Prime ministers from the Party of European Socialists agreed today that Europe’s public debate on asylum and migration is missing the vital ingredient of solidarity. Meeting immediately before the European Council summit, progressive leaders from around Europe discussed a common approach to EU refugee and asylum policy, as well as the linked threats posed by the rise of populism and the far right. 

The meeting welcomed the new Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

PES president Sergei Stanishev said:

“These days, in the public debate about migration and asylum, there seem to be two opposing views: that of Seehofer and that of Salvini. The first refuses solidarity between countries, and the second refuses solidarity with people in distress.
“But neither is acceptable. The only possible solution is based on solidarity and shared responsibility. Without that, populists can continue to abuse people’s legitimate concerns to undermine real progress, and to undermine the European Union itself.”

Leaders also discussed their ongoing preparations for the 2019 European elections, including the process for selecting the PES common candidate recently agreed by all parties and the joint campaign manifesto, which is currently under discussion by party members, activists and associated organisations.

High Representative Federica Mogherini explained progress in her ongoing work towards Europe’s common defence and border policy, which was warmly received and supported by the prime ministers.

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was unable to attend the meeting, sent a letter of greetings and solidarity to the assembled prime ministers.

In attendance were:
Sergei Stanishev, PES president 
Joseph Muscat, PM Malta
Antonio Costa, PM Portugal
Peter Pellegrini, PM Slovakia      
Stefan Löfven, PM Sweden 
Pedro Sanchez, PM Spain            
Zoran Zaev, PM FYR of Macedonia
Alexis Tsipras, PM Greece (observer)
Udo Bullmann, president S&D group in EP
Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative
Frans Timmermans, First VP of EU Commissioner             
Pierre Moscovici, EU Commissioner
Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner          
Karl-Heinz Lambertz. President of CoR
Elio Di Rupo, leader PS Belgium  
Olivier Faure, leader PS France   
Maurizio Martina, acting secretary general PD Italy
Radmila Sekerinska, minister of defence, FYR of Macedonia
Maria Joao Rodrigues, MEP, president of FEPS
Marije Laffeber, deputy secretary general PES
Yonnec Polet, deputy secretary general PES
Giacomo Filibeck, deputy secretary general PES

Event photos are available here and are free to use.