International

660 delegates this evening, during the 13th SP National Conference in Nijmegen, voted by a large majority to endorse the Conference Paper ‘Heel de Wereld’ (The Whole World). In Heel de Wereld the party sets out the medium term direction of its international policy. “The Netherlands and Europe are too small for the SP. Today we want to talk about the SP in the whole world,” SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel told the conference.

European Commission President José Barroso was asked to give an explanation before the European Parliament this afternoon of an apparent conflict of interests. In August, 2004, shortly after he was designated as the new Commission President, Mr Barroso holidayed on the private yacht of Greek shipping magnate John Latsis. Barely a month later a shipbuilding firm belonging to Mr Latsis was awarded €10.3 million in state aids. Such aid by national governments within the EU can only be given under strict conditions and with the permission of the European Commission, which is responsible for ensuring that the rules are followed.