Socialists Leaders meet at the "Bouche-à-Oreille" in Brussels, ahead of the the European Council. Arrivals and statements by Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN, Georgios PAPANDREOU and Martin SCHULZ.

Brussels

meeting

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

meeting of the European Council

RASMUSSEN, Poul Nyrup (PSE, DK)

PAPANDREOU, George (EL)

European Council meeting 29 October 2010 (T)

Socialists Leaders meet ahead of the the European Council: arrivals and statements

Exterior view of the meeting point,"Bouche-&agrave;-Oreille", Brussels (2 shots)

Arrival of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (PES President)

SOUNDBITE (English), Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN, PES Group Leader, I think it is dangerous indeed. There are two reasons. The one of that many other countries would ask for other changes. It's very difficult to isolate one thing, and the second reason is, that, do you really imagine that all 27 member states will sign up to a treaty change making it possible for them to loose their voting rights, I doubt. I know at least one or two countries whom will have to make a referendum and peoples of course will vote 'no'. It's a wrong idea, it's a wrong timings and its an unnecessary idea. Lets focus on economics, making a new economic progress and lets try to change this economic governance, so we are not only focusing on handling the depth and deficit, but also on promoting the jobs. That our job today.

Arrival of George Papandreou, Greek Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE (English), Georgios PAPANDREOU, Greek Prime Minister, Greece is committed to a path of responsibility, stability, both economic and political, and I believe that the Greek people understand the need and also very much want the major reforms, the continued major reforms we had undertaken, and of course to continue stability that we are providing. We are today discussing very important matters in the EU , at the beginning of the crises Greece was central, we immediately said that there is a need for a mechanism of support, a mechanism of stability, which can prevent crises, but also provide for stability and growth , and jobs in the EU, so I think it is a very important and positive think that today we are actually talking about not simply temporary but actually permanent mechanisms of support and stability. Of course I believe that these mechanisms must be one which looks not only at the fiscal consolidation but also look at the growth prospects of the EU, the job creation in the EU. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Andreas Giorgiou PAPANDREOU, Greek Prime Minister, Because that is also part of preventing crises and providing stability. We need growth if we want a stable and prosper Europe, we need cohesion, we need job creation. I also believe that this mechanisms needs to be as much as possible a European mechanism through the community method and one which can provide the security for all, as concerns the issue of sanctions, I believe sanctions already exists in the treaty we can see how we strengthen them, but we are opposed to any discussion about the removal of the voting rights. Finally concerning the treaty changes, we have no problem in principle of changing the treaty, we want this to be a strong mechanism imbedded in the institutions of the EU , but when we talk about treaty changes we want this to be done in a way which is not prejudiced, which is not prejudged the stands of every member states. So if we do have a well talk out negotiation which respects all 27 member states in this process.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ (S&amp;D, DE), We have 3 messages. Europe needs cooperation of all member states, and not a German French directory, secondly I think we don't need changing of the treaty, and I think is dangerous to open the Pandora box, the reality is that we should not split Europe in three parts, Germany and France, the other members of the euro zone and the other members of the EU. Therefore I hope that there is a clear commitment tonight together with the other member states of the EU prime ministers of member states, to show that we must cooperate in the EU in a better way. An other important point for me is that I miss a clear message from the President of the Commission, I think the responsible institution in Europe for or treaties and to protect the treaties is the Commission and not Herman Van Rompuy on the proposal of Sarkozy and Merkel.