News > European Socialists ‘concrete steps of support are what count for Arab Spring’ as PES adopts strong declaration in Tunis

European Socialists ‘concrete steps of support are what count for Arab Spring’ as PES adopts strong declaration in Tunis

The Party of European Socialists (PES) has today adopted a strong declaration to support the Arab revolutions. The declaration, agreed at the PES ‘Democracy and Progress’ Conference in Tunis, outlines 4 concrete steps of support:

1. Send back the stolen fortunes not the refugees
There needs to be a strong international effort to repatriate the embezzled billions by Ben Ali, by Mubarak.

2. Reward more with more
Democracy should be fostered through the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

3. A clear Visa system
Facilitate first and then liberalisation and have faith in soft power.

4. Progressive democracy plants the deepest roots
An inclusive, socially just democracy is the only viable option. A strong social safety net is needed to avoid social exclusion at the time of rebuilding.

The full text of the declaration (version Français)

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen stated that; “the Arab Spring is an inspiration to all European Progressives”. He concluded by saying; “To those who take the first steps – remember each step gets easier. To those who resist – remember to keep faith in your growing numbers. To those who repress – remember that you cannot fight the incoming sea and to those who use conflict – remember that it is not just history that will judge in the harshest way imaginable”.

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