Budapest_declaration_A3:Budapest_declaration_A3 10/26/10 10:01 AM Page 1

THE BUDAPEST
DECLARATION
OF THE PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE OF SOCIALISTS
AND DEMOCRATS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
e call on the European Union to he EU has a crucial leadership role to play in
W act urgently and firmly against
T realising our vision. We call for:

growing forces of hatred and division in • URGENT development of policies on social

society.
e denounce all forms of extremism and populism,
W including ultra-nationalism, xenophobia, islamo-
phobia and anti-semitism. We are deeply concerned by
the influence of these forces on young people and by
mainstream right or centre-right parties adopting ex-
tremist policies both in opposition and in government.
e warn that these developments threaten Euro-
W pean influence in the world and the development
of our Union.
ur vision is of an open and inclusive society and a
O European citizenship that adds to the quality of
people’s lives. We call for robust defence of the EU’s
fundamental values of tolerance, non-discrimination
and cultural diversity.
inning the support of the majority for inclusion,
W integration and education must be the corner-
stone of a successful European Union.
cross the European Union, Roma integration needs
A special attention. This includes a comprehensive
strategy for jobs and education to improve living stan-
dards, respecting the dignity of the Roma people whilst
expecting them to take their responsibility in society.
Roma communities need protection from exploitation
by organised crime and from all forms of discrimina-
tion. We call on governments to reject policies that
undermine these goals, such as the recent expulsions of
Roma from France.
problems that extremists are quick to exploit, such
as poverty and joblessness;
• FULL European Commission commitment to
defence of the Treaty and making member states
respect their obligations; and
• IMMEDIATE adoption by the Council of the anti-
discrimination directive.
W e pledge our support for progressive new laws to
defend the European model of tolerance and
inclusion. As the leading progressive group in the
European Parliament, we welcome open discussion of all
genuine problems in society. We are proud of our
constructive agenda for social and economic reform and
we believe that in open debate our views will prevail over
the shallow solutions offered by populists, eurosceptics
and ultra-nationalists.
W e commit ourselves to monitoring activities that
threaten social coherence and pledge our support
for effective counter-measures. We urge all political
forces to join us in promoting the democratic values of
the European Union and in rejecting populist, extreme,
or far-right-wing ideas and actions, including move-
ments based on hatred or suspicion of specific groups in
society.
o this end, we invite the European institutions to
T issue a joint solemn declaration of their commitment
to a Europe of freedom, tolerance and justice.

www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu