The event was hosted by the ruling PES-member party Partito Democratico of Italy. Among the socialist leaders who attended were Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Gianni Pitella, President of the S&D Group in the European Parliament, Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Niels Annen, Member of the German Bundestag and foreign policy spokesman of the SPD parliamentary group, Kenneth Forslund, Chair of the Committee of Foreign Affairs in the Swedish Parliament, Sakharov prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege, Laurens Jolles, UNHCR Regional Representative for Southern Europe, as well as representatives of the governments of France and Malta.

Sergei Stanishev expressed his support for the European Commission’s proposals on ‘A European agenda on migration’.

‘As PES we are firm in our belief that human life is a top priority and immediate aid should be provided to refugees to prevent further tragedies such as the ones in the Mediterranean. We also need to support refugees and displaced persons who fled to countries outside of the EU. We need a coordinated migration policy and solidarity between Member States. We should fight human traffic channels and aim to put an end to conflicts and political instability in countries of origin by supporting economic development in those countries’, Stanishev added.

I called for strict observance of the Minsk-2 agreements on Ukraine, as well as for peaceful and sustainable solution for the region. Through the Eastern Partnership, the EU aims to establish cooperation at all levels – humanitarian, economic and political.

At the meeting we noted some achievements: Last year, 3 of the Eastern Partnership countries (Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia) made an important step by signing Association Agreements with the EU. Furthermore the Moldovan citizens no longer need visas when traveling to the EU. I am convinced that Georgians will also have that privilege soon.

In his speech he pointed out that from a front-runner in EU integration among applicant countries, Macedonia has fallen in a continuous deep political crisis during Gruevski’s ruling. In his words, the functioning of state institutions raises serious concerns, and the government fails to demonstrate commitment to the fundamental democratic values and standards enshrined in the EU enlargement process.

Stanishev also expressed disappointment that the European institutions have long underestimated the situation in the country and have overlooked the development of an authoritarian regime in a candidate country. In his view, the present government uses all state institutions and services to its advantage, supresses business, media and the judiciary. ‘The EU cannot solve all internal problems of the country, but bears the responsibility to use all means and tools at its disposal to support Macedonian citizens in their strive for justice and democracy’, the socialist MEP said.

The socialist leader reminded that he had attended the civil rally in Skopje last Sunday not to teach or preach but to listen to the voices of the people. He was glad to see people of different political views and ethnic origin, civil society representatives and NGOs standing up together for their rights and freedoms and for democracy in the country. Stanishev concluded by quoting a student from the rally saying: ‘It’s not about who is in power and who is in opposition, but about the very functioning of our state’.

 Strasbourg, 20 May 2015

The day before Stanishev sent a letter to PES member parties’ leaders informing them of his attendance to the rally where he went together with S&D MEPs Knut Fleckenstein and Richard Howitt. ‘PES is deeply concerned about growing tensions in the country. We have long supported Macedonia’s efforts to join the EU and NATO and we have always promoted and advocated for rule of law, media freedom and independence of the judiciary. Аs friends and partners we have also expressed our concerns about the ongoing political crisis. However, the government has not made any progress yet towards accounting for the many allegations of its wrongdoings arising from the disclosures of our sister party’, Stanishev said in the letter.

Stanishev joined the rally to express the solidarity of the Socialist family with PES Associate member SDSM and its leader Zoran Zaev who have triggered the democratic voices in society.

‘I came here not to lecture, but to hear your voice. And your voice is a strong call for peace’, Stanishev said speaking from the podium. He said he was glad to see people of different ethnic backgrounds standing up for their freedoms. ‘I want you to know that the EU hears your voice. I saw the civil society in Macedonia reborn today and nobody can turn a blind eye to it anymore. You are the ones who are important’, Stanishev added.

In his speech he also touched on the attempts of the government of Gruevski to manipulate media in the country. ‘We must not allow such attacks on freedom of speech’, the socialist leader said.

Sergei Stanishev also congratulated SDSM leader Zoran Zaev for the courage to tell the truth. Switching from English to Bulgarian in his concluding remarks, Stanishev said: ‘Dear friends, brothers and sisters, we love you! We want to see a prosperous Macedonia in the EU. Have courage!’

Stanishev also reminded that last Monday leaders and officials from Social Democratic parties of the EU and the Western Balkans gathered in Sofia for the PES annual ‘Western Balkans Conference’ to discuss EU integration, economic and social consequences of Enlargement, and the decline of fundamental values in the region. ‘Given the current events, we discussed at length the situation in FYR Macedonia and issued a statement deeply deploring the events in Kumanovo and urged the government to take all necessary measures to avoid any further bloodshed and call for national unity’, he said.

‘We strongly believe that FYR Macedonia has a future in the European Union. However, it is high time that the government engaged in an active, inclusive and goodwill dialogue and finally deliver on the fundamental values and democratic standards enshrined in the EU enlargement process’, PES President said.

Stanishev also points out that in the last few days, thousands of people have taken the streets to show their dissatisfaction with the current government. ‘As we continue to fully support the fundamental democratic right of citizens to assemble and peacefully protest, we reiterate our appeal to all sides to refrain from any violence. On Sunday we will join the voices of Macedonian citizens in Skopje to show our solidarity with PES Associate member SDSM and its leader Zoran Zaev who have triggered the democratic voices in society, to reiterate these appeals to the government and to denounce violence’.

S&D MEP and PES President Sergei Stanishev concludes by inviting party leaders to closely follow the developments and support the democratic aspirations of the people of FYR Macedonia.

Following the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean where hundreds of refugees lost their lives in an attempt to reach the Italian shores, European socialists demand urgent action from EU Member states. President of the French Republic Francois Hollande, Prime Ministers of Italy Matteo Renzi, of Malta Joseph Muscat and of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt as well as European Parliament President Martin Schulz, EU HR/VP Federica Mogherini, among others, attended the meeting.

Earlier today PES adopted a declaration with concrete proposals for urgent measures. Sergei Stanishev explained that PES’ top priority is saving human lives and preventing further such tragedies. In his view the flow of refugees must be shared between EU Member states on the basis of solidarity and the EU should finally have a truly common migration policy.

First of all please let me greet the BSP Congress on behalf of the big PES family and wish you a fruitful discussion producing common clear and inspiring messages to the Bulgarian society – said Stanishev in his speech during the 48th BSP Congress taking place today at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria.

In his words, the political fights of BSP are an integral part of the will and efforts of the socialist family to change Europe, to uphold its social nature, to restore its economic dynamics and to create new jobs with decent wages.

He added that the success of every PES-affiliated party is crucial for the common cause of the socialists, and that every achievement at European level gives strength also to the national parties.

Disappointment among the people has been growing in the last years – in Bulgaria, by the results of the transition, and in Europe – by the results of the austerity policies.

The outcome of all this is clear – modest economic growth, high unemployment, growing inequalities and undermined solidarity. For us the reason behind is also clear – the imposed neoliberal model for development of the market and society. But it is precisely our duty, of the socialists – in Bulgaria and in Europe, to present a new vision for progressive development. The new left narrative for the future is a huge intellectual and political mission for us all, said PES President.

He expressed the view that BSP has walked a long and difficult way from the periphery of the European left to undisputed authority and respect within PES. It was us who achieved full-fledged EU membership for our country. We have all the reasons to be proud of our accomplishments. They are a strong political capital for our party. It should also be crystal clear to us that the European identity of BSP is an important condition for our perspective as a political force which aspires to successfully govern the country – Stanishev added.

I will mention here the need for self-confidence again. We should start respecting ourselves so that others can respect us, too. We should stop personal fights. This is our first responsibility before our voters. We should promote our achievements in the governing of the country and on local level because a large part of the people still does not know about them.

I believe that a strong national campaign is a necessary prerequisite for the success of our candidates for the local elections. We cannot leave them alone against the administrative machinery engaged to the benefit of and in service of GERB.

After all, the upcoming campaign is not merely the sum of 265 separate elections for mayors, nor it is a race between people promising ever more streets repaired, fountains built and children playgrounds opened. We should clearly present the most basic question to the people: if they really want GERB to have all the power in the country?

After having the executive, legislative and presidential powers, do the citizens want to present the local power to GERB as a gift as well and ensure the prolongation of the status-quo?

I think that BSP can and should be a wide and open political platform for all people with ideas, authority, civil stance, who want a better future for their municipality and the country as a whole. I believe that this will be reflected in the approach of the party leadership, both on national and local level, when nominating candidates and preparing the lists.