Greek delegation of New Democracy votes against EPP's draft on migrant issue

Gazzetta team 21 Οκτωβρίου 2015 - 21:19

The Greek delegation voted against the draft document on the refugee crisis prepared at the conference of the European People's Party group (EPP Group) in Madrid on Wednesday, noting that it includes criticism towards Greece which the main opposition party, New Democracy, couldn’t accept.

According to ND officials, despite the changes made to the document after strong opposition from the Greek delegation and party leader Vangelis Meimarakis, the Greek side was not satisfied and voted against it. Discussions on the document will continue on Thursday when it will be presented at the EPP’s plenum, they added.

Speaking before the start of the conference, Meimarakis said the party wants a better Europe. “We want a better Europe, more Europe that will satisfy its citizens with solidarity.”

“Here we discuss all the major issues facing Europe. We intervene on growth issues, on issues of unemployment, on the refugee issue and on all those issues that currently concern the citizens of Europe."

Commenting on New Democracy, the president of the European People's Party Joseph Daul, said the party had succeeded in bringing growth to Greece until SYRIZA took over. “Greece had entered the path of growth when SYRIZA took power and destroyed everything New Democracy had achieved.”

The Secretary General of the EPP, Antonio Lopez-Isturiz, said: “Despite the bad situation, ND stood on its feet in the recent elections and the next elections it will be back in government.”