Brussels, 01/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of the inaugural session of the European Convention, the representative for the Finnish Prime Minister, Teija Tiilikainen, told a group of journalists of her expectations and her idea of the work to be covered. She stressed how necessary it was to listen to the citizens and to launch the debate on the basis of the concerns that they express. "We must build the future and not codify the past as was the case in the previous Convention" (Ed.: for elaborating the Charter of Fundamental Rights), she noted, urging for an open debate where all subjects can be tackled. In answer to questions on different aspects of reform, she said she hoped that confrontation between the large and small countries would not reoccur and, above all, that it would be possible to avoid having this kind of debate again on national positions that usually poison intergovernmental conferences. Adopting a very pragmatic approach, Ms Tiilikainen also felt that: - in some cases, the intergovernmental method is necessary, because it reflects the historical construction of Europe, but that the Community method should be extended; - before taking a stance on any element, it will be necessary to analyse each institutional change in the context of general reform of the structure.