Summit has option to avoid lack of decisions

13 June 2006

This week's Summit must take some concrete political decisions to avoid being a low point in the Austrian Presidency warned PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

"I fear a summit of fine words and good intentions and very few concrete decisions" said Rasmussen. "If the Commission and Austrian Presidency get their way it looks like the major debate will be on whether to hold future debates in public. All the issues on the table that really matter risk being postponed to a later date. It doesnt need to be that way."

"What we really need in Europe is a clear commitment to make a difference to the lives of Europe's citizens."

"A decision-less Summit would be no way to rebuild confidence in Europe. We all know there are big projects down the road - including a new common energy policy. But this summit risks sending out the wrong signals at the wrong time unless it takes some firm decisions about the future direction of Europe."

"I urge the Council to give Romania and Bulgaria a more positive message about joining the EU in January 2007. I know that some conservatives are sceptical about enlargement but Romania and Bulgaria need to be told that they will be welcomed as members of the EU on January 1 2007." 

For more information: Julian Scola, PES Press Officer, tel +32 2 548 9085, mobile +32 486 117 394,