31/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the EPP-ED group at the European Parliament confirmed in a private meeting with President Prodi that he supported the European Commission in its role as Guardian of the Treaties with the attendant duty conferred by the Treaties to protect and support the Stability Pact which forms the basis of stability for the euro, explained a press release. On the Commission's use of the early warning system for the German budget deficit (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.6), the CDU MEP said that he could not fail to support the Commission when it applies the same parameters to all Member States and does not treat bigger countries more favourably than smaller ones. EUROPE will return to other comments on this issue.