PM at EU socialist leaders' meeting

   Prime Minister George Papandreou attended the meeting of EU Socialist leaders in Brussels on Thursday, which took place before the EU summit.

    Speaking after the meeting, Papandreou said "we want a European Council president who shall contribute to the cohesion of Europe and we want a supreme representative for the European Union's foreign policy, who shall contribute to the handling of the major issues of our planet, international economic crises, climatic change, to facilitate a progressive as well as a strong voice for Europe, at last, at international level."

    Papandreou further said that "it is a very positive fact that the socialist group of the EU was able to discuss, with particular cohesion, the issues that were raised in the important positions of the president of the European Council and the paramount representative on foreign policy," adding that "we are showing an identity of views and a unity that is important for the future of the progressive forces on this continent."

    According to the prime minister, it is a new process following the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, despite the fact that this Treaty has not solved all the problems of Europe.

    Lastly, Papandreou underlined that it is a new step and "we hope that Europe will obtain a strong and unified voice at last."