21:59 Feb 1, 2009 

OK, I am leaning towards a mix of Helen and Jonathan's suggestions:
"Our fundamental grasp of solidarity and European issues stands us in good stead to successfully carry out these responsibilities."
Thanks everyone so far....

21:33 Feb 1, 2009 

Thanks for your help so far, I think we are getting close!
Here is some more context. The speech is to fellow members of a trade union network who are very concerned that European integration and labor mobility will lead to trade union interests being trampled.
"Es ist mit die Aufgabe der Gewerkschaften zu verhindern, dass die sozialen Rechte der Menschen unter die Räder kommen.
Unser europäisches und solidarisches Grundverständnis ist eine gute Voraussetzung dafür, dass wir unsere Aufgaben meistern."

21:25 Feb 1, 2009 

I wonder if you could give us more context of how this sentence fits into the speech as a whole - preceding and following sentences would be really useful to understanding what is meant here, please.

21:12 Feb 1, 2009 

perhaps?