European Forum

PES conference in Sarajevo 'Progressive Societies in the Balkans'

PRESS RELEASE
Party of European Socialists
30 March 2010

˝The best way for the the Western Balkans to prepare for EU membership is by applying the principles of Social Democracy˝, said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Party of European Socialists (PES) President, speaking in Sarajevo at the PES organised conference 'Progressive Societies in the Balkans'. He added that ˝all that extreme nationalism does is to send a message to the European Union that the region is 'closed for business'“

Mr. Rasmussen was speaking in Sarajevo to over hundred Social Democracy political leaders from the Western Balkans, and representatives from the European Union. He underlined that 2014 was a symbolic  and clear date, as the centenary of the start of world war one, for EU membership for countries in the region.

˝The best way we can rearch the people of the region, and to promote enthusiasm for EU membership, is to show that the social democratic route is the route towards growth and jobs˝, Rasmussen added.

Bosnian leader of the SDP, Zlatko Lagumdžija stated that as part of the move towards EU membership: ˝The role of Social Democrats is confidence building among and between the peoples. If we don't do it˝, Lagumdžija stated, ˝no one else will, certainly not the conservatives˝.

Edi Rama, leader of the Albanian Social Democrats and Mayor of Tirana, said that; ˝Europe should not lower ambition and standards for the Western Balkan region. Social Democracy is about raising standards and should continue to be, as we move towards EU membership˝.

The leaders from the Western Balkan Social Democratic Parties will continue to discuss cooperation and coordination strategies and are due to sign a declaration between the representatives at the conclusion of the conference on Tuesday 31 March.


Please find attached the Declaration on the PES Balkan conference adopted by the participants of the conference.

For more information on the conference please follow the link: http://www.pes.org/en/news/social-democracy-route-western-balkans-move-towards-european-union

 

Source: Picture (Google images)