Brussels, 30/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - As we mentioned (see EUROPE of 31 January/1February, and 12 February), in a Memorandum, the Greek Government has set out what it believes the priorities should be for the Intergovernmental Conference on the EU's institutional reforms, stating in particular that the "revision of the Treaties provides an opportunity to respond to certain concerns and demands expressed by European citizens and the European society". Among these concerns, Greece cites "the problem of European security", and considers that the IGC should "deal, in due course, with the institutional and legal matters of defence policy that ought to be settled in the Treaty", and which, according to the Memorandum, include the status of the Political and Security Committee and "other bodies within the Union's institutional system, as well as the position of the Western European Union and its acquis in the Treaty on the European Union".
Stating that the ongoing revision must preserve the equality between Member States, solidarity and cohesion, and that it should not "upset fundamental and historical balances, such as that between larger and smaller states", Greece says it is prepared to include in the IGC's agenda, other than certain aspects of Esdp (as long as the current process reaches the conclusion that these aspects must be "incorporated in the Treaty"): - issues related to the reform of other EU bodies and institutions; - the Charter of Fundamental Rights (here too, as long as the Convention which is drawing it up "succeeds in its task"); - issues that could convey a positive message to European society", like, "indicatively, provisions with regard to sport", the "society of knowledge", food safety, protection from natural disasters, enhanced provisions for employment, etc.. In addition, Greece supports granting "expressis verbis" legal personality to the European Union.
As for "enhanced cooperation", noting that the existing provisions of the Amsterdam Treaty have never been implemented, Greece confirms that it "views with considerable skepticism the re-negotiation of this particular chapter of the Treaty", especially as that could send the wrong message to candidate countries". Any form of "enhanced cooperation" should "involve at least the majority of EU Member States", says the Memorandum, adding that, should this issue be reexamined, the IGC must also examine the incorporation of a solidarity clause which "would provide support for those Members that, albeit they wish to, cannot immediately participate in enhanced cooperation schemes".
Regarding the three "Amsterdam leftovers", Greece's position is as follows:
1. European Commission. Greece attaches particular importance to a "strong, independent, effective, democratically legitimized and accountable Commission", which continues to be the "central" organ of the EU's institutional system. Greece backs the principle of "one Member State -one Commissioner", and considers that a ceiling to the number of Commissioners would, "at this stage, be an option of little practical value and most certain to send a negative message to candidate countries". "Any discrimination among Commissioners in terms of either portfolio allocation or voting rights, would not only be erroneous, it would also undermine the very efficiency of the institution", says Greece, which is willing to accept, "provided that certain conditions for safeguarding vital inter-institutional balances are met, the possibility of a Commissioner's personal dismissal by the European Parliament".
2. Allocation of votes. According to Greece, "a re-weighting of votes is unnecessary", given that the "realistic" prospect of an enlargement to 21 Member states in the coming years "does not pose any particular problems". According to the Memorandum, if the system were to be changed, a system of "dual majority" would be the most appropriate successor in an enlarged Europe (to achieve a qualified majority there would need to be 60% of Member States representing at least 60% of the EU's total population, Greece stipulates).
3. Extension of qualified majority voting. Saying it is prepared to examine this extension, on a "case by case" basis, Greece considers that certain "vital" issues must continue to be subject to the rule of unanimity (those concerning the "EU's constitutional and institutional structure", enlargement and issues requiring ratification by Member States or of an intergovernmental nature). Greece could also accept extending qualified majority voting to cases currently subject to co-decision and unanimity.