PES ENVI Network: a strong European Green Deal will be the bedrock of the recovery

PES ENVI Network: a strong European Green Deal will be the bedrock of the recovery

With support from the socialist and democratic family, Executive Vice-President Timmermans is spearheading a just transition to a more sustainable future for Europe.

Commission representatives, PES member parties, PES member organisations and MEPs held a videoconference to discuss socialist and democrat efforts to achieve a quick and decisive recovery which is socially fair and sustainable. They endorsed a PES document which sets out proposals to push for increased resource recovery and recycling, a strengthened repair and refurbishment sector, and investment in innovative and green projects – in short, a circular economy for Europe.

Javi Lopez MEP, and the meeting Chair, said:

“In all our discussions, as socialists and democrats, we agree that the Recovery Plan needs to be economically viable, of course socially fair, but also in line with the principles of the Green Deal.  In the face of this crisis, it is not the time to slow down on the just transition of our socio-economic system. Instead the EU must support this transition even more. This is what socialists and democrats are doing.

“Our party family in the European Parliament, in national governments and in the European Commission has done substantial work to make this recovery strategy a success. Now we want to make sure that any attempt to row back on our sustainability and equality ambitions is prevented. We must guarantee that the strong instruments and measures proposed will be followed-up with action swiftly. Our party family stands for a green and social recovery process and a turn away from neoliberal crisis management.

“The European Green Deal, the European Pillar of Social Rights and the SDGs must remain the central guiding principle behind all our European policies, including as we move beyond the immediate recovery measures.”

The meeting was attended by:

  • Javi Lopez, Chair of the Network, Member of the European Parliament, PSC, Spain
  • Diederik Samson, Head of Cabinet for EVP Frans Timmermans, European Commission
  • Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES
  • Mohammed Chahim, Member of the European Parliament, PvdA, Netherlands
  • Roby Biwer, Coordinator ENVE Commission, PES Group in the Committee of the Regions
  • Matteo Favero, Member of Parliament, PD, Italy
  • Nathan Lallemand, Adviser, PS, Belgium
  • Andreas Psaras, Secretary of the Financial Committee, EDEK, Cyprus
  • Alexandros Karydis, Representative, Movement for Change, Greece
  • Ioannis Dalmas, EU Secretary, Movement for Change, Greece
  • Cyrus Engerer, Chief Policy Advisor, Environment Ministry Secretariat, LP, Malta
  • Zefi Dimadama, Vice-President, PES Women
  • Elisha Winckel, Vice-President, YES
  • Charlotte Billingham, Senior Policy Advisor, FEPS
  • Dasa Sasic Silovic, Chair, CEE Network for Gender Issues
  • Estela Pineiro Kruik, Member of the Cabinet to Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, European Commission
  • Justus Schönlau, Policy Adviser, PES Group in the Committee of the Regions
  • Francesco Carteri, Policy Adviser, PES Group in the Committee of the Regions
  • Meri Aho, Policy Adviser ENVI Committee, S&D Group in the EP
  • Eleni Dimitrakoudi, Policy Adviser ENVI Committee, S&D Group in the EP