11/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - Poul Nyrup Ramussen, president of the Party of European Socialists (PES) welcomed in a press statement, “vial breakthrough” made on 10 July by the Socialist government of Portuguese prime minister José Socrates in negotiations on the “immediate and substantial reform of the pension system”. The former Danish prime minister warned that “financially sustainable pension systems are one of Europe's greatest and most pressing challenges”. He also affirmed that he was “immensely encouraged by the fact” that the Portuguese government had “achieved a major reform with the agreement of the employers and most trade unions”. The Danish Social Democrat stated, “Social dialogue seems to have fallen out of fashion but it is the foundation for real progress in the reforms that everyone agrees are essential”. He believes that Portugal “should inspire us all…It is the exact opposite of what is happening in some countries where neo-liberal excess has led to social divisions and a rise in extremist populism.