Brussels, 08/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, urged Europe on Thursday 8 December to reach agreement on Friday (9 December) on changes to economic governance, warning that the European Union would not have a second chance to stem the eurozone crisis. Sarkozy took advantage of the Congress of political parties of the right (EPP) in Marseilles to put pressure on politicians, waving the spectre of Europe's disintegration. The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she was certain that Europe would find the right solutions at the European summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
France and Germany handed a draft plan to change the EU Treaties to the other EU heads of state at a dinner on Thursday evening. The idea is to tighten up budget discipline and introduce “solidarity systems” to help struggling countries. Sarkozy brushed off the plans mooted by the presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, José Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, who want any changes to the Treaty to be made by and for all 27 EU member states and who have therefore suggested a quick and easy mechanism that does not require ratification by national parliaments. Sarkozy said that if there have to be changes, then the full treaty needs to be changed because it's a fundamental change that is under discussion.
There will be some tough negotiating because several countries, like the United Kingdom and Sweden, have already expressed doubt about Merkozy's plans and the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, opposes a “two or more-speed Europe”, saying that Europe is 27 member states, not 17 or 17+, the way France and Germany see things. Tusk said the crisis would seal Europe's coffin if leaders decide to alienate the 27-country Europe.
Sarkozy said that he and Merkel were both in favour of a 27-country deal, but if that proved difficult, then he was prepared to sign an agreement with the other 16 countries of the eurozone, adding that without France and Germany's agreement, a deal would not be possible among all 27 member states. The president of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso, laid down the criteria for EU Treaty change on Thursday, saying that people had to be prepared to go along with a change to the Treaty if member states can ensure that they will be able to approve and ratify any changes. (LC/transl.fl)