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EPP meeting of government and party leaders 14 June - Gothenburg







Texts adopted:
  • Resolution on Irish Referendum and future Treaty changes
  • Declaration on dynamic and competitive social market economy
  • Declaration on the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention on refugees

    Photos of the meeting


    Martens calls for change in how Europe shapes its future

    Gothenburg, June 15, 2001


    Despite the setback of the Irish referendum on the Nice Treaty, the EPP remained fully committed to rapid EU enlargement, and to the goal of 2004 for accepting new members of the Union, EPP President Wilfried MARTENS told a press conference in Göteborg last night.

    But lessons had to be drawn from the Irish debacle. There had to be a different method of agreeing Treaty reform, he said. The Convention model successfully used to prepare the Charter of Fundamental Rights was "always something which the EPP took as its own - it's a model we would favour."

    Referring to a declaration debated by the EPP's enlarged summit ( final text available on 18/06) Martens also said that government and party leaders were united behind the strategic goals agreed at Lisbon - of Europe becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010.

    Sweden's Moderaterna leader Bo LUNDGREN stressed the importance of a new round of World Trade Organisation negotiations. Although there were disagreements with the US, notably on agriculture and services, the common agenda was "very close", he said, as had been proved in the talks between EU leaders and President George W Bush - in Göteborg on his European tour .

    Liberalising the European economies, especially in the area of utilities and telecoms "must not be postponed any longer," Lundgren said. There had to be more open, market-based economic policies, meaning further deregulation, lower taxes, open trade, and greater labour market flexibility.

    Alf SVENSSON, leader of the EPP other member party in Sweden, the Kristdemokraterna, argued that one lesson of the Irish referendum was that "we need to be more humble and engaged in our political work", and to recognise that European Union was a process. It should also be understood how much benefit it had brought. Life in Europe would be "unimaginable" without it, he said.

    Kostas KARAMANLIS, leader of Nea Dimokratia in Greece, presented a detailed report to the EPP summit on the deepening crisis in the Balkans. He told the press conference that the solution lay in firmly rejecting talks with terrorists, and an equally firm commitment throughout the region to human rights and to partnership with the European Union.


    For further information call Edward STEEN, chef de presse (32 2) 285 4156


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