Socialists look to give Europe a boost
15 June 2006
Socialist and Social Democratic Party Leaders meeting just before the EU Summit agreed that a common energy policy and new economic growth and jobs are what Europe needs.
“We need a new Treaty that is better than the Nice Treaty, that is beyond discussion” said PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “But we cannot get a new Treaty without people’s trust and confidence. We need to strengthen the bridge between people and Europe by dealing with exactly those questions that touch people’s hopes and concerns. Europe needs to give a clear commitment to make a difference to the lives of its citizens. We must invest in the future well-being of all Europe’s people.”
The PES Leaders set out their priorities for the EU for 2007 including a common European energy policy, intensification of efforts to increase childcare provision, improving education and training across the EU, concerted efforts to promote decent work as part of the EU’s international policies, and a legal framework for protecting essential public services.
“I am confident that with social democrats and socialists playing a leading role in the next three EU Presidencies we can get Europe back on track” said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.
The Leaders agreed that Romania and Bulgaria should be welcomed into the EU on January 1st 2007. “The growing enlargement fatigue of some conservatives is no reason to block their entrance.”
Among those attending the meeting were Prime Ministers José Sócrates, Jiri Paroubek, Sergei Stanishev and Jens Stoltenberg, Deputy Prime Ministers Eero Heinaluoma and Jean Asselborn, Europe Minister Geoff Hoon, Party Leaders Kurt Beck, Piero Fassino, George Papandreou, Francois Hollande, Mircea Geoana, Johan Vande Lanotte, Mark Durkan, Alex Bodry, Michiel Van Hulten, Roberto Villetti, Pat Rabitte, Wojciech Olejniczak, plus Josep Borrell, Martin Schulz, Mercedes Bresso and Commissioners Verheugen and Kovacs.
For more information Julian Scola, Press Officer, Party of European Socialists, , tel 00 32 486 117 394
