Party of European Socialists

Nicolas Schmit, the newly-elected president of the Party of European Socialists (PES), has voiced his support for Bulgaria's full accession to the Schengen Area. Speaking at a press briefing following his election at a PES congress held in Rome, Schmit emphasized the importance of Bulgaria's integration into the Schengen Zone.

PSD's (Social Democratic Party) interim leader Marcel Ciolacu announced on Saturday that he will sign the petition launched by PES activists Romania on a European minimum salary and proposed that Social Democrats also join this initiative. "I know that PSD needs to become active again at European level. We have to take responsibility for what we did wrong and work together.

The European integration of the Western Balkan countries will strengthen the European Union and consolidate peace, solidarity, prosperity in the Balkan region, Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Viorica Dancila stated at the signing event of the Joint Declaration on the integration of the Western Balkans countries in the EU.

President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Sergei Stanishev, who is attending on Saturday the meeting of the Social Democratic Party's (PSD) Extraordinary Congress, voiced his support for Viorica Dancila's candidacy in the presidential elections, mentioning that she took on the party leadership at a difficult time.

Politicians from Balkan EU member states failed to obtain any top posts in the new Commission after hopes rose that Sergey Stanishev of Bulgaria, for example, might become the new president of the European Parliament.

The European Parliament is in the process of electing its President. For the position, the European Council the name of PES leader Sergey Stanishev was also considered. Late last night, however, his group raised the candidacy of the Italian David-Maria Sassoli.

Premier Viorica Dancila is paying a working visit on Thursday in Brussels to address several current topics on the European agenda with European high officials, the Government says in a release.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Monday will pay a visit to Brussels, where she is set to meet the President and First Vice-President of the European Commission, and also the leader of the Party of European Socialists. "Starting this afternoon I will pay a working visit to Brussels where I will have some important meetings, in the context of the recent elections to the European Parliament.

Parties dedicated to keep strong European Union will control two-thirds of seats in the new European Parliament, according to official forecasts released this morning.

On the eve of European elections, Kathimerini spoke with European officials vying for the top position in the European Commission. Frans Timmermans, the candidate for the Party of European Socialists (PES) and current vice president of the Commission, said Europe needs a "new contract" based on equality and fairness for its citizens.