15/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - When announcing the names of the candidates for the European Parliament presidency at the plenary in Strasbourg on Monday evening the venerable Portuguese Socialist, Mario Soares, paid tribute to the outgoing President, Nicole Fontaine, adding his voice to the thank you addressed to her on 17 December (as the Brussels extraordinary session on the Laeken Summit, ED). The former President of Portugal added that two and a half years ago, he had been one of her rivals and he was delighted to be able to recognise her dignity, excellence, efficiency and extreme elegance in fulfilling her role, serving the European Union and acting to increase Parliament's prestige.