Brussels, 27/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - In a speech given to the "Friends of Europe" chaired by Etienne Davignon on Monday in Brussels, on the theme "Mr CFSP - one year on", EU High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana stressed that, in very little time, since January, Europe has managed to give itself a civilian and military crisis capability. Just one year ago, the construction of such capabilities was no more than an "idea", but today it has become a "reality", he said.
On the subject of the "foreign policy" section of CFSP and possible rivalry between himself and Mr Patten, the High Representative said he had good contacts with both Mr Prodi and Mr Patten. "My work consists in creating an infrastructure and mechanisms and not a new power centre, or more complicated relations between institutions, he said. He went on to add: "my position - I did not ask for the job, I was called - does not take anything from anybody". To the question of knowing whether he can imagine a "merger" between the positions of the Commissioner for External Affairs and High Representative, Mr Solana replied that the breakdown of powers should remain as it is today. He noted, moreover, that "Community competence will probably never be extended to security policy".
Mr Solana also felt that the "problem" of the EU is its "rate" of work at ministerial level, that is, a "monthly rate" (one General Affairs Council per month, the timetable of which is decided long in advance). In his view, this rate should be changed, to allow meetings to be held (and therefore positions if not decisions taken) "in real time". "We need a more flexible process", Mr Solana stressed.