A question mark to be eliminated. And Italy, where it is positioned? In the debate underway over the future of Europe, it is always in a questioning form that the Italian case is raised, because the attitude of the new government and the new majority remains somewhat uncertain. Silvio Berlusconi spoke, in relatively general terms, of a "continuity" of Italian European policy, and at the same time he expressed a certain degree of agreement with the positions of Mr Blair and Mr Aznar. Concerning "continuity", he designated as Minister for Foreign Affairs Renato Ruggiero, former high ranking civil servant from the Commission, former Italian Permanent Representative to Brussels, former Minister for Trade, man who - as I know him - would not hesitate resigning rather than support a "luke warm" policy towards the European building process. The role of Ruggiero is vital if Berlusconi wants the disappearance of certain perplexities that accompany his electoral victory. The German Minister for Foreign Affairs Joschka Fischer has just stated: I feel that in the context of the process that leads to 2004, Italian foreign policy, under the leadership of Renato Ruggiero, could play a highly significant role, comparable to that of last years. Thus this nomination represented a significant gesture. Though it is not sufficient to eliminate all the uncertainties.
For a European identity. Presently, an additional reassuring element is present: the President of the Republic took a stance. He did so on 3 July in Milan, before a floor of youths gathered by the ISPI, when speaking in favour of a "European identity" based on a "code of ethics" and making Europe a true protagonist of the international reality. Thus, Europe could put across its views in the face of major global risks that Azeglio Ciampi described as: uncontrolled globalisation, the misuse of technologies, environmental negligence, undisciplined immigration, pressure from international organised crime. Thus he clearly expressed himself in favour of the powerful-Europe, whose "centre of gravity and animation" must be, in his opinion, the core of founding countries and the Euro zone. The shape of this compact Europe should take, seems, to him, to be that of the "Federation of nation-States", which allows to extend the "intuition" of the Founding fathers, who conciliated the federal vocation of the Union with the legitimacy of the States. The means Mr Ciampi favours are:
A fundamental act, or constitution, including three elements: the charter of fundamental rights, the definition of the functions of the Union and the States, a reorganised and simplified treaty;
The enhancement of the supranational role of the Commission;
A "clearer" legislative power for the European Parliament and an "inclusive" role for the national parliaments in the EU decision-making process;
The common foreign and defence policy;
The ability for the Union to speak with one voice at the global level.
The political weight of Europe must firstly be exercised in the Middle East and in the Balkans, on condition that the peoples and the countries concerned play their part. Palestinians and Israelis must be aware that, in the absence of a long-lasting peace, the "great alliance" with Europe would be unrealistic, and the countries of the Balkans must realise that, in far more dramatic circumstances, there have been great European countries after the Second World War, while forgetting their grievances.
Around these main themes, it is not for the President of the Republic to define the Italian policy. This is a task that belongs to the government. In the meantime, it is significant that Mr Ciampi has spoken out in a clear manner. (F.R.)
*** Mr Geremek and Polish agriculture. An "important" French political figure who expressed to him the fear of the agricultural circles in his country to see Polish agriculture damage the French agricultural market. Mr Bronislav Gemerek, former Polish Minister for European Affairs (and presently one of the advisors to the Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt for the preparation of the "Laeken declaration), answered: This morning, I took by breakfast in Warsaw. I ate Polish bread, a French yoghurt, Dutch butter, and I drank a German fruit juice. And you, what did you have that was Polish in your breakfast? (Statement gathered by Sabine Verhest for "La Libre Belgique").