German Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth, chair of the PES GAC network said:
‘I remain concerned about the situation in Poland. We appeal to the Polish authorities to show more willingness to conform to EU values. Attacks on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law are unacceptable. I congratulate the commitment and efforts of the EU Commission’s First Vice President Frans Timmermans in this matter. We will continue to support his significant work. ’
Michael Roth said:
‘Tomorrow EU leaders are meeting in Salzburg and they will be discussing migration. We have agreed that solidarity among member states is essential to be able to manage migration successfully. The technical details are already being negotiated, but we still don’t have a clear political commitment for a common European response.’
On the long-term EU budget, Roth said:
‘One of our key priorities for the next years is to bridge inequalities within countries and between countries. The European Budget is the main instrument for that. We need to stand for the current priorities and prepare for the challenges ahead. The aim of this budget is to make people’s lives better and we will make sure it does.’
Participants’ list
- Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe, Germany, Chair of the meeting
- Helena Dalli, Minister for European Affairs and Equality, Malta
- Ana Paula Zacarias, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Portugal
- Victor Negrescu, Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Romania
- Marco Aguiriano, Secretary of State for the EU, Spain
- Ann Linde, Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, Sweden
- George Katrougalos, Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Greece (observer)
- Frans Timmermans, First Vice President of the European Commission
- Frazer Clarke, Deputy Secretary-General of the S&D Group, European Parliament
- Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary-General, PES
