In the two and a half years to come, important decisions need to be taken at European level. Today, all actors agree, that answers to important institutional and in the end also political questions need to be found, which all Member States can support. The EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament clearly supports the compromise found during the European Summit on 21 June on the reforms of the existing Treaties and hopes for a successful end of the upcoming Intergovernmental Conference under Portuguese Presidency.

The citizens of Europe expect European solutions for important European and global challenges such as the security of energy supply, the protection of the environment, the halting of climate change or the protection against international terrorism. But also the question of more, better and better protected jobs for Europe is at the heart of our people's hopes and expectations. And this is by far not the last point on their agenda.

Since its creation more than 50 years ago, the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament has been united on the basis of common values and the belief in the freedom of every human being to shape his or her life according to their own wishes and dreams. This means also the freedom of each individual to work, to create values and to reap their benefits. But we also believe in social security for our citizens and the protection of what has been achieved.

These tasks need the political will of all governments but -where European legislation is involved- they also need good regulation and a sound legislative framework, which makes sure, that no energies are wasted through unnecessary bureaucracy and that the right and desired synergy effects are created.

The EPP-ED-Group in the European Parliament will continue to make sure that feasible and sustainable concepts for the future of the European Union will be found and will be based on clear majorities.

With my best wishes

Joseph DAUL

Today, we can reflect on a 50-year European success story: from the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), later the European Economic Community (EEC), a Union of 27 Member States has emerged. This Union is a global force for peace and a socially conscious economic community, and it is in these areas that we EPP-ED members from the 27 Member States who are particularly concerned with the social issue want to step up our work. We want to join forces for a social Europe - for a social world, where the freedom of the individual is guaranteed and solidarity with the less well-off is no longer an alien concept. We feel bound by Christian social teaching.

Developing the European social dimension means making a tangible improvement in the living and working conditions of all individuals. The objectives of the Lisbon Strategy are growth and employment with a view to strengthening social cohesion. The strategy therefore aims at creating employment; it aims at better, high-quality jobs based on qualifications, knowledge, training and further education, with decent wage levels and worker participation in company affairs; and it aims to make use of available employment opportunities. The focus here is also on combining the necessary flexibility with social protection, on creating security in changing times and security through change, and on being able to respond appropriately to the challenges of our time. Further objectives include better opportunities for workers, young and old alike, equal opportunities for women and men, and a better balance between family and working life.

What is important to us is that you have confidence in the European project we all want to build on together. In our capacity as MEPs, we are working in our various committees to further this project. It is our common endeavour to place the individual at the heart of this work, and that is why we have joined forces and formed this employees' group. We, in our position of authority, want to ensure that the multitude of day-to-day tasks does not blind us to the essentials and prevent us from providing the appropriate response.