Brussels, 21/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is to meet in a seminar on 30 November and 1 December in Knokke (Belgium) to prepare the Laeken Summit on 14 and 15 December.
The meeting, which will not result in any decision or formal proposal, will mainly consist of an exchange of views on institutional reform that will be the major theme in Laeken, where EU Heads of State and Government are to above all decide who will be the president of the Convention for preparing the IGC. Unanswered questions include: How much time should there be for reflection between the Convention and the opening of the IGC? Should the Convention put "proposals" to the IGC in good and due form or "options"? What themes should the Convention work on?
In a personal note to his colleagues in October with a view to the seminar, Michel Barnier, the Commissioner for institutional affairs, is to list the issues still pending. He will not, however, take position between supporters of "options" or of "consensus" for work by the Convention, or between supporters of "multiple strengthened cooperation" and of a true, structured "vanguard". On this first dilemma, Mr Barnier did not, on Monday, when speaking before the EP Committee on Constitutional Affairs, conceal his preference for the solution of "options" (see below). In his note, Mr Barnier stresses the existence in Europe of different ambitions and determination that the institutional reforms should take into account. For the remainder, he mainly speaks of several "firm" demands, such as that of greater involvement of national parliaments in Community decision-making, creating a "Legislative Affairs Council"; generalising co-decision, and revising the arrangements for the election of MEPs in order to bring them closer to their voters; as well as foreseeing the possibility of dissolving the EP and raising the question of the possibility for a Member State to leave the Union.
In addition to institutional issues, the Commission should also tackle, in Knokke, the main topical issues, as is the custom on such occasions.