Strasbourg, 18/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - Several European Parliament political groups outlined to the press, prior to debate at Wednesday's session, their expectations of the Portuguese EU Council Presidency this half-year. Joaquim Miranda (United Left, Portugal) mentioned relations with Africa, pointing out that, given the developments of the last few days, the proposed summit with Africa may finally take place: if so, the time left to organise it is very limited, he insisted. Mr Miranda also said the European Union should review the situation in Angola and its policy towards this country. Concerning the IGC, the main issue to be addressed is the democratic deficit, which means that the problems of the participation of national parliaments and the statutes of the European Central Bank will have to be raised.
At his press conference, the Greens' Co-Chair Paul Lannoye said the Portuguese Presidency would bear "tremendous responsibility", "historic responsibility" as far as the IGC is concerned, if reform of the operation of the EU, which is expected by citizens, does not become a reality. According to the Belgian MEP, if rules on unanimity are not changed by the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference, "there will never be agreement" in an enlarged Union on issues as important as the tax package.
Socialist Group Chair Enrique Baron told the press that the Portuguese Presidency's position on the IGC is "positive", particularly on the European Parliament's participation therein and a broader agenda for the conference. This is the first time a document on the priorities of a Council Presidency mentions the MEP statute as one of its priorities, pointed out Mr Baron, adding that this question could not be a matter for political groups and that it must be negotiated by the President of Parliament.