The EPP leaders debated today the new Treaty of the European Union (EU) during a Summit held in Meise (Brussels).

The eleven heads of State and Government that participated in the meeting accepted and supported Chancellor Angela Merkel's mandate - to have an Intergovernmental Conference and a specific timetable - to table at the European Council.

They all agreed that finding a solution acceptable for all would be a very positive development and would put an end to the current institutional crisis in the EU.

Today's EPP Summit in Meise had a record participation, with 11 heads of State and Government of the EU - including the recently appointed French Prime Mninster Francois Fillon (pictured) - and 4 from non-EU countries. Moreover, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, also attended the meeting.

"The EPP has always taken the lead on the important debates in the EU. Once again, I am convinced that today's EPP Summit contributed significantly for achieving an agreement in the European Council", the President of the EPP and Chairman of the meeting, Wilfried Martens, said.

"After two years of impasse, we need practical solutions for reforming the European institutions and making them more efficient. This new Treaty is vital, particularly since we are now facing huge global challenges such as security, illegal immigration, depletion of energy sources, climate change, demography etc..", President Wilfried Martens added.  

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For more information:

Javier Jiménez
EPP Press Officer
Rue du Commerce, 10
B-1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 285 41 56 / +32 475 480 446
Fax:+ 32 2 285 41 41
E–mail: jjimenez@epp.eu
Url: www.epp.eu