Brussels, 24/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The very detailed work is currently going on within the Preparatory Group of the Intergovernmental Conference on reforming the institutions over extending qualified majority voting in Council. On Monday, the French Presidency presented fairly elaborate draft articles to the group chaired by France's Permanent Representative, Pierre Virmont, on some of the most sensitive aspects. "The meeting did not give rise to conclusions or spectacular developments, but we are trying to focus discussions and, consequently, the texts", a European source explained. The two subjects considered to be the most delicate in these negotiations (reform of the European Commission and re-weighting of votes in council) were raised over lunch. "For now, there is no perceptible movement. We are still in the phase of analysing the results of the European Summit of Biarritz (which revealed a gap between the "large" and "small" countries")", said a diplomat. Many bilateral contacts have, however, taken place in the corridors, and a dialogue should be set up between the small and medium-sized countries.
Among the subjects that may move towards qualified majority voting, on Monday the following were mentioned: measures against discrimination, social policy, tax, economic and social cohesion and the environment. For each of them, it is not a question of moving in a single go from unanimity to a majority, but of ring-fencing certain aspects on which decisions could be taken more easily. "Ten States agree to move to qualified majority voting for Article 13 (anti-discrimination measures)", said a spokesperson for the French presidency. Majorities were also observed on other articles but they are all still the subject of important reservations on the part of certain delegations (among them, Denmark for social affairs, Greece, Portugal and Spain on economic and social cohesion, etc.). Adjustments are still required in all areas. Other difficult subjects (trade policy and provisions regarding visas, asylum and immigration) will be broached at the Group's next meeting, on 30 October. The Presidency will then present a summary report on 4 and 5 November, at the informal meeting of the Vimont Group in Paris.
Discussions over the revision of Article 7, moreover, demonstrated on Monday that a majority of delegations would like a warning mechanism allowing for the existence of a risk of violations of the fundamental values of the European Union to be detected, even though Denmark is still very reluctant. They are in favour of the establishment of light and sufficiently flexible procedures to give the Council a certain margin of manoeuvre when need be, while affirming the right of the country concerned to defend itself. The debate on enhanced cooperation was adjourned until next Monday.
Portugal refers to great firmness - there will be no agreement without "one Commissioner per country"
On the fringe of the meeting of the Vimont Group, the Portuguese Minister for European Affairs, Francesco Seixas da Costa, said that he was not all that optimistic regarding developments in negotiations. "The Biarritz Summit did not contribute in moving things forward.
It worsened the mistrust of the small and medium-sized countries (…) and rendered the debate more rigid", he told the press. for him, the attempt by the more populated countries to strengthen their power in the Council before enlargement, is aimed at rendering the small countries "unnecessary" in the decision-making process, and the debate on the effectiveness of the European Commission has been moved: "An effective Commission is also a legitimate Commission, whose decisions are accepted by all, and where all countries are represented", he stressed. "We shall not emerge from this Intergovernmental Conference without a Commissioner per Member states. That's our stance and we won't budge".