The chair of the PES network of the General Affairs Council, German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth said:
“No one is above the law, no-one can bend it for their own interest. The rule of law protects the governed from abuse by the governing. That’s why the EU must actively stand for it on behalf of European citizens. The next European Commission must make sure that any attempts to undermine the Rule of Law are called out and deterred. We must also make sure that the necessary independence and the right incentives exist within the next European Commission”.
The PES ministers welcomed the Finnish Presidency and the new social democratic-led Finnish government.
Michael Roth said:
“We look forward to initiating our work on the priorities of the Finnish Presidency. This includes key issues such as the Rule of Law, social policy and climate action. The Presidency’s priorities reflect our social democratic proposals for a more progressive, social and democratic Europe. I am very happy to be able to work closely with Tytti Tuppurainen in order to make lasting change happen. Together, our political family will work to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, with concrete, binding measures on the quality of work and social protection – so that Europe works for its citizens”.
The meeting was attended by:
- Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe, Germany
- Tytti Tuppurainen, Minister for European Affairs, Finland
- Ana Paula Zacarias, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Portugal
- Frantisek Ruzicka, State Secretary for European Affairs, Slovakia
- Hans Dahlgren, Minister for EU Affairs, Sweden