozar Pudaric, Secretary General of SDP Bosnia I Herzegovina; Ilir Meta, leader of SMI of Albania; Alexandra Dobolyi, MEP, PES Presidency member; Hannes Swoboda, Vice-President of the PES Group in the European Parliament; Jean Asselborn, Vice-Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg and George Papandreou, leader of PASOK and SI President – also agreed that “regional cooperation within the Western Balkans is a fundamental requirement for economic progress and democratic development.”
The leaders resolved to hold annual meetings of Balkan social democratic party leaders and to support the modernisation, reform and development of social democratic parties in the region through increased visits and delegations from the PES and between the parties.
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, said “This was not just another meeting but a new start. European social democratic leaders want to be in the forefront of building permanent peace and prosperity in the Balkans. This journey must have EU membership as its goal, although the road will not be easy.”
Rasmussen, who took part in a press conference in Sofia with the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the Presidents of Serbia and Montenegro, said “It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for the leaders of Montenegro and Serbia to be sat at the same table, working together to achieve an amicable divorce of their countries. That is the reality today with social democratic leaders showing that there is a better future than nationalism and intolerance. This gives great hope for the Balkans.”
More information: Julian Scola, PES Press Officer, mobile 00 32 486 117 394,
