During its XXII Congress, held 10-12th October in Paris, Mr Andrew Duff was elected as president of the Union European Federalists.

When presenting his candidacy, Mr Duff outlined the Federalists' response to the current events:

"Above all, the European federalists are truly engaged to combat the rise of nationalism. At a time when Europe is facing security challenges at home and abroad, when the financial system's stability is at risk, and when the consequences of climate change are becoming real, the need for European unity is greater than ever."

" 'Sauve qui peut' policies will be ruinous. Only a united response as advocated by federalists'  makes sense. The UEF is well placed to articulate solutions and to campaign for their urgent adoption and effective implementation."

Mr Duff also emphasized the key priority for the federalists:

"We need the Treaty of Lisbon ratified. If, in the course of 2009, the EU proves itself unable to settle its constitutional problems it will be sending a message of helplessness to the outside world. Europe's citizens need and deserve a coherent system of governance that can meet aspirations and address anxieties.”

“Our goal is a federal union of states and citizens with the capacity to act effectively and democratically abroad and at home. Europe is entering into its post-national age and we should shape its institutions accordingly." concluded Duff.

ENDS

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Press contact:

Joan-Marc Simon, Secretary General UEF

+32 (0) 486 83 25 76 | news@federaleurope.org

- Andrew Duff is Member of the European Parliament since 1999 and Chair of the Federalist Intergroup for the European Constitution.

- The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a non-governmental European organization, campaigning for a federal Europe. It consists of 20 constituent organizations and it has been active at the European, national and local levels for more than 50 years. It was founded shortly after World War II with the belief that only a European Federation, based on the idea of unity in diversity, could overcome the division of the European continent that had caused the suffering and destruction of the two World Wars