YEREVAN (Yerkir)–The Council of Party of European Socialists (PES) marked its first anniversary as an independent European political party on June 24-25–when it met in Vienna to discuss European Union (EU) enlargement–as well as the party’s organizational reforms.
Mario Nalbandian–the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau’s representative in the Socialist International–represented the party and met with various party delegates to discuss issues related to Armenia.
The first session–"Our Europe," reviewed the common vision of social democrats on the role and direction of the EU. This debate was of particular importance after the results of the referenda in France and the Netherlands.
The debates continued the next day with discussion on "Decent jobs for all: a new growth and investment strategy for Europe," and "Meeting Europe’s demographic challenges."
The council adopted a resolution on building a more visible and influential PES–one which is democratic and involves both its members and partners. The resolution–in part states: "Today’s EU policy agenda is more active and fast-paced than it has ever been. It has also never affected more parts of our core social democratic agenda; the EU agenda is constantly evolving in areas that influence the very heart of what we stand for. Conversely–we can set a proactive–new–progressive agenda at European level if we mobilize ourselves collectively with that purpose."
Socialist parties of EU member states comprise PES. Its Council works to strengthen the PES as a political actor at EU level and to champion the priorities of European social democrats.