Rome, 08/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - At the end of last week, Giorgio Napolitano and Horst Köhler, the presidents of the Italian and German Republics, approved a joint statement which, while welcoming the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, affirms that relaunching European integration is linked to compliance with the “Community method”. To this end, the peculiar role of each of the three institutions - Commission, Council and Parliament - as they were reshaped by the Lisbon Treaty, must be relaunched, and the tasks and organisation of the European External Action Service must be rapidly defined. At the same time, it is necessary to effectively and without delay use the new instruments of the Lisbon Treaty, including majority decision and enhanced cooperation. Failing this, Europe would lose its influence in the world.
Germany and Italy, which are founding countries of Community Europe, are committed along these lines, the two presidents say, convinced they can rely on their governments and parliaments. (F.R./transl.jl)