Brussels, 12/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Presidents of the European institutions gathered, on Wednesday, to discuss the progress of the administrative reform. In a declaration to which the Council did not associate itself, they indicate having become aware of the works and the report by the High-Level negotiating body (see EUROPE of 9/10 July, page 13 and 14) and "fully" support the basic principals adopted by the group. The Presidents underline the importance of the statute's continuity and unity without prejudice for the internal implementation procedures of each institution.
With regards to the issue of the structure of careers, they agree that fundamental work must still be done to find better solutions, while taking stock of the Commission's intention to submit new options by the beginning of September. Furthermore, they entrust their respective Secretary Generals with intensifying their cooperation on this basis, in order to deepen the various options, while taking into account the needs of all the institutions. The results from these reflections should allow for one option to be retained in October. Any solution must target the reform and the simplification of the existing system in order to satisfy the requirement of an independent, modern and effective public function, while including the necessary statutory guarantees, one can read in the declaration. It will also require continuing the works in order to reach more flexible arrangements, both for the leaving for retirement and for the continuation of work after the normal age of retirement, which will contribute to a better management of the personnel, while bringing suitable protection to their interests, say the Presidents.