In accordance with previous practice, the EPP Group will be organizing study days after the Summer recess. The enlargement of the European Union took us to Helsinki last year. This time the Swedish delegation are our hosts in Stockholm.

In the run-up to the special EU summit on employment, the subjects for the study days will provide considerable food for thought.

How can the European Union maintain and strengthen its competitiveness in view of the increasing trend towards globalization? Can the enormous unemployment rates be tackled through greater flexibility on the labour market, and can this be achieved without jeopardizing the principle of solidarity which the EPP advocates?

EPP Members of the European Parliament will also have an opportunity of discussing the latest trends towards Monetary Union following guest presentations by the governors of the national banks of France and Sweden.

The point of no return for the Euro has been reached. Thanks to the efforts made by a number of Member States there is increasing convergence between the economies. The legal and technical framework for Economic and Monetary Union has been determined, to guarantee a credible currency from the very outset.

It is obvious to the EPP that the single currency will be a trump card in terms of competitiveness and growth in the European Union. We hope that as many Member States as possible will join the currency union.



Wilfried MARTENS
Chairman of the European People's Party and of the EPP Group in the European Parliament