Lisbon, 14/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - As we have indicated (see EUROPE of 10/11 April, page 6), the preparatory group of the intergovernmental conference in the institutional reform of the EU Chaired by the Secretary of State for European Affairs Francisco Sexias da Costa held an informal meeting in Portugal, this Friday and Saturday 15 April. The discussion between the representatives for the foreign affairs Ministers for the IGC should be main centred of strengthened cooperation, an issue that is part of the three "leftovers of Amsterdam", but that have already been broached by the negotiators.
The next discussion at Ministerial level should take place on the sidelines of the informal meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs ("Gymnich" type), on the 5 to 7 May in Acores.