Brussels, 09/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - The President of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, has written to Italian Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero, following information by which Italy would be prepared to hold the Intergovernmental Conference on the forthcoming review of the EU Treaty, in principle scheduled for 2004, during its Presidency of the EU Council, in the second half of 2003 (see EUROPE of 8 August, p.2). The Euro-MP member of the CDU welcomes this idea and assures Ruggiero of his Group's support as, he says, "it is not only important to deal quickly with the open questions of the structure and competencies of the body to decide on Treaty reforms and the Charter of Fundamental Rights but also to give citizens of the EU (and the accession States) clear perspectives on the development of the EU at the next elections in 2004". By adopting the Mendez de Vigo/Seguro Report in May, Parliament had asked for the next IGC to be brought forward to the second half of 2003, so that the new treaty may be adopted in December of the same year, before the June 2004 European elections and before negotiations on the composition of the new European Commission (see EUROPE of 1 June, pages 3 to 5).