EPP HAILS AGREEMENT ON NEW EU REFORM TREATY

The President of the EPP, Wilfried Martens, hailed today the agreement of the European Council on the new reform Treaty of the European Union (EU). This achievement was mainly due to the tireless efforts of the German Presidency, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel. At the EPP Summit of June 21st, the EPP heads of State and Government offered their full support to Angela Merkel's IGC mandate.

"This historic agreement will produce a new Treaty that will contain all the reforms needed for the EU to work more efficiently for the benefit of its citizens. Indeed, the agreement puts an end to the institutional crisis suffered by the EU during the last two years," President Martens stated.

"Needless to say, the German Chancellor and President of the European Council Angela Merkel had a decisive role in negotiating this agreement. On Thursday, during the EPP Summit, our 11 heads of State and Government gave the Chancellor their full support and reinforced her efforts. The EPP and its leaders will now work hard for the prompt implementation of the new Treaty. We hope that we will have a new Treaty in force before the European elections of 2009", the EPP President concluded.

For more information:
Javier Jiménez
EPP Press Officer
Rue du Commerce, 10
B-1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 285 41 56 / +32 475 480 446
Fax:+ 32 2 285 41 41
E–mail: jjimenez@epp.eu
Url: www.epp.eu