Ministers met by videoconference to exchange ahead of the General Affairs Council (GAC) taking place on Tuesday. On the agenda of the PES meeting: the Conference on the Future of Europe and European coordination in response to COVID-19.
German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth, said:
“We are just a couple of days away from the inaugural ceremony of the Conference on the Future of Europe. We are glad that the Conference is finally taking off.
“This is an important moment to listen to citizens and to translate their hopes into real change. Our Union can be made more inclusive, more sustainable, and more equal for everyone. We progressives are united behind that outcome.
“I am glad the online platform allowing all EU citizens to share and discuss ideas has been launched. The Conference on the Future of Europe is the next step to a progressive Europe, taking citizens on board to discuss all pressing issues for Europe’s future: climate, environment, social issues, migration, digitalisation, innovation, health, rule of law and so many more.”
On 3 May, high-level speakers from the PES family convened in Rome, Italy, to launch the socialist and democrat push to shape the Conference on the Future of Europe.
PES Europe ministers also discussed COVID-19. The meeting exchanged on the continued progress on vaccine rollout across Member States and welcomed moves to safely open-up the EU for tourism this summer, including the ongoing negotiations on the Digital Green Certificate.
The ministers looked positively to effective cooperation between the EU institutions in order to deliver a functioning tool as soon as possible that restores freedom of movement, protects data and guarantees non-discrimination.
Michael Roth, said:
“Delivering on the Digital Green Certificate is a key demand by European citizens. And rightly so. One of the fundamental achievements of the EU, freedom of movement across the EU, needs to be restored as quickly as possible.”
Ministers expressed alarm and sadness about the worsening situation in India and other countries hit badly by the coronavirus. Ministers welcomed the materials and oxygen donated by Member States to India to alleviate the very difficult situation in the country. They agreed that Europe must continue to show solidarity with countries in need in the global battle against the virus and, in that context, welcomed the increasing speed of the COVAX initiative.
The meeting was attended by:
- Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe, Germany (Chair)
- Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Malta
- Juan González-Barba, State Secretary for the European Union, Spain
- Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES
