Presentation by Antonio Fici at the Cooperatives Europe & Coop Russion European Conference on 31 May 2011.

Six months before the launch of UN International Year of Co-operatives, the European co-operative movement met in Moscow between 30-31 May to prepare for the year-long celebration. About 300 representatives of co-operative organisations from 28 European countries gathered for the Cooperatives Europe General Assembly and the European conference “Facing Europe's Economic & Social Challenges: The Co-operative Way”. The conference was co-hosted by Centrosojuz. View Photos and presentations from the conference at http://www.coopseurope.coop/spip.php?rubrique412.

Mr. Medvedev , President of the Russian Federation as well as Mr. Pittella, Vice-president of the EU Parliament both recognized their support of co-operative enterprises. However, European organisations call for a major political recognition a business form pursuing social objectives while not renouncing to economic effectiveness.

Co-operatives from EU countries as well as Eastern Europe confirmed their commitment to make of 2012 the springboard towards a new era for co-operatives, to show the world the co-operative way.

Press release COOPERATIVES EUROPE Brussels, 7th June 2011