Brussels, 22/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - "Informal" Ghent summit, on Friday 19 October, around 20h30. First press conference. Jammed between the marathon declarations by European Council President Guy Verhofstadt and dinner time, European Commission President Romano Prodi will hardly have time to take the floor. Probably put out about this, he will choose not to attend the second press conference of the evening three hours later. "He feared he would not have time to speak", said his spokesman, Jonathan Faull, on Monday. The incident should be seen in the context of the "private" letter addressed on 12 October by the Commission President to Mr Verhofstadt, a letter that has so far remained unanswered, and in which Mr Prodi, with reference to the Extraordinary Council in Brussels on 21 September, expressed concern about the organisation of joint press conferences.
Each country, each EU Presidency has its own style, Mr Faull said in substance. He said that the Belgian Presidency declarations, which are usually lengthy and very often in two languages, last a long while, and often prevent the Commission President from answering questions put by journalists. In response to a question, Jonathan Faull pointed out that he was "sure" that other Commissioners share Mr Prod's point of view. In Mr Prodi's opinion, a press conference must begin with "short statements" by the Council Presidency and the Commission to leave sufficient time for journalists to ask questions. For the Commission, the incident in Ghent in no way shows a lack of political weight. "Ninety-five to 98 or perhaps 99% of the work carried out in Ghent was based on the Commission's preparations, in cooperation with the Belgian Presidency", noted the spokesman, who gave his assurance that Mr Prodi and Mr Verhofstadt "get on well" and are able to cooperate very well.