Brussels, 7 September 2009

The President and the Secretary General of the European People’s Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens and Antonio López-Istúriz, expressed today their full support for the five-year political program of European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, who has been formally nominated by the European Council for a second term.

Barroso presented today for the first time in a public event in the European Parliament his “Political Guidelines for the Next Mandate”. The event was organized by the Centre for European Studies (CES), the think-tank of the EPP.

Martens, who offered introductory remarks at the CES event, expressed his confidence that President Barroso’s five-year programme is a strong basis for bringing Europe forward.

“In a difficult moment for Europe and for European societies, I am convinced that the comprehensive political guidelines offered by President Barroso are very ambitious and form a strong basis for bringing Europe forward in the coming five years. I am sure that all main European political families will also be convinced,” stated the EPP President.

Lopez-Istúriz, who moderated the discussion, stated in his concluding remarks that Barroso is Europe’s candidate:

“In today’s public debate, President Barroso has clearly analyzed the manifold and elaborate solutions offered in his programme – this is a programme for Europe and all of its citizens. It is clear that President Barroso is the candidate of all Europeans,” underlined the EPP Secretary General.

President Barroso’s “Political Guidelines for the Next Mandate” are available here:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/index_en.htm
For more information about today’s CES event please visit the CES website:
www.thinkingeurope.eu
For more information:

Kostas Sasmatzoglou, Spokesman, Tel. +32-2-2854147

Javier Jiménez, Press Officer, Tel: +32-475480446