ATHENS
Foreign Minister George Papandreou, addressing the ruling PASOK party’s European conference on Friday, said ”a continuous struggle is necessary and it is our party, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement together with president Costas Simitis which will be able to continue this struggle during the crucial phases of the next year 2004.”

Referring to the socialist vision for Europe, Papandreou said ”the socialists know how to handle the real problems of society at international level as well” and expressed support for the promotion of European defence which ”will give a feeling of security to citizens and will constitute a step to enable us to tell the universe and the world, on the international chessboard, that the role of the European Union exists.”

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou spoke of the ”prevalence of state interest and the absence of ideological confrontation of the progressive forces with the Right in the discussion for the constitution of Europe.