Strasbourg, 05/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - Strengthening the link between Europe's citizens and the European Union, tackling the questions posed by the anti-globalisation movement and enlargement are the European Socialist Party's three priorities. Robin Cook gave assurances that the party has decided to be more active with "much to offer the European Union". Cook outlined to a number of journalists present, what had taken place at meetings in Strasbourg with the group of the ESP Presided over by Enrique Baron, and other social democratic leaders from candidate countries. The ESP hopes that in connection with the link with Europe's citizens, the Convention which could be set up at the Laeken Summit, lays the groundwork for preparing the next Intergovernmental Conference and that it is composed of a broad base of delegates, including representatives from civil society. The ESP also hopes that enlargement proceeds as fast as possible but that it avoids a subsequent big-bang scenario when ten more countries join in 2004: however, if this scenario is on the cards due to the pace of negotiations, they would give it their "full support".
Questioned about what attitude Member States should adopt on the violence of some demonstrators at the international meetings, the ESP President stated that it was the responsibility of the different governments to do everything in their power to fight against terrorism, including having files on violent individuals. He added that if this were done for football hooligans, then it should be done for international meetings as well.