St. Julians, Malta, 29 March 2017 – The European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in Europe, is holding the Group Study Days and the Party Congress at the Northern shore of Malta, in St Julian’s from 28th to 30th March. The Head of the HDZ/EPP delegation Dubravka Šuica and MEPs Ivana Maletić, Željana Zovko and Ivica Tolić are attending the Congress. In addition to EPP representatives in the European Parliament, heads of the European states were invited to attend the Congress in Malta, including the Croatian prime-minister Andrej Plenković, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spanish prime-minister Mariano Rajoy, Hungarian prime-minister Viktor Orban and presidents of all parties-members of the EPP. The Croatian prime-minister Plenković is going to address the Congress for the first time in his role of the leading person of the Croatian Government and of the political party HDZ.
The EPP Study Days were official opened by the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Manfred Weber. The Malta meetings actually happen to be held at the key time-point for the entire European Union, considering that the British prime-minister Theresa May shall trigger today, 29 March, the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to officially launch the two-year disassociation process. Namely, on the occasion of marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the leaders of the European countries signed on Saturday, 25 March, the Declaration of Rome, committing to integration of the Continent and inseparability of the Union after the UK leaves. In that light, the future of Europe and strengthening of the European Union after Brexit are naturally the most important topics of the EPP Congress and the Study Days. The common Resolution of the European Parliament on Brexit shall be harmonized in Malta and then presented for voting at the next plenary session to be held in Strasbourg in April.
MEP Željana Zovko said on this occasion: “The Resolution on the Western Balkans, which is going to be adopted tomorrow at the EPP Congress in Malta, conveys a strong message to the silent majority of that region and encourages them to pursue institutional and economic reforms in order to finally leave behind the dark tunnel of the past.”
MEP Dubravka Šuica said: “The main topics of the Congress are strengthening of defence and security based on common values and focus on fiscal stability and economic progress for the EU 27, i.e., the European Union after Brexit. Other topics discussed include the future of the Southern neighbours. The EPP Resolution titled “Europe Secures our Future” is expected to be adopted.”
MEP Maletić pointed out to importance of the moto of the EPP Malta Congress “Let us Succeed Together“ and appealed on behalf of this largest European-level political party to solidarity, partnership and cohesion of all states-members. “We wish to build a strong Europe, capable of satisfying the needs of its citizens and swiftly responding to all challenges. We wish to build a secure and socially just society and economy with a huge growing potential thanks to synergy effects.“
“Discussions at the Congress panels are very lively, as the topics on the agenda are extremely interesting, such as Brexit, situation in Syria and Middle East, Northern Africa, migration, EU enlargement, safety of outer borders, directly affecting stability and security of the EU and also having a direct impact on the Republic of Croatia. It is very important to present the national positions and priorities at the Congress of the largest European group in the EU Parliament.”, as of Ivica Tolić.
About 2,000 attendees from 40 countries attend the EPP Study Days and Congress, as a support to unity and joint efforts on the path to a stronger, more stable and united community of 27 countries of the European Union. The event is covered by 250 journalists.