Berlin, 10/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - British Conservative MEP James Elles, the founder of the European Ideas Network which held its third annual meeting of politicians, experts, scientists and journalists in Berlin on Thursday as a means of providing form to the debate on European Union policies over the next five years, told the 300 or so participants that it was time to think the unthinkable. (See other article.)
Hans-Gert Pottering, President of the European People's Party-European Democrats (EPP-ED) which organising the Ideas Network, urged his political party to take the lead in the European integration process, highlighting the fact that an innovative and coordinated approach was needed to deal with problems like terrorism, globalisation, economic reforms and the environment. The CDU MEP welcomed the shift to the centre in the European elections of June 2004.
Wilfried Martens, President of the European People's Party (EPP) also welcomed the shift to the centre seen in the European elections. He said that the recent terrorist atrocities in Russia raised the issue of whether Western democratic values could continue to be applicable across the board. In a press release, the former Belgian prime minister wanted greater attention to be paid to green issues, which he described as 'unique conservative and traditional values'.