The Bureau members were delighted that Commissioner Andor gave his strong support for the continuation of the European Meetings of People Experiencing Poverty. The meeting was also the occasion to exchange views on the lobbying work been done by EAPN in relation to the future financial framework for the EU, in particular the future of the European Social Fund and the European Fund for the Most Deprived and to press the Commission to remain strong in defending the improvements in the draft proposals in this area. However the meeting was also the occasion to press on the Commissioner the deteriorating realities in the Member States and the loss of a distinct European Strategy, with active stakeholder engagement, to fight poverty and social exclusion. The Commissioner spoke about the forthcoming Social Investment Package as “an upgraded Platform against Poverty’ and as a significant improvement in EU cooperation to fight poverty and social exclusion. The Bureau members reiterated our proposals in relation to the Social Investment Package.