Brussels, 18/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The president of the EPP/ED group at the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, requested as he spoke to several journalists (after his breakfast with President Prodi), that the EU governments send "excellent representatives" to the future Convention that is to prepare the next IGC. Regarding the Convention's Presidium, he feels it would "not be reasonable", as some have suggested, for it to be composed of seven persons, including four representatives of Member States. He would rather propose an egalitarian presidium of five members: four representatives of the various elements making up the Convention (governments, EP, national parliaments and European Commission) and a president. In response to questions put to him, he said he does have some ideas about the future president, but that it is too early to make them known. In his view, moreover, the Convention may not result in a decision to be accepted or rejected outright, but should do something more than put "options" forward. The European elected CDU member thus conjures up "majorities, even large majorities" forming within the Convention, as well as minority opinions that the IGC could examine as alternatives - which does not prevent the Convention from seeking to reach real "recommendations" to be presented to the Intergovernmental Conference as "proposals".
Furthermore, Mr Pöttering spoke of:
- The fight against terrorism. He insisted on the need to move from "intergovernmental" to "Community" measures. He felt that what is needed is "legal security" and "Community law".
- The election of Nicole Fontaine's successor as EP President. Mr Pöttering said that, if he were re-elected leader of the group (Ed.: he will be running as his own successor during the meeting of the EPP-ED Bureau on 14 November), he would work in favour of electing the president of the Liberal Group, Pat Cox, in conformity with the "agreements" between the groups when Ms Fontaine was elected.
- Bodo Hombach's successor as Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South East Europe. According to Mr Pöttering, External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten should take over from Mr Hombach. "He has the budgetary means", remarked Mr Pöttering.