The European Socialists declare their opposition to reforms that would undermine social progress, employment and economic recovery.

A few days before the Socialists' summit in Athens on March 4-5 at which, among others, the controversial "competitiveness accord" will be discussed, the the Party of European Socialists commits itself in an announcement to oppose "every kind of reform that would undermine social progress, employment and economic recovery."

Party of European Socialists President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen who, together with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will be the summit's hosts, said "we shall not endorse reforms that will undermine the rights of the working people and will have disastrous consequences for the economy."

Lastly, the leaders of the European People's Party (EPP) will meet in Helsinki on March 4 to prepare the issues of the crucial summit on March 25. EU President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will be participating in the summit.