At the PES Euromed Conference in Tunis, Fatah Commissioner for International Relations, Nabil Shaath, gave an exclusive outline of the agreement that his party made with Hamas. As he explained, through this deal Hamas and Fatah came to an agreement regarding the next elections thanks to “concessions from the two sides propelled by the feeling that unity is a must if we want to get freedom, independence and peace for our country”. Elections will take place in one year and will bring to an end the political division between the West Bank and Gaza.

The European Union is suffering from the effects of the financial economic crisis. More than ever, millions of European citizens are confronted with painful cuts which affect the poorest most of all. Social allowances are reduced and jobs are being cut. At the same time, the bonus culture in the financial world has restarted.

The PES strongly condemns the brutal oppression in Syria by pro-Government security forces against peaceful advocates of democracy. The people expect the dissolution of the regime and are calling for comprehensive democratic reforms. The PES demands that the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, and his acolytes cease their savage tactics. Democracy representatives and activists currently under detention on illegitimate grounds must be released immediately.

Schengen dilution is an ‘abdication of European principle’

The Party of European Socialists (PES) deplores the attempt by the conservatives to dismantle the Schengen agreement. The European Commission is caving into the demands of French President Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, who have been putting stronger and stronger pressure on the European Union to implement stricter rules on migration. Changing a fundamental treaty such as the Schengen agreement would attack the foundation of the European Union itself, as freedom of movement is one of the fundamental principle upon which the European Union is based.