ECPM president and lead candidate Valeriu Ghilețchi praised the longstanding relationship and cooperation between ECPM and SGP. “Together with other MEPs we are able to raise our voice in the European Parliament about Christian values”, he stated. Ghilețchi expressed his appreciation for MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, who leads the list of SGP for the EP elections, and encouraged the attendees to use their vote in the upcoming elections and make their voices heard. He spoke about ECPM, its political program for the election, and its role as a European political party. He emphasized ECPM’s commitment to amplify the often-marginalized voices of Christians, empowering them, and connecting them to an extensive network of like-minded people across Europe.

MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen shared about his work and experiences in the European Parliament. He explained how his work aligns closely with two of the spearheads of ECPM’s political program- ‘Human Dignity’ and ‘Freedom, Security and Stability’- the latter being the core of his parliamentary efforts. In the next term of the EP, Ruissen plans to focus on the freedom of religion and belief (FORB).

Ruissen’s presentation was followed by a panel discussion on various EU policies. Both Ruissen and Ghilețchi shared their positions on EU Foreign Affairs issues, especially the relations with the state of Israel, and the rising of antisemitism in the EU. Henk van der Wind, farmer and member of the water board, contributed to the discussion on European Agriculture and Fisheries, pointing at the impact of EU policies on Dutch farmers. Ruissen, who serves on the Agriculture and Fisheries committee, acknowledged these challenges and shared his ongoing efforts in the European Parliament to support farmers and fishers in sustaining their way of life.