The leaders of the EPP agreed today that the European Union (EU) should continue the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

During a Summit held in Brussels, they also underlined the necessity of avoiding any blockage of the EU by the current situation. In particular, they expressed support for the process of accession of Croatia.

The EPP leaders, along with the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament and chairmen of the EPP member parties, debated the economic situation, especially rising food and oil prices.

Furthermore, they debated the political relationship of the EU with Cuba.

Twelve Heads of State and Government of the EU participated today in the EPP Summit: Angela MERKEL (Germany), Janez JANSA (Slovenia), Jan-Peter BALKENENDE (The Netherlands), François FILLON (France), Kostas KARAMANLIS (Greece), Jean-Claude JUNCKER (Luxembourg), Silvio BERLUSCONI (Italy), Yves LETERME (Belgium), Fredrik REINFELDT (Sweden), Lawrence GONZI (Malta), Donald TUSK (Poland) and Traian BASESCU (Romania).

There were also four Heads of Government from non-EU member states: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (Georgia), Yulia TYMOSHENKO (Ukraine), Nikola GRUEVSKI (FYROM) and Ivo SANADER (Croatia).

Pictures of the meeting are available on the EPP website: www.epp.eu. For more information: Javier Jimenez, EPP Press Officer. Tel: +32 475 480 446