07/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Party of European Socialists (PES) group of the European Parliament has instituted the "Willy Brandt Enlargement Programme" whose mission is largely to send out to like-minded parties (Socialist or Social Democrat) in the twelve candidate countries necessary information to allow them to keep socio-political actors and the citizens informed about their country's accession to the EU. Since January (and to continue until the European elections of June 2004), a small team of six has been set up in the socialist group's offices at the European Parliament to put together a weekly newsletter, answer questions from candidate countries, advise local decision-makers and organise training sessions for executives and future MEPs from the new Member States (for more information e-mail peswbprogramme@europarl.eu.int or visit http://www.socialistgroup.org