Socialist MEPs accused of 'snubbing' Congress of Europe event

The opening of a major debate on Europe's future has been overshadowed by a furious row.
 
It follows claims that two senior Socialist politicians “snubbed” the event, aimed at marking the 60th anniversary of the Congress of Europe.
 
Former Danish prime minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and his PES colleague Martin Schulz were both due to speak on a panel on Saturday but pulled out at the 11th hour.
 
Schulz will be replaced by Dutch MEP Ieke van den Burg while no-one will stand in for Rasmussen.
 
According to a source with the European Movement, the event organiser, Rasmussen said he was "insufficiently" prepared for the debate, while he said Schulz gave no reason for the no-show.
 
"Rasmussen said his staff had not briefed him sufficiently, so he said he was unable to attend. This is a pretty lame excuse because Mr Rasmussen has known for ages that he was due to speak," said the source.
 
Criticism also came from Wilfried Martens, a former Belgian premier and president of the European People's Party, who said, "It is very disappointing as I believe senior political figures should be here to take part in what is an important debate on Europe's future. I have come for two days so one has to ask why they could not attend for just one day.”
 
Esko Antola, one of 500 delegates who had travelled for the event in The Hague was even more scathing, accusing the two Socialists of “snubbing” the congress.
 
Antola, the director of Centrum Balticu, a Finnish think-tank, said, “It must be very annoying for the organisers and also for the structure of the debate as it means the Socialists will not be represented at a senior level.

“It seems strange they should pull out at such short notice. Maybe they have something they regard as being more important to attend or could it be that they do not want to field potentially awkward questions with the European elections looming.”
 
Rasmussen, president of the Party of European Socialists, and Schulz, a German deputy, were due to take part in a debate of European political leaders alongside Martens from the EPP, Graham Watson and Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroek from the ALDE group and ELDR party, and Philippe Lamberts from the Greens.
 
The session involved answering questions from the public and representatives of civil society who have gathered in the Dutch city for the showpiece occasion.
 
The two-day conference is aimed at celebrating the 60th anniversary of the congress of Europe, the post-war meeting which indirectly led to the creation of the EU and bodies such as the Council of Europe. Another last-minute withdrawal was former MEP Nana Mouskouri, who was due to take part in a workshop debate on Friday. Delegates have been asked to produce 60 ideas to help shape the future of Europe.

Rasmussen and Schulz were unavailable for comment on Friday.

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