Yesterday afternoon Nationalist Party Leader Simon Busuttil attended the European People’s Party (EPP) summit held in Vienna, Austria. This was the first Summit which Dr Busuttil attended since his election as Leader of the Nationalist Party.

The Summit brought together EU and non-EU Heads of State and Governments as well as Opposition leaders within the EPP political family. These included the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kelly, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras as well as the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.

At the conclusion of the Summit the leaders of the EPP approved the Vienna Declaration on “New Growth and Jobs for Europe” which amongst other things urges upon the need for Europe to tackle the challenge of Youth Unemployment as well as driving support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s). Furthermore the declaration also spoke about the need for a strong European economy which can be achieved by debt consolidation efforts.

During the summit Dr Busuttil was accompanied by Marthese Portelli (PN Spokesperson for EU Affairs) and Trevor De Giorgio (PN International Secretary).

(Photo Caption - Simon Busuttil meeting Enda Kelly - Irish PM currently holding EU Presidency)