Brussels, 07/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - Speaking to the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels on Monday, the President of the EU Council Francisco Seixas da Costa raised the peace process in the Middle East and, according to a Parliament press release, had critical words to says regarding Syria, qualifying as "limited" its will to reach an agreement, and he deplored the negative effects of the deadlock in this process on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
In addition, asked about EU enlargement, Seixas da Costa said he understood the desire of the candidate countries to secure a timeframe for their move towards accession, but considered that this would not be possible as long as the European Commission had not fully analyzed their progress. But, the European Council of Nice will have to provide a signal confirming the impetus of the enlargement process, he said.
Mr. Seixas da Costa was also questioned on the speech by Joschka Fischer, which, he said, was a "courageous and necessary contribution to the debate"; however, he did criticise certain aspects, especially regarding the insufficient role being envisaged for the Commission. As for the Charter of Fundamental Rights, speaking as Portuguese Minister, he said that it should be binding.