REAL AUDIO



Dear delegates and friends


It is my pleasure to welcome you to Toulouse on the occasion of the XII Congress of the European People's Party.

Let me first of all thank our French member party "Force Démocrate", and its leader François Bayrou for inviting us to meet here and for his continuing contribution to the work and development of the European People's Party. We are also grateful to the Mayor of Toulouse, Dominique Baudis, for his help with the organisation of this Congress in his city and for the excellent facilities he has placed at our disposal.

The aim of the Congress is to take a closer look at how Europe should respond to the consequences of globalization. The European People's Party does not want to passively observe the massive social, economic and political changes that are taking place in Europe and throughout the world. If we want to guarantee peace and prosperity on our continent, have well regulated and fair trading relationships with our main economic partners and encourage democracy and progress throughout the developing countries we need to shape our future ourselves and take an active part in it. Hence the theme of our Congress "We are all part of one world".

About 300 delegates from 35 political parties will take part in the different Working Groups each examining different aspects of the main Congress document. They will also discuss a resolution on our strategy for the enlargement of the European Union and adapt some statutory changes enabling the integration of the EUCD (European Union of Christian Democrats) into the EPP.

The European Council of Amsterdam having decided to hold a special European Council on Employment on 20/21 November next, the EPP Congress will of course address this challenge with particular attention.

For the same reason, we convened meetings of the EPP Council (party-leaders) and the EPP Summit (heads of government). Main item on the agenda of both meetings will be the preparation of the special European Council on Employment.

I would like to thank you for your presence and hope that you will have an interesting and fruitful time at our Congress and in the historic city of Toulouse.

Wilfried MARTENS
President of the EPP