Today marked the first day of the XXIV Congress of the European People’s Party (EPP), which is being held today and tomorrow in Malta. Today’s plenary session featured addresses by the EPP’s non-EU heads of state and government, EU oppositions leaders and non-EU oppositions leaders.
The EPP Congress opened as British Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50, officially starting the process by which the United Kingdom will leave the European Union. Regarding this process, the EPP President made the following statement:
“Our priority in negotiations with the UK will be to protect the rights and freedoms of more than 4 million EU citizens living in the UK and the interests of all people from the EU 27. We also expect that the UK will comply with its financial obligations. The exit bill must be fully paid, as it is customary that one not leave the table without paying the bill. We will also focus on the Irish border, as we must do everything possible to avoid reinstating a hard border with Northern Ireland.
In the upcoming talks with the UK, the 27 Member States and the 3 EU institutions must speak with one voice. Unity will be our strength. The UK is an important partner, and we hope for an amicable atmosphere in these discussions.”
At the EPP Congress, delegates discussed how the European centre-right can secure Europe’s future. This security is not only about safety, but also about economic stability and about preparing Europe for the next generations. Sixteen political position were adopted today:
Resolution on Security and Defence
Resolution on the Western Balkans
Resolution on Cyprus negotiation talks
Resolution on the Long-Term Support Plan for Ukraine
Resolution on Smart farming: Bringing safe food, sustainable land management and jobs to rural areas
Resolution on Societal Challenges in Times of Digitalisation
Resolution on Libya
Resolution on Inclusive Growth — Everyone Must Benefit
Resolution on Russian disinformation undermining Western democracy
Resolution on Fighting corruption: Our duty to preserve Freedom and Democracy
Resolution on The Future of European Trade: Traditional values in tomorrow’s economy
Resolution on Response to Genocide: Relief and Autonomy for Victims in Northern Iraq
Resolution on Cuba and the case of Dr Eduardo Cardet
Resolution on Preventing illegal migration to Europe
Resolution on Towards a Pillar of Social Rights — Income Fairness and Social Justice at Work
Resolution on Innovative entrepreneurship
Prior to the start of the EPP Congress, we have also elected a new Vice-President. Following a vote in the EPP Political Assembly, Rafał Trzaskowski, was confirmed by Congress delegates as new EPP Vice-President.
Finally, the EPP Political Assembly voted unanimously to accept the Belarus Christian Democratic Party as an observer member in our political family. Following brutal arrests and the suppression of the opposition in Belarus, the EPP has condemned the crackdown against peaceful protests and has demanded an urgent halt to political repression. All those detained on political grounds in Belarus must be released immediately, or else the EPP will raise the option of introducing targeted sanctions against all those responsible for the mass repression witnessed lately in Belarus.
All the information regarding the first day of the EPP Congress in Malta can be found on the EPP’s social media channels, or on its dedicated website: malta2017.epp.eu.
The EPP Manifesto, also adopted at the 2012 EPP Congress in Bucharest, outlines the basic principles of the Party summary.
The EPP Manifesto, also adopted at the 2012 EPP Congress in Bucharest, outlines the basic principles of the Party summarising who we are, what our values are, what challenges are we facing and what vision we have for the future. The Manifesto was developed in parallel to the EPP Platform document within the EPP Working Group 1 for “European Policy”.
The EPP Platform is the core programme of our party outlining our main values, explaining the challenges our society is facing and presenting our vision for the future of European Union.
The Party Platform was developed in EPP Working Group 1 for “European Policy” chaired by EPP President Wilfried MARTENS ?and EPP Vice President Peter HINTZE. The Working Group consists of delegates of EPP member parties who prepared and worked?on this document for more than two years and received input?from the drafting committee as well as senior and young experts. The document was adopted at the 2012 EPP Congress in Bucharest, thus replacing the Basic Programme of Athens from 1992.
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