The final declaration of the 7th European Forum of the Left, Green and Progressive Forces, which took place in Madrid from the 10th to the 12th of November, has been released.

According to the final declaration, the debates at the 7th European Forum of Left, Green and Progressive Forces confirmed the failure of a neo-liberal, reactionary, patriarchal, and environmentally predatory model of European construction. “This model has demonstrated its inability to offer positive solutions to the challenges confronting our people, and it lacks a genuine commitment to achieving strategic autonomy in its foreign policy.”

Based on this observation, the 7th Forum calls on progressive social, cultural, trade union and political forces to unite in the endeavor to construct a different Europe.

“A Europe that places the democratic and sovereign choices of peoples at the center of all concerns, aiming to improve the lives of individuals and defend the environment.

A Europe free from gender-based violence that puts an end to all forms of discrimination and inequality, and closes the gender pay gap by promoting public care systems to alleviate the burden borne by women, ultimately dismantling the patriarchal system, human trafficking, and exploitation.

A Europe that achieves full democratic development by implementing socially progressive policies that provide young people with the prospect of a dignified life and stability.

Europe that creates a new definition of “global security” working to build peace and resolve conflicts diplomatically and through negotiation, based on the United Nations Charter and respect for international law, as well as the protection of social rights, co-development, food security, and climate security. Therefore, we believe that the next steps to stop the war would be: a return to the negotiating table, a ceasefire, a withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine.”

The final declaration pointed out that: “We are resolute in our commitment to engage in political action and facilitate the development of a democratic and socially progressive Europe founded on the principles of equality, solidarity, and sustainability. This vision entails Europe assuming a stance of strategic autonomy in foreign policy, advocating for an international order free from hegemonies that hinder the right of peoples to self-determination, and promoting cooperation and solidarity among sovereign nations.

In pursuit of these objectives, participants in the 7th Forum, representing our diversity and plurality, engaged in debates, exchanged proposals, shared experiences, and coordinated actions. We will disseminate these insights to various participating organizations, urging them to study and implement these ideas within their respective spheres of influence. Additionally, we encourage the consideration of these proposals for integration into their programs for the upcoming European elections. Our collective aim is to collaborate in pushing back against the right, in both its neoliberal and neo-fascist manifestations, and to collectively pave the way for a future of peace and prosperity in Europe.”

The Left, Green and Progressive Forces conveys their active engagement and solidarity with the ongoing struggles in Europe and various parts of the world.

The Forum calls for an end to the partition of Ireland, stating: “We believe that the political and electoral conditions are in place. The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland cannot continue to be compromised 18 months after the last provincial elections, and the British government must take responsibility. The peace process in Ireland, so far exemplary, could serve as inspiration for the resolution of many conflicts.”

This Forum demands the end of the 49-years-long Turkish occupation of 37% of Cyprus. It calls for the resumption of the talks under the auspices of the United Nations from where they were left in 2017, to reach according to the UN Resolutions a bizonal bicommunal federal solution with political equality as defined by the UN. Strongly supports the common work of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political and social organizations to achieve the reunification of Cyprus and its people.

“We vigorously denounce Turkey's pressure on the democratic opposition; we demand Turkey the release of all political prisoners and the implementation of decisions by the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. We condemn armed attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kurdish regions, leading millions to face poverty due to a lack of access to water and electricity. We support calls for a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. On behalf of Jina Amini, we stand in solidarity with all women fighting for freedom, especially the Yazidi women of Şengal, echoing the cry of Jin-Jiyan- Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom),” said the final declaration.

The 7th European Forum of Left, Green and Progressive Forces condemns all acts of terrorist violence committed in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, stating: “We endorse the declarations of the Secretary General of the United Nations, who has called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza and the release of the hostages held by Hamas. We call for the release of political prisoners in Israeli prisons and express our condemnation of the apartheid policy to which the Israeli government subjects the Palestinian people, as well as the entry of the Israeli army into Gaza, contrary to international law. And above all, we condemn the indiscriminate bombings by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, veritable war crimes for which the perpetrators must be held accountable before the International Criminal Court. We reaffirm that the establishment of a lasting and stable peace depends on the recognition of a viable and fully sovereign Palestinian state, alongside Israel, under the conditions defined by various United Nations resolutions.”