4.1. EM Belgium
‘Destination Europe 2006’
The European Movement Belgium organises two ‘Destination Europe-weekends’ for students from secondary school. The aim of these weekends is to make the youngsters aware and teach them about Europe.
The Dutch weekend takes place from 13 until 15 October, for more information click here. The French weekend takes place from 20 until 22 October, for more information click here.
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‘50th Anniversary of the negotiations of Val Duchesse 1956-2006’
In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the negotiations of Val Duchesse which lead up to the Treaties of Rome in 1957, the European Movement – Belgium organised an “Open Door” day and an informative exposition on the fields of the domain Val Duchesse and in the Château Sainte-Anne. 15000 people visited the event.
For a report and pictures on this event in French, click here.
For a report and pictures on this event in Dutch, click here.
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‘Discover Europe-Evening: Bulgaria’
The European Movement Belgium and the Embassy of Bulgaria organised a ‘Discover Europe- Evening: Bulgaria’ on the 28th of September 2006.
For a report and pictures on this event in French, click here.
For a report and pictures on this event in Dutch, click here.
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4.2. EM Croatia
Key Point Dialog facilities Plan D
European Movement Croatia has started the project launched by Dino Karabeg, PhD. - University of Oslo, under the title “Key Point Dialog.” The first round table was organized on 20th September and was attended by prominent members of Croatian civil society.
Key Point: Can Europe once again create a guiding vision and take the lead in a new direction of development? We believe this is both the global conditions are calling for, and what will bring energy and enthusiasm to European Movement.
But for this to happen, old forms of communication are a hindrance, because they tend to amplify and give power to the old ideas and thought forms, which already have power. A debate gives the ideas which can be expressed in the old language a winning place. A poll gives advantage to thoughts and directions which are already known and statistically dominant.
What is needed is a dialog – a free and safe space to express new ideas and possibilities, to place them into the public space where they can be taken over by others and amplified. This work cannot be done centrally. It cannot be done by the method proposed in Plan D and the White Book.
As the complementary medium to the round tables Internet is used.
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EUROPEAN MOVEMENT CROATIA EDUCATES
CROATIAN ENTREPRENEURS ABOUT EUROPEAN UNION
The educational programme on 'What should Croatian entrepreneurs and managers know about the European Union?' took place between 22nd and 26th September on Koločep island near Dubrovnik, known as the Isle of Knowledge. It was co-organised by the European Movement Croatia, the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Croatia and the Isle of Knowledge – a non-profit institution that also hosted the event in its facilities. The event gathered almost a hundred Croatian entrepreneurs and managers of SMEs. They learned about the opportunities and risks related to the European market integration and the accession of Croatia into the EU, as well as about SME policy which assists them in adapting to the new circumstances, pre-accession funds available to them, the experiences of other countries etc. Project applications and the basics of project cycle management were also tackled. The lecturers included high level government officials and experts from Croatia, Ireland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
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EUROPEAN MOVEMENT CROATIA INVOLVED
IN PRESENTATION OF FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 7 IN CROATIA
The workshop on Framework Programme 7 project applications was held from 27 until 29 September on Koločep island. Its organisers were the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, supported by European Movement Croatia and the Isle of Knowledge – a non-profit institution set up to promote the knowledge-based development of Koločep, a small island near Dubrovnik. European Movement Croatia supported the event and assisted in its logistics. The workshop was attended by over one hundred Croatian researchers from a variety of disciplines and academic institutions. The participants attended small group workshops led by a British-Israeli consultancy team. They were introduced to the novelties brought about by the upcoming beginning of the Framework Programme 7 and the implications of those changes for the funding of their research activities. Moreover, they learned about networking and co-operating with partner institutions from abroad, financial and organisational aspects of project implementation and other relevant issues.
Contact: Renata Bacic
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4.3. EM Germany
The network European Movement Germany’s Board meets EC President Barroso
On the 22nd of September the Board of the European Movement Germany met for the second time. The President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso was also present for a short discussion in the Board-meeting rooms of the European Commission. The meeting was held together with the scientific Board of Governors of our sister organisation the Institut für Europäische Politik, that gathered also in the morning. Questioned about his opinions and evaluations about the German Council’s Presidency, Barroso preferred not to make any direct statements about it and only referred to the traditional high expectations of other EU-Member states towards Germany, because of the role it always played in the process of European integration and for the realisation of the Common Market.
Barroso also cleared that the greatest expectations concern the realisation of the European Constitution, though solutions are not to be expected during the German presidency. In fact the hope lies in the so called “Berlin Declaration” which should draw a road-map for a new configuration of the constitution, which, according to Barroso
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EU-Countdown: Central Issues of the German Council’s Presidency
After the successful kick-Off of the EU-Countdowns on the 21st of September 2006, the second event took place in the Europa-Saal at the Auswärtiges Amt in Berlin on the 4th of October, that organised it together with the Ministry for Technology and Business and the Network Europäische Bewegung Deutschland.
In a speech in front of about 160 EU-Actors from various interest-groups, the Secretary of State Reinhard Silberberg anticipated how prepared the federal Government is for the Council’s Presidency.
The federal Government of Germany has worked on the program in close cooperation with the Finnish government and the European Commission. Great consideration has also been paid to the up-coming challenges, and besides the need for a new way of thinking and a Europe ready to deal with globalisation and able to give answers to it has been stressed.
Another key issue of the German Council’s Presidency, from which the other EU partners expect a solution, is the EU-Constitution. A final proposal will be made towards the end of the German Semester, while at the beginning the Presidency will only hold various consultations.
Other crucial priorities of the federal Government to be handled are: “the economic growth dynamic and the social Responsibility”, the Energy and Migration policies, and the EU’s foreign trade policy. Other aims of the presidency concern the strengthening of the European Agency (FRONTEX) for operative cooperation outside the EU-borders and for a closer cooperation in the fields of Justice and Police. Discussions over the relationship with Russia and the accession negotiations with Turkey will be deepened.
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EU-Countdown: Expectations of the European Parliament
The third stage of the EU-Countdown has now been reached. The MEP Klaus-Heiner Lehne has explained on the 12th of October 2006 at the Ministry of the Economy, in presence of the Secretary of State Dr. Joachim Wuermeling, what expectations and views the European Parliament has towards the German Council’s Presidency.
At the beginning Lehne has underlined the distinctive character of the European Parliament, which knows neither government action nor opposition action. According to the MEP, the Council’s presidency’s chances of success are overestimated, nonetheless the economic themes, that will be discussed during the German Presidency, remain the most important aims to be achieved.
According to Lehne the themes to focus on are: Better Legislation including the concept of Soft Law, reduction of rules, estimation of the consequences of legislation, advancement and balance of the Lisbon-Process, reform of the rules making process on economic issues, green book discussion on consumers protection, final arrangements of the Services Directive, transatlantic free-trade zone, and the use of European integration as the answer to globalisation.
As final statement he explained that only a short period of time remains after the French general elections in order to find constructive views and prospects on the Constitution.
Contact: Graziano Paolicelli
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4.4. EM Ukraine
The EM Ukraine President to attend the Roundtable “Ukraine and NATO Membership” in Washington, DC
Mr. Oleksandr Biletskyi, European Movement Ukraine President will travel to Washington, DC on the 17/18 October, 2006 to attend the Ukraine's Quest for Mature Nation Statehood - Roundtable VII: “Ukraine and NATO Membership”. The two day conference will bring together government and key non-government representatives of Ukraine, the United States and Ukraine’s several neighbours as well as experts from the world of academia to examine and evaluate Ukraine’s readiness to assume a place in the Euro-Atlantic world in one of its two critical dimensions, or more precisely, to accede to the historically singular security alliance known as NATO. The event will run four regular sessions featuring eight panels, six highlight focus sessions, two working lunches and two conference receptions. In total, more than seventy speakers are expected to address the conference proceedings.
Conferences in the Ukraine's Quest for Mature Nation Statehood series have convened annually since 2000 and have proven an invaluable forum for the examination of Ukraine's development as a modern, democratic state. Previous conferences in this series evaluated Ukraine's relationship with the United States and the European Union, its transition to a market economy, and the development of stable, democratic politics.
Past speakers from the government of Ukraine have included Boris Tarasyuk, minister of foreign affairs; Oleh Rybachuk, former chief of staff under President Viktor Yushchenko; and former Prime Ministers Anatoliy Kinakh and Yuriy Yekhanurov.
Among the American and European participants have been Zbigniew Brzezinski, former U.S. National Security Adviser; Paul Wolfowitz, president of the World Bank; Senator Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Senator John McCain, chairman of the International Republican Institute; Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs; Guenter Burghardt, former ambassador of the European Union to the United States; Geza Jeszensky, former minister of foreign affairs for Hungary; and recognized experts on regional affairs such as Anders Aslund and James Sherr.
See the news on the website of EM Ukraine.
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4.5. EM France
The European Movement-France now publishes a daily newspaper, in French language, on European affairs: "Europe Midi". Short articles present the daily news of the European institutions and the most important events in the member states (elections, main speeches of political leaders...). 5 minutes are all you need to know what's going on in Europe!
This publication, launched two weeks ago, already counts thausends of readers.
Free suscribtions on the European Movement-France website (click on the link).
Contact: Héloïse Tarraud
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4.6. EM UK/Scotland
Plan D debate in Inverness
A very successful D for Democracy conference was held in Inverness, capital of the Highlands, on 15 September. Edvard Outrata, Vice-President of EMI, gave a fascinating talk about the Czech republic then and now, which was of particular interest to the young people present. Michael Aron, Head of the Scottish Executive in Brussels, spoke on Scotland’s role in Europe and Neil Mitchison, Head of the EU office in Scotland, spoke about the role of Scotland in Europe.
Commissioner Mandelson will address our next “D for Democracy” conference in Stirling on 03 November, together with Sir Stephen Wall, former Adviser on Europe to Tony Blair, and Rt. Hon. Brian Wilson, former government Minister of Energy.
For further details visit www.euromove.org.uk and click on Scotland
EM Scotland contact: Barbara MacLeod
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Special General Meeting of EM UK / 25th November, London
The UK European Movement is holding a Special General Meeting for all members on Saturday 25th November in London at the City University, Northampton Square. The meeting starts at 11am. The main purpose of the meeting will be to examine a new Constitution of the Organisation and to discuss implementation of the Plan D Project. More details will be issued shortly.
Contact: Margaret Daly
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EM UK launches its e-newsletter
The European Movement UK launched its e-newsletter service.
In case you would like to register, send your subscription requests to europeanmovement@btconnect.com with "subscribe" in the subject line
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4.7. EM Serbia
CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE LOCAL OMBUDSPERSONS’ NETWORK IN SERBIA
European Movement in Serbia in cooperation with Legal Forum from Belgrade, supported by OSCE will manage a project Capacity Building of the Local Ombudspersons’ Network in Serbia for 11 municipalities that have introduced the institution of local ombudsman. The project aims to build capacity of existing local Ombudspersons in Serbia through the best tailored seminars aimed at advancing their working techniques - lobbying skills and public relations strategy.
Contact: Nebojsa Milenkovic
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4.8. ELDR
ELDR welcomes Bulgaria and Romania's accession to the EU on 1 January 2007
Annemie Neyts, President of the European Liberal Democrats, expressed her satisfaction at the European Commission's decision to confirm Bulgaria and Romania's on-time EU entry on 1 January 2007.
"The ELDR Party has been a long standing supporter of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU on 1st January 2007, provided the two countries fulfilled the necessary requirements. We appreciate all the reforms that have been carried out in both countries, notably under the committed leadership of our liberal partners - Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu and former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe Coburg Gotha. We believe that in their best interests the two countries will continue to prepare well", she stated.
Visit the ELDR website.
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Bucharest to be European Capital of Liberalism on 12-13 October
Held every autumn, the European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) Party annual Congress is one of the largest political events in Europe. This year, the 27th ELDR Party Congress will take place in Bucharest, Romania, on 12-13 October 2006. By holding its Congress in Romania, shortly before the country's expected accession to the EU, ELDR marks its commitment to spreading prosperity, democracy and individual freedoms across Europe.
"Strong political will and liberal reforms have turned Romania into a success story. Once in the EU, Romania will fight with the same energy and commitment for liberal values to develop the European project. It is my pleasure to host the ELDR Party congress in Bucharest where we will work together on developing European security policies based on the liberal principles," stated Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, Prime Minister of Romania and ELDR Party Vice President.
Visit the ELDR website.
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Cecilia Malmström will lead Sweden's EU policy with style and conviction
Expressing her satisfaction after the nomination of Cecilia Malmström as EU Affairs minister in the new Swedish government, ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts MEP said:
"Cecilia has been a very successful MEP and I am certain she will be an excellent EU Affairs Minister for Sweden. Her Party Folkpartiet and Centerpartiet, both ELDR member parties, have come up with clear and inspiring proposals for Europe ahead of the elections, pledging to make Europe part of everyday life in Sweden. Under her leadership, I have no doubt that Sweden will succeed in playing a decisive role in Europe's future".
The European Liberal Democrats also congratulate Folkpartiet Leader Lars Leijonborg and Centerpartiet Leader Maud Olofsson for their nominations as deputy Prime ministers and appointments as ministers for Education and Industry.
Visit the ELDR website.
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4.9. JEF Europe
JEF on the streets across Europe on Peace Day!
JEF pan-European public action on Peace Day for a Single European Foreign Policy
On Peace Day, 21st of September, JEFers all across Europe took to the streets to state their demand for a Single European Foreign Policy that would allow Europe to act for peace, justice and international law in the world. Going jointly to the streets in over 10 cities across all of Europe from Skopje to Brussels, JEF stated its demand loud and clear – just as Europe could if speaking with a single voice!
[more]
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JEF pan-European public action against VISA, 9th November 2006
Europe is coming closer and closer to our dream of an united continent but still visa restrictions continues to prevent people from moving freely across Europe, often imposing costly, time consuming and even humiliating procedures. This year the visa fees have even been increased by almost the double, making freedom of movement even more exclusive.
JEF takes action!
9th of November, the day of the fall of the Berlin wall, JEF is therefore organizing a pan- European public action. In public spaces across all Europe JEFers will build up a symbolic "visa wall" with the text
VISA = BORDERS" or "VISA RESTRICTION". Like this we will show the public and Europe’s leaders that visa creates borders in Europe - just like the Berlin wall once did!
Join the action in your country with your JEF section! Only together we can deliver a really strong message for a Europe United! Please contact asa.gunven@jef-europe.net if you are planning to take part so that we can send you more info, PR drafts but also to include you in the web and our presswork.
Joint action in Brussels!
In Brussels we are organizing a joint action with all youth political parties and other NGOs on the 8th of November, the day before the pan-European action, at 12.30 pm at in front of the European Council at Schuman. Everyone is welcomed to join and spread the info about these actions!
Contact in the JEF Office: Vassilis Stamogiannis
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JEF Press Release: OneSeat.eu - 1 million citizens do care
Press release, 18 September 2006, for immediate release
Today the oneseat.eu campaign has reached its goal of one million signatures! Jan Seifert, President of JEF-Europe (the Young European Federalists), welcomes the great support for strengthening the European Parliament and congratulates the organisers of the campaign for their success.
Oneseat.eu is the first initiative ever to reach support by 1 million signatures.
According to article 47 of the draft Constitutional Treaty the Commission has to take up an issue
which is petitioned for by one million citizens of the Union.
“The oneseat.eu campaign has shown that European citizens do care about the European
Union and its chamber, the European Parliament” declared the delighted president of JEF. “One
million citizens call for an end of the annual waste of 200 million Euros for a symbol that
stands for waste rather than investment.”
“It is a scandal that MEPs do not even have a say over their own working place.” Jan Seifert
continued “By signing up for oneseat.eu European citizens explicitly asked the Commission and the
European leaders to take an open stand in regards to the question of the Strasbourg seat. JEF has
supported the initiative and agrees with the organisers in putting an end to the Strasbourg seat. The
European Parliament needs one seat and this has to be in Brussels, the site of the other
institutions.”
“The oneseat.eu campaign has also shown that the new instrument of a European citizens
initiative based on article 47 of the Constitutional Treaty is a necessary instrument to give the
citizens ownership of the European project. It is now time to move forward and make the citizens
initiative legally enforceable as part of a European Constitution.” Seifert demanded.
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4.10. UEF
The XXVth edition of the Ventotene International Seminar Report
The XXVth edition of the Ventotene International Seminar, “Federalism in Europe and the World”, organized by the Altiero Spinelli Institute with the cooperation of JEF-Italy, took place on the days September 3-8. It involved participants and speakers from 15 different European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom), and two “outsiders”, respectively from Canada and Sri Lanka.
A wide range of topics was covered, during conferences and debates: from the role of Europe in the new global order to other political, institutional, economical, ecological, and social issues; from the delicate issue of European citizenship to the chance of federalism as a new political commitment and the current strategic proposals of the federalist movement; from globalization to the opportunity of the EU as an actor of peace and link among cultures. The mix of speakers coming from different backgrounds proved to be interesting, and important for the exchange of political and cultural experiences, not to mention the chance to compare different feelings about Europe across generations.
You can read the official Italian version here (RTF).
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Europe 2046 - Global Challenges, European Answers /
Zurich/Weggis/Hertenstein, Switzerland, 22-24 September
Forty years ago, in September 1946, Winston Churchill gave his famous speech at the University of Zurich, in which he pleaded for the United States of Europe. Shortly after that, European federalists convened in a conference in Hertenstein which lay the political foundation for the Europa-Union Deutschland (EUD) and later the Union of European Federalists (UEF). At the occasion of the 60th anniversary of these important events Nebs (Neue Europäische Bewegung Schweiz), EUD, UEF and JEF (Young European Federalists) organised a three-day seminar in order to celebrate together and critically reflect the historical importance of the above mentioned events.
120 participants from all over Europe and from all age-groups came together review European integration in various fields and to discuss some of the biggest issues the world is facing in the next 40 years, namely Economy, Geopolitics and Sustainability. The participants were asked to think about possible future scenarios of Europe in 2046 in these areas, looking at several key factors.
To read more about the Hertenstein seminar please visit the following link.
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Federalist reaction to Commission White Paper on European Communication Policy: good, but not yet enough
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) have today published their comments on the European Commission White Paper on European Communication Policy.
A better communication strategy alone will not solve the current problems of the public opinion and understanding. If there are no decisive steps towards a real pan-European democratic process, critical feelings among the citizens are likely to increase.
But, in order to build citizens’ confidence in the European process, the federalists propose some concrete steps which can be taken immediately.
1. Open up the Council of Ministers
Democratic reforms will improve communication and public understanding of the EU. An immediate step, which does not require any change to the treaties, would be to have complete openness of the legislative sessions of the Council of Ministers.
2. Do not impose debate, but focus on policy delivery
The Commission should look for more »Erasmus type« policies that are positive for the people in their daily lives. The protection of the rights of air passengers is a step forward: we need more policies like that.
3. Bad politics can’t become good news
Simplify the issues, deal with the problems and the inefficiencies, and cut out the unnecessary policies.
4. Go local with multipliers
Build a stronger connection with local government and local associations of all kinds.
5. Enlist the national level
Member state governments should be reminded of their own need for a successful and popular European Union. They must therefore take part in the necessary communications process themselves.
Dr. Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER, UEF Secretary-General, said: “The European Union needs to demonstrate its relevance to the citizen. Some practical improvements in communication will make a big difference in the fight for a federal Europe.” Jan SEIFERT, JEF President, said “Young people in particular often feel isolated from the European process. The EU must act to fill that generation gap by taking young people and their concerns seriously.”
You can download the full text here (PDF).
For more information about the UEF/JEF or this position paper, please contact:
Dr. Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER, UEF Secretary-General, Tel: +32 2 508 30 30, Email: info@federaleurope.org. Vassilis STAMOGIANNIS, JEF Secretary-General, Tel: +32 25120053, Email: info@jef-europe.net
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UEF campaign
At its last meeting on 1/2 July 2006 in Vienna, the UEF Congress decided to launch a new campaign for a European-wide referendum on a European Constitution to be held at the occasion of the next elections to the European Parliament in 2009.
To read the resolution, please download it from the UEF website (DOC).
The Congress has given the mandate for the launch of this campaign to the new Federal Committee and the new Bureau which will elaborate the political strategy as well as the organizational aspects of this important task.
Please check the UEF website for more information.
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Next UEF Federal Committee / 25-26 November, Brussels
The newly elected Federal Committee of the UEF will have its first meeting in Brussels on 25/26 November. The agenda of the meeting will be available on the UEF website (future events) shortly.
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Two day seminar on the future of Europe /
25-26 November 2006, Besançon
The Committee for a European Federal State is organising a two day conference “Laboratoires d’idées sur le future de l’Europe et de l’action fédéraliste” in Besançon, France.
As can be deducted from the title, the Committee for a European Federal State wants to make its own contribution to the discussion about the crisis the European integration process is currently facing. Because of the crisis in Europe, the European public is growing increasingly skeptical towards the European integration project. Consequently, the Federalist movement is in a crisis too: in which framework do federalists need to advocate a federal Europe? Does that framework coincide with the enlarged European Union, or should there be some sort of core group ahead? And what is the responsibility of the European Federalists? What role can they play?
The working languages will be French and English. Send your registration to: lagier.yves@wanadoo.fr.
To read the updated program, please download it here (DOC).
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4.11. EPP
EPP WELCOMES EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORTS ON BULGARIA AND ROMANIA
The President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, has welcomed the European Commission’s decision of recommending the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union (EU) on January 1st, 2007.
“This is a historic decision. After the accession in 2004 of ten countries from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean area, the EU is now completing the reunification of the European continent. Also, the EPP parties from Bulgaria and Romania will become next year full members of our political family. This is very important for the EPP, the largest transnational party in Europe, since we now have strong partners in these new member states”, President Martens stated.
Visit the website of the EPP.
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