Brussels, 08/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - At the invitation of Tony Blair, The leaders of the Party of European Socialists, presided by Robin Cook will be holding a summit on 9 October. According to a press release, subjects for discussion will include, "a new agenda for social democracy in Europe and world-wide and the fight against right wing and Euro-sceptic parties in Europe".
Participants will include the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Prime Ministers from Sweden Göran Persson and Paavo Lipponen from Finland (Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis won't be coming because of the council elections), European Commissioners Neil Kinnock and Pascal Lamy, Vice President of the European Convention Giuliano Amato, the President of the International Socialist, Antonio Guterres and the President of the Socialist group at the European Parliament Enrique Baron.
Other PES leaders include François Hollande from France, José Luis Zapatero from Spain, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (former Prime Minister), Piero Fassino from Italy, Ruairi Quinn from Italy, Eduardo Ferro Rodriguez from Portugal, Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven, Elio di Rupo and Patrick Janssens from Belgium, Jean Asselborn from Luxembourg, and Mark Durkan from Northern Ireland. Gusenbauer from Austria won't be able to attend due the forthcoming elections.