The final meeting of the PES High-Level Working Group on the Future of Europe took place today, discussing not only the remaining details of the policy document but also the key messages which will form the basis of the PES 2019 election manifesto.
Today’s meeting was attended by Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, former Belgian prime minister Elio Di Rupo, Luxembourg’s social minister Nicolas Schmidt, FEPS president Maria João Rodrigues MEP, PES Women President Zita Gurmai and high-level representatives from many PES member parties.
Discussions centred on four key policy areas:
- the economy and social policy
- migration and cultural diversity
- democracy and the rule of law
- international policies
Chairing the meeting, Sergei Stanishev said:
“European socialists and social democrats are determined to present a renewed plan of action to the citizens of Europe, one that rejects populism and extremism and emphasises solidarity, social justice and the rights of all. Our priorities are to fight rising inequality in Europe, and promote economic, social and tax convergence.
“This working group has made an invaluable contribution to this vision for the future of our continent, and the detailed plan we have agreed here will be discussed in the fext few weeks by prime ministers, party leaders and MEPs from the PES family, as well as by a special meeting of our parties’ secretary generals in Copenhagen.”
The finished document on the future of Europe is a detailed response to the European Commission’s consultation on the future of Europe.
