Quote of the week by S&D vice-president Pedro Marques:
“By granting Ukraine EU candidate status, we show the Ukrainian people through our actions, not just words, that we stand together with them in that horrible war. This will also send a clear message to the Kremlin. Ukrainians have the right to choose their own alliances and to live in a free, democratic and prosperous country.
“Moldova and Georgia’s aspirations for a European future also have to be met. Their future also lies in the European Union.”
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Next week, between 27 and 30 June, some of our members will be on mission to the UN Headquarters in New York, to push for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Their implementation is essential for our common future. The delegation will be led by the S&D coordinator of the development committee, Udo Bullmann. He will be joined by S&D MEP Evin Incir, the foreign affairs committee’s standing rapporteur for Palestine, and S&D MEP Karsten Lucke, member of the special committee on the Covid-19 pandemic. Any media requests can be sent here.
On 30 June we are happy to host an event dedicated to young people. 365 Days of YOUth: Towards a lasting legacy of the European Year of Youth is the title of the debate, which will feature S&D Group president Iratxe García, our vice-president Heléne Fritzon and our MEPs Petra Kammerevert, Massimiliano Smeriglio, Alícia Homs Ginel and Victor Negrescu. Protecting children and young people from adversity, investing in the future and breaking the youth glass ceiling will be among the topics discussed next Thursday in the European Parliament. You can follow us on our website and on our YouTube channel, as well, where you can ask our guests your questions.
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On Monday 27 June, members in the committee on foreign affairs will discuss the new EU strategy for enlargement, under the leadership of rapporteur Tonino Picula. On the same day, members in the committee on civil liberties will hold a meeting with Notis Mitarachi, Greek minister of migration and asylum, to discuss the situation of migrants and refugees in the country.
In the run up to the NATO Summit in Madrid on 29-30 June, the S&D Bureau, led by Group president Iratxe García Pérez, will travel to Helsinki on 27-28 June, to support Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership. Our president and vice-presidents will meet leading Finnish politicians to discuss key issues, including security and defence, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, sustainability and the future of the EU. Among others, the S&Ds will meet with Timo Harakka, minister for transport and communications; Tytti Tuppurainen, minister of European affairs and Annika Saarikko, minister of finance. The visit will end with a meeting with the Finnish prime minister, Sanna Marin.
On Friday 1 July, it’s time for the Czech Republic to take over the rotating presidency of the Council. We stand ready for successful collaboration with them on key issues such as the rule of law, closing the gender pay gap or strengthening the Union’s ability to act by working towards eliminating the unanimity principle.
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