Francisco Seixas da Costa has a special role within the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council, as State Secretary for European Affairs and due to the part he will play in the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on institutional reform. EUROPE reported in detail on his comments to European journalists recently in Lisbon (see 7 January, pp. 3-4) and also noted Prime Minister Antonio Guterres' observation that Portugal had moved from a relatively negative position on enhanced cooperation to a more positive one, and that this change had taken place "faster among some than among others'" in the government (see EUROPE of 10/11 January, page 8). This would mean that Mr Seixas da Costa's positions do not necessarily correspond in all regards to those of the government as a whole.
This said however, the interview with Mr Seixas da Costa published by the French newspaper Libération appears to be an important contribution to the debate on institutional reform, completing the overview we tried to give readers in the "Look behind the News" column of 10/11 and 12 January. The State Secretary confirms his convictions while insisting on the fact that the Presidency can impose nothing but must summarise the positions of all the Member States. This is why his declarations express a clear political will, but at the same time a certain scepticism, and include the assertion that the ambitions of a Union of 27 cannot be the same as those of a Union of 15.
(F.R.)
INTERVIEW IN LIBÉRATION of 12 January 2000, by Jean Quatremer
"We shall see how far Member States are willing to go. The question is whether we wish to conduct a short-term institutional reform so as to proceed with a limited initial enlargement or whether we should undertake a major reform designed to prepare the Union now for membership of 27 countries. It is clear that most of the Fifteen are rather reluctant about the idea of taking the latter course: they do not want to take the risk of delaying enlargement, which must be able to happen as of January 2003.
In my view, the will to conduct a comprehensive reform of the Union no longer exists. There is a general lack of ambition, as reflected in the Helsinki European Council.
There are countries that are willing to go very far. Portugal is prepared to accept a deeper reform (…). But does the Portuguese Presidency have the possibility of forcing the hand of a majority of countries that do not want an ambitious reform or must it be content with finding the smallest common denominator?
To make possible the enlargement of Europe to the Eastern European countries and to offer them political stability and economic development, the Fifteen have made an implicit choice, opting for a Union that differs from the one that has existed to date. The challenge of enlargement has changed the quality of the Union and reduced the ambition of the European undertaking. This may be regrettable but could not be avoided.
Enhanced cooperation by the countries wishing to move forward is the only solution for maintaining the acquis of the Europe of Fifteen. If we try to advance as 27, the average level of policies pursued is likely to be even weaker (…).
Among the Amsterdam 'leftovers', the fundamental issue is that of extension of qualified majority voting in the Council. If we fail to reach agreement, it will be very difficult to proceed with enlargement. There are still 45 areas that require unanimity: this is too many. On the other hand, the number of Commissioners or the weighting of votes between big and small countries does not seem fundamental for an initial enlargement. Unlike what some claim, we have never seen a coalition of small countries against big ones. And we are of the view that it is hard to imagine a Commission without a Commissioner from every Member State.
I understand the argument that the present ICG should be seized as an opportunity to advance as far as possible: institutional instability must come to an end. The problem is that a deeper reform risks delaying enlargement. If there is a common will to do so, why not, provided this is explained to the applicant countries."