The members of the EPP’s Political Assembly (PA) met in a hybrid format on 28 and 29 June to discuss developments in member states, discuss the EU’s economic recovery from COVID, adopt position papers on EU-Russia relations and the future of Trade as well as a resolution on Belarus.

The PA held a key discussion on Europe’s economic recovery from COVID-19 with a video statement by President of the Eurogroup and Minister for Finance for Ireland Paschal Donohoe and a presentation by EPP Vice-President and MEP Siegfried Mureșan. With more national recovery plans being validated by the European Commission each day, EPP believes Europe is ready for a concrete recovery based on fundamental principles towards a greener, more digital and resilient economy. The Political Assembly expressed its support for the efforts of EPP leaders across the EU institutions and called on member states and their Heads of State and Government to implement concrete investments and projects that will foster recovery.

The members of the PA adopted a position paper on EU-Russia relations ‘From a Strategic Partner to Strategic Challenge?“. It stressed the need to develop an EU strategy towards Russia based on resilience and deterrence that also maintains our readiness for dialogue in areas of mutual interest. The main focus should be countering Russia’s aggressive behaviour combined with strong support for democracy, the rule of law, civil society, people-to-people contacts and the development of closer ties with the Russian opposition. The key to success vis-à-vis Russia will be unity within the EU as well as a common transatlantic approach.

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