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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8111
THE DAY IN POLITICS / (eu) eu/future of europe

Persson calls for maximum of autonomy for future Convention

Stockholm, 12/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - At his meeting with Mr. Verhofstadt, in Stockholm on Monday, Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson did not prove to be very enthusiastic over the draft Laeken Declaration proposed by the Belgian Presidency. While stressing that this was a "working document" and what counted was the text that would finally be adopted on Saturday, Mr. Persson regarded the draft too directed. It is premature to provide answers to questions set out in the document, he explained, stating: "It will be the task of the Convention that will have to have a maximum of autonomy". "It is now unthinkable to continue to work in the old way with intergovernmental conferences", the Swedish Prime minister added, also pleading in favour of a balanced composition of the Convention. Mr. Persson also regretted not seeing any name appear as candidate to chair the Convention.

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THE DAY IN POLITICS
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