Quote of the week by Group President Iratxe García:
“We welcome the decision of the European Council to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia. This is an important step for these countries and Europe as a whole.”
Upcoming activities
This Friday, 15 December, S&D President Iratxe García is in Rome to take part in Partito Democratico’s party conference, as key speaker. Alongside other progressive politicians, such as European Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, she will outline our vision for the future of Europe. A Europe where equality, social rights and a green transition are essential pillars.
Starting on Monday, 18 December through Wednesday 20 December, Group President Iratxe García, alongside Gaby Bischoff (responsible for rule of law, fundamental rigths and fair mobility) and S&D vice-president Mohammed Chahim (responsible for the Green Deal), will be on an S&D mission to Senegal. Combatting climate change and poverty, fighting for gender equality, rule of law and democracy, as well as a humane and pragmatic approach for migration: these are some of the key issues our MEPs will address during the mission. During the three-day visit, the S&D delegation will take part in various institutional meetings. This will include ministerial and civil society meetings and visits to projects involving young people and women on climate change and migration.
As part of the programme, the delegation will also discuss and meet with the Spanish Guardia Civil located in Dakar within the framework of the 2006 cooperation agreement with Spain, aimed at combatting irregular departures and managing migration.
Alongside a final stretch of negotiations on the Migration and Asylum Pact, negotiators in the European Parliament and the EU Council will meet next week to finalise the reform of the Single Permit Directive – to make it easier for people with the right skillset to come to work in the EU and give better protection to these workers when they are here. S&D MEPs Javier Moreno Sánchez and Agnes Jongerius have been leading negotiations for the Parliament. For the S&D Group, safe and legal routes for migration like this Directive are the most effective way to bring down the number of irregular arrivals to the EU.
The European Parliament will resume work on 4 January, but our social media channels are always open. Drop us a line, send us your wishes and stay in touch.
We thank you for another year of working together and we look forward to 2024.
From our family to yours – Happy holidays and a peaceful New Year!
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