First European Committee of the Socialist International
Last weekend, our member party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Romania, organized and hosted the first Europe Committee of the Socialist International, a highly significant event for our organization. The Committee was chaired by the President of the Socialist International Pedro Sánchez.
The Europe Committee has represented a milestone for the progressive parties all around Europe to debate on common challenges, for uniting forces, share strategies, nurture solidarity, strengthen our movement and implement our core values.
The regional Committees of the organization, therefore, allow the work of the Socialist International to be focused by areas of influence. This facilitates a more specific approach adapted to the needs and particular contexts of each region. Through these committees, strategies and concrete actions can be developed to respond to local and regional issues while maintaining cohesion and unity at a global level.
The regional Committees of the Socialist International are the best way to find joint solutions to the common problems we currently face, such as the far-right and disinformation. This bodies is responsible for coordinating efforts and strategies to address these challenges in a united and effective manner.
The creation of this Europe Committee is an important step towards the consolidation of a closer cooperation network among the European socialist parties. Through collaboration and dialogue, we seek to strengthen our shared values, fight against inequalities and promote progressive policies that benefit all our societies.
During the Committee was announced an agreement for an institutional relationship between the SI Europe Committee and the Presidency of the SOC Group in the Council of Europe.
Paul Magnette, from the Socialist Party of Belgium has been also elected as Chair of this regional Committee of the Socialist International
We will continue working together to build a more just, inclusive, and democratic future for all.
Bucharest Declaration
We, participants in the first meeting of the new Socialist International Europe Committee that was held in Bucharest on July 6, 2024, hosted by the Romanian SI member party PSD:
Following our deliberations agree that the Committee should have three main objectives:
A. To be a space for dialogue between sister parties from EU countries, sister parties from European candidate countries and sister parties from European non-EU member countries.
B. To discuss issues pertaining to the relations between Europe and the other continents
C. To debate on common challenges and open avenues for uniting forces, share strategies and nurture solidarity in order to make our parties win elections, strengthen our movement and implement our core values.
• Estimate that the landslide victory of the U.K. Labour party in the elections of July 5,2024 proves the limitations of conservative policies and opens new avenues of cooperation between European progressives.
• Underline the importance of the July 7 French elections, where we must show all our support to the efforts made by the French socialists and the Nouveau Front Populaire to create a big front that will impede the extreme right from coming to power.
• Believe that the European Union should proceed without unnecessary delays to the accession of the Western Balkans, a development that would significantly enhance regional stability.
• We welcome the adoption of the negotiating framework on the accession with Ukraine, a country suffering from the dire consequences of the Russian aggression and express our solidarity with our Ukrainian comrades fighting for freedom and the respect of international law.
• We welcome the adoption of the negotiating framework on the accession of the Republic of Moldova, one of the countries under severe pressure by the Russian Federation, where the upcoming presidential elections represent a key moment for the future of the country; and celebrate the opening of the EU accession negotiations.
• Congratulate our member party from Turkey, CHP for its impressive victory in the last local elections and support their struggle for a democratic, reformed Turkey that will significantly progress in the path of European Union accession.
• Commit to work on strategies regarding misinformation, attempts to capture institutions and in particular the judiciary as well as manipulation of voters, to address the political challenges created by the “extreme right international”. These attempts go well beyond the European continent, from the United States to Latin America and necessitate a common approach.
• Express our determination to protect our institutions, the rule of law and human rights. In this respect we are very happy to announce our agreement for an institutional relationship between the SI Europe Committee and the Presidency of the SOC Group in the Council of Europe.
• Strengthen our commitment to the defense of democracy, workers' rights, gender equality, ecologism and diversity.
• Finally, we wish to thank the PSD of Romania and Marcel Ciolacu for hosting the SI Europe Committee in Bucharest. Bucharest today means a lot to our family as under the PSD driven government, Romania has become a key and relevant regional actor promoting security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region. Based on a program providing concrete solutions to citizens aspirations, PSD had excellent results in the European and local elections and the Socialist International will consistently support it in facing the regional challenges and promoting its key social and economic policies.
