Tomorrow the leaders of the European member states will meet in Bratislava to discuss the future of the Union. At this crucial moment for the integration project, 177 European and national civil society organisations and trade unions have launched a call for a more humane Europe, where people are given priority over any other interest: A new Europe for people, planet and prosperity for all.
Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament support this initiative and ask national leaders to listen to what Europeans expect from them.
S&D vice-president Kathleen Van Brempt, responsible for sustainability, said:
"As social democrats we fully support the initiative taken by the European trade unions and civil society. Their signal is clear: leaders in Bratislava should renew their commitment to the European project by choosing solidarity before competition and conflict, and citizens before institutions.
"Therefore, an ambitious, concrete and positive agenda is needed, working towards a new, fair and sustainable economy in the service of European citizens, flanked by a strong social pillar protecting Europeans from misfortune. European civil society is asking European leaders to focus on transition policies, which will create hope for a prosperous future."
S&D vice-president Maria João Rodrigues, responsible for economic and social affairs, said:
"European citizens want practical solutions to Europe's problems. The good news is that Europe has already formulated concrete and detailed solutions: a strong majority in the European Parliament has agreed a roadmap, the Juncker Commission has shown readiness to act, and 177 trade unions and civil society groups are sending a similar message: Europe needs to act together for a proper recovery, social rights and sustainable development.
"The big question for the Bratislava summit is: will national leaders act like European leaders, or will they avoid the difficult questions? Everybody agrees that security is important and Europe needs to control its external borders. But, what about the economy, what about social inequalities, what about implementing the Paris agreement on keeping climate change under control?
"Economic and social insecurity is what's driving nationalistic movements today, it is also the main factor behind the Brexit vote. Heads of State and Government gathering in Bratislava should open their eyes to this and commit to much stronger European action for sustainable development and upward social convergence."
More information about the initiative: A new Europe for people, planet and prosperity for all can be found here: https://www.etuc.org/press/new-europe-people-planet-and-prosperity-all#.V9lbxU1f2Un
