Seville, 07/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - As pointed out earlier, the Socialist Group of the European Parliament is holding a special meeting in Seville, from 6 to 8 May. It will mainly examine the political implications that the rise in the far right will have on European integration. In the face of this danger, said the group's president, Enrique Baron, on this occasion, it is necessary to reaffirm our commitment to the European project, focus on the challenges raised by globalisation and create an area of freedom, security and justice for everyone in Europe. Furthermore, he welcomed the "tremendous democratic move", taking Chirac to victory in the second round of French presidential elections, while considering that one should ask oneself why the extreme right has made such progress. Mr Baron said the "Socialist group has already begun reflection on this". He hoped the French Socialists, "who were deprived of another battle", will have the courage to win the legislative elections.
In Seville, the group is also discussing the priorities of the European Parliament with a view to the European elections in June 2004, and of Social Democracy in a globalised world. Speakers will include former Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Maria Joao Rodrigues, former adviser to the Portuguese Prime Minister of the time, Antonio Guterres.