Queluz, 10/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - A "climate of exceptional cooperation and a large measure of agreement on the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency" reigned, according to Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, at the traditional meeting between the incoming EU Council Presidency and the European Commission, held on Monday at the Queluz Palace on the outskirts of Lisbon. At the press conference following the meeting, Mr Guterres, President Prodi and Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama commented on the following subjects.
- Extraordinary Summit on employment and reforms. Antonio Guterres mentioned the "joint vision" of the Presidency and the Commission, both of which are determined to "create a dynamic and competitive Europe with a high level of employment and social cohesion". The Presidency and the Commission "will work together, in a spirit of cooperation and on the basis of a common strategic vision" to "simplify and deepen the different processes" under way (Luxembourg, Cardiff and Cologne) and to give them "new dimensions" and a "new methodology of cooperation" based, among other elements, on "quantified indicators" (see the following pages for Mr Guterres' ideas on this subject). For Romano Prodi, this extraordinary summit comes at a "very opportune moment" insofar as "the European economy is growing" and "it is therefore a time when changes can be made". And the Commission President added: "We have the means. It would be a mistake not to do so. This is what we agreed this morning." This is not a new exercise, confirmed Mr Prodi, but simply "action to implement decisions already taken". Asked about the wage agreement reached by unions and the German Government, Antonio Guterres said it was "very important" because it will constitute a "confidence-building factor" that will have "effects throughout the continent". This will be an "extremely positive factor for the reforms we wish to pursue".
- Enlargement of the Union. Mr Guterres reported a "total convergence of views". Asked about the visit he would be making this week to Romania and Bulgaria, Romano Prodi said it would mark the EU's determination to "engage in constructive political dialogue and begin a process of working together" that "will be a long road" but will lead to success on the basis of this methodology. "This trip will be followed by others to other countries", he added. In contrast, however, there was no particular mention of Turkey, an applicant country for which conditions must be met prior to the start of negotiations. "Very frank and frequent discussions must be begun with the Turkish Government so that real negotiations can get under way as soon as possible", added the Commission President. For his part, Mr Guterres assured that political dialogue with Turkey would be intensified (this will be one of the subjects the General Affairs Council will be examining) and that the "progress to be made by Turkey" is the same as for the other applicants, namely the Copenhagen criteria. Foreign Minister Jaime Gama said he was due to sign that very afternoon a letter in which he asks applicant countries for their opinions on institutional issues.
- Intergovernmental conference on institutional reform. After noting that the "changes needed to prepare Europe for enlargement" had been examined in detail at the meeting, Mr Prodi stated that preparatory work under the Portuguese Presidency would be vital inasmuch as "the IGC must be concluded this year" since "enlargement is the most important goal to be attained" from 1 January 2003, and ratification of the results of the IGC would take "18 to 20 months". "So we do not have a single day to waste", added the Commission President. Asked about the possibility of giving the Council the power to dissolve the EP, Mr Guterres (who confirmed that he is expecting the agenda of the IGC to be enlarged to enhanced cooperation and security/defence aspects: see pp. 7-8), stated tersely: "That is not on the agenda of the IGC and the Presidency does not intend to introduce it." President Prodi observed that codecision would lead the IGC to address the "question of enlargement of the EP's powers" and that it was logical for the "framework of democracy to develop" (the EP "will have more and more powers and will participate in major decisions for Europe", he noted).
- Mediterranean. Mr Prodi said he "agreed entirely with the Presidency, which has expressed a very strong determination to set into place and further develop a Mediterranean policy". Indeed, he is of the view that the EU's prosperity will "depend upon" its Southern Mediterranean policy. Asked about the invitation to Libya, Mr Prodi confirmed that there had been discussion of the date of a meeting between the Commission and this country during which "all the problems, including the trickiest, will be discussed", including that on discovery of missile parts in London. "I have not asked anyone's permission", added the Commission president, making it clear that he has the power to "invite or not to invite". He again specified that this issue had been the subject of "many exchanges of views" with the Member States over the past months and that he did not know, at this stage, when the meeting would take place. Mr Guterres simply stressed the need to initiate dialogue with "those who may adopt rational political behaviour".
- Taxation. "I am not optimistic, but we have decided to go into the matter in greater detail", said Mr Prodi, who hoped for a "more positive conclusion than in Helsinki". In this respect, Mr Guterres felt that there was the likelihood that an agreement would be reached if one managed to achieve a "balance between the minimum savings taxation chapter and that on the information exchange system" ("if we deal with the savings issue apart, it will be almost impossible to come to an agreement", he said).
- Borders blocked by French lorry drivers. "For the Commission, the problem is to act soon, and fast, as it did for meat", explained Mr Prodi, who affirmed that the intention of the Commission was "not to neglect any of its duties". Mr Guterres added that the bilateral discussion on this subject had been gone into in greater detail. In answer to questions on the measures that the Commission may have to decide on, Mr Prodi pointed out that these measures were currently being examined.
The plenary session between the Portuguese government and the Commission had been preceded by bilateral meetings between the various ministers who are to chair the Council sessions and the European Commissioners.
