The Party of European Socialists (PES) welcomes the promising outcome of the European Summit and its commitment to implement concrete measures to tackle the crisis. An overwhelming victory for the progressive agenda defined over the last years by the Socialist and Social Democratic family, the summit acknowledged the pressing need for public and private investment in Europe.

The Party of European Socialists (PES) welcomes the verdict of the European Parliament on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Today’s plenary vote resulted in the overwhelming rejection of the anti-piracy agreement, a proposal that was surrounded by criticism since its inception. The main arguments against the treaty were the secrecy of the negotiations, the threat to the access to generic medicines and the serious implications concerning individual privacy and freedom of expression.

Over 250 young Europeans from all 27 member states have spent two days discussing youth unemployment in the European Parliament, in a conference organised by the Group of the Socialists and Democrats.