Brussels, 14/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - In a lengthy interview with Der Spiegel, asked about Chancellor Schroeder's ideas on the future of Europe (with a Constitution, a Commission as "strong Executive", and a Council as second Chamber), European Commission President Romano Prodi replied "The direction is right. But it is still not a definitive proposal (…) We cannot agree to the Council becoming a second chamber (…) There are other proposals. Possibly better ones". Both concerning the role of the Commission and "other in-depth reforms of the EU", "I see Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg on my side", said Prodi, adding: "France is now obliged to take an immediate stance and express itself".
As for a transfer of powers of agricultural policy from Community level to national level, Mr. Prodi rectified: "What Chancellor Schroeder had to say was not so brutal (…) The withdrawal of powers for agricultural policy would destroy the internal market. This is not acceptable. I say "yes" to a decentralization of the management of agricultural subsidies". Regarding the link that Spain would like to make between enlargement negotiations and structural policies in 2006, Mr. Prodi stated that: "By 2006, all will be settled (…) Naturally, now is not the time to put in new demands. But, at some time, we shall have to discuss intensively special situations like that of Spain". And, regarding France's request for clarifications before enlargement of the consequences of the reform of the CAP, Prodi insisted: "There is no formal link between these two separate negotiations. But (…) we are anyway obliged to review the need for a general reform of agricultural policy at the end of 2002".