06.09.2001
Evening reception by the governing mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit
Delegates visiting the city hall of Berlin
On Thursday at 7 pm, Klaus Wowereit (SPD), governing mayor of Berlin, welcomed the delegates of the European capitals trade union conference, as well as some trade union representatives in the arms hall of the red city hall.
In his short speech Wowereit said to be delighted that this year Berlin was chosen as meeting place for the important conference. The city was always pleased to receive international guests and tried to offer them a constructive framework for their work. The discussions on youth unemployment and the development of counter- strategies, in particular in the metropolises, were necessary to implement a socially fair policy. In this context the trade unions had a key role.
After his welcome speech, Wowereit seized the opportunity for discussions with the present high-ranking union representatives from 15 nations.
A further speech was made by Dieter Scholz, national district chairman of the DGB. He also pointed out the importance of the topics education, work and youth for the European unification process. He hoped that this conference would give an impulse for the future policy of those governments responsible in the capital regions. They also would have to deal with the labour market problems of the young people, in order to give a just European society a chance.
