European socialists want Europe to have cohesion and make citizens its top priority, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Thursday in Brussels. Papandreou was addressing a meeting held by Party of European Socialists (PES) leaders of state and government, shortly before the start of the European Union summit.

   Papandreou stressed that the aims of European socialists were to support policies that created jobs for all, supported smaller businesses and created a people-centred society.

   Another issue underlined by Greece's premier was that of promoting green development, noting that this and the major decisions that must be taken during the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen would act as a lever and an opportunity for socialists to take important intiatives and decisions.

   Such decisions would concern the future of growth and create jobs, as well as social cohesion and a more humane and social Europe, he added.

   The PES leaders' summit was held to coordinate the policy of Europe's socialist leaders in terms of the priorities to be raised at the EU summit. The main issues discussed were European policies for employment during the economic crisis, priorities for the reforms to international financial institutions and the Lisbon Treaty.

   Shortly after the PES meeting, Papandreou is scheduled to have a brief, informal first meeting with the premier of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Nikola Gruevski.

   The Greek prime minister will then participate in the European Council meeting and then join other European leaders at a working dinner. The EU leaders' summit is scheduled to end by Friday afternoon.