Brussels, 30/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Liberals have chosen the framework of a former airport hall at Brussels Zaventem national airport to kick-off their campaign with a view to the European elections in June this year. Taking part at the ceremony were most of the big names of the European Liberal Democrat and Reformist Party, including Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Slovenian Prime Minister Anton Rop, Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, European Parliament President Pat Cox and President of the EP Liberal Group Graham Watson, of Britain. The president of the party, Werner Hoyer welcomed the results obtained by the Liberal Group during the legislature now ending and assured the members of the group that they would return to Parliament in July with major reinforcements.
The Liberals will be campaigning with the manifesto adopted in November last during their congress in Amsterdam. The manifesto urges for adoption of the European Constitution and calls for a more economically competitive Europe, a Europe that takes care of the environment and which guarantees respect of all fundamental freedoms.