Mr Pat Cox, President of the European Movement, addressed the participants of the ELDR campaign launch for the 2009 European Parliament elections

Brussels – On Wednesday the 15th of April Mr Pat Cox, President of the European Movement International (EMI), held a speech at the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) campaign launch for the 2009 European Parliament elections. The campaign launch of the EMI member organisation took place at the Tour & Taxis premises in Brussels and was attended by several hundred participants.

Mr Cox contributed that Europe is currently experiencing a time of crisis while referring especially to the financial crisis generated through a lack of regulative measures. "Within this crisis it is important to offer the European citizens substance in our politics and a deep commitment to the earliest possible ratification of the Reform Treaty of Lisbon", Mr Cox said. The crisis could be a chance for Europe to stand harmoniously together and to emerge even stronger.

Therefore "putting Europe into the European elections" and overcoming the national agenda is the main priority of the European Movement. The 2009 European elections are a chance for the citizens to legitimize a powerful European Parliament that needs its Europeans.