The European People’s Party – Christian Democrats at the Council of Europe

Luc Van den BRANDE

We have chosen to come together within the framework of the Council of Europe following our common historical past and in response to the challenges of the future. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was the first European Assembly of the continent.  Strengthened by the delegations of forty-seven national parliaments, it remains the broadest truly European assembly.  Through their actions within the Council of Europe and in their national parliaments, more than 200 members of the Group of the European People’s Party have committed themselves to consolidating and stabilising freedom and democracy, human rights, peace, prosperity, solidarity and social cohesion throughout the European continent and in the wider world.  Being democratic, the members of the EPP-CD Group defend freedom of expression and information, as well as freedom of movement of ideas and of religious tolerance.  Being federalists, the Christian-Democrats work to promote respect of the principle of subsidiary and local autonomy, as well as the defence of national, social and other minorities. The Council of Europe represents a legal and privileged logistical framework for the promotion of the afore-mentioned principles.

Luc Van den BRANDE
President
EPP-CD Group