PES Balkan Conference opens in Shkodra, Albania
On 22 - 23 April 2013 the PES Balkan Conference will take place in Shkodra, Albania and Budva, Montenegro. The congress, entitled “Progressive governments and parties in the Western Balkans: Keeping the promise for fairer societies and EU accession” it is co-organised by the Socialist Party of Albania, the Democratic Party of Socialists, Montenegro and the Social Democratic Party of Montenegro.
Kristian Vigenin, Chair of the PES Task Force on Western Balkan Enlargement and PES Presidency Member, stated that: “This year PES Balkan conference comes at a critical time for the Western Balkans and the European Union. The orientation of the countries in the Balkans is becoming more and more aligned with the orientation of the European Union. This is a process that will lead to ever deeper ties”.
He added: “I am proud to say that the PES is the European party most committed to the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. In Shkodra and Budva we will address the negative rhetoric on Enlargement by focusing on the real and tangible benefits of accession and its impact in reinforcing, not weakening, the Union’s political and economic strengths. Socialists from both the European Union and the Western Balkans share common values and are committed to working together to bring the lasting transformational change that our economies and societies need today”.
The leaders from the Western Balkan Social Democratic Parties are due to sign a declaration between the representatives at the conclusion of the conference on Tuesday 23 April.
Edi Rama, President of the Socialist Party of Albania, Milo Đukanović, President of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Montenegro, Ranko Krivokapić, President of the Social Democratic Party of Montenegro, Svetozar Pudaric, President of Main board SDP, Bosnia I Herzegovina, Dragan Djilas, Leader of DS, Serbia, Boris Tadic Honorary President DS, Serbia, Kristian Vigenin Member of the European parliament, BSP, Bulgaria, Libor Roucek Vice-President of the S&D Group in the EP, CSSD, Czech Republic, Rinna Kullaa, Member of the Foreign and Security Policy Working group, SDP, Finland, Knut Fleckenstein, Member of the European Parliament, SPD, Germany, Majlinda Nushi, President, SDPK, Kosovo, Tanja Fajon, Member of the European Parliament SD, Slovenia, Richard Howitt, Member of the European Parliament, LP, UK, Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES, will participate at the conference.