By Martin Banks - 22nd March 2007
Parliament’s two main political parties have clashed over what future direction Europe should take.
The European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialist party PES have issued their own “visions for the future” ahead of Sunday’s 50th anniversary “Berlin declaration”.
But both take a different approach to how they believe Europe should move forward.
The PES emphasises the need for a “new social Europe” to be the centrepiece of the EU’s future political ambition.
The statement, to be signed by PES party leaders in Berlin on Saturday, says, “Europe needs new policies to ensure that everyone can participate in, contribute to and benefit from our Europe.”
It argues that the EU cannot hope to be a force in world affairs without a “better” constitutional treaty to the one rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands.
It also commits the party to “welcoming more European nations into its fold”.
A senior PES source claims that the EPP statement is “much more-mealy mouthed”, not least when it comes to the thorny issue of further EU expansion.
He said that in contrast to the PES, the EPP declaration is “silent on future enlargement and does not mention a new treaty.”
“Also, the EPP talk about a Europe based on ‘cultural diversity’. Is this opposed to other types of diversity?” he added.
However, an EPP source pointed out that the party’s statement specifically states that it wishes “to assist the development, in a spirit of friendship and partnership, of relations between the EU and European states which are not members.”
It says the EPP wishes to "continue to work for the consolidation" of European integration.
The declaration also makes specific reference to those who fought communism, saying “We wish to honour the courage and self-sacrifice of those who, for decades, resisted Soviet and communist oppression in their countries.”
The EPP statement will also be adopted in Berlin on Saturday.
Parliament’s third biggest political group, Alde, has not brought out a formal declaration although the Alde group in the Committee of the Regions has issued a nine-point mission statement.
It outlines where it says action is needed at EU level, including the promotion of tolerance and equality.
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