Brussels, 21/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Socialist and Democrat representatives met in Barcelona on Tuesday 21 June to breath life into their chances of winning the next EU elections in 2014, ahead of this week's EU summit. In their so-called “Barcelona Declaration”, more than 100 officials pledged to work for a fair and progressive financial recovery focused on job creation and protecting the welfare state. They also promised to fight populism and xenophobia, improve the democratic system and to strengthen the EU. “Our socialist values are needed now more than ever: a fair distribution of wealth and a state capable of protecting and giving opportunities to those who are weaker”, group leader Martin Schulz said in a statement. The representatives also expressed concern about the rallies in Spain over the weekend against economic austerity measures. Representatives of the European People's Party are due to meet in Brussels on Thursday 23 June for their traditional pre-summit talks. (Loc)