Strasbourg, 05/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of the plenary debate at the European Parliament on the programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council, the leader of the Socialist and Democrats Group (S&D), Martin Schulz, and co-leader of the Greens, Rebecca Harms, welcomed the commitment of the Polish authorities and society to the European vision. Their first contact this week with the Polish government led by its prime minister, Donald Tusk, filled the two German MEPs with enthusiasm. “The Polish Presidency is an opportunity. It appears that it is a very open Presidency. The first time, we have a Presidency of the Council which is committed to the European vision”, Schulz told the press in Strasbourg on Tuesday 5 July. On subjects from the budget to the climate, migration and the Eastern Partnership, “the Polish Presidency has ideas, and it believes that trans-national responses can be made”, the S&D Group leader added, going on to conclude: “this is the spirit the EU needs”. The Greens co-leader, Rebecca Harms, also welcomed “very interesting discussions” with Donald Tusk: “there is a positive atmosphere on the EU in Poland, at the level of the authorities and the whole of Polish society. The Poles seem committed to the European ideal, which is good in times of crisis (…). And despite the Conservative government, the Presidency seems to want more social justice.” (E.H./transl.fl)