Brussels, 21/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - European Institutional Affairs Commissioner Michel Barnier and the Commissioner for the area of justice, freedom and security, Antonio Vitorino gave a broad outline to reporters on Thursday of their speeches to the European Convention - Mr Vitorino on Thursday afternoon and Mr Barnier on Friday morning. Michel Barnier had attended the Convention Praesidium meeting on Wednesday afternoon along with Antonio Vitorino, and explained that the Praesidium had looked at the Convention's programme, adding that the 15/16 April plenary would be devoted to a very general debate on the EU's political mission, while the 23/24 May plenary would consider the democratic functioning of the institutions. Asked about the decision to put off until later discussions of the Civil Society Forum (scheduled for 15 April) Mr Vitorino said that Chairman Jean-Luc Dehaene had suggested the postponement to enable the debate to be better organised and that it did not signify any change in policy. He said that civil society was not only participating via the Forum, but also through the Convention website. Mr Barnier mentioned Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's idea to hold a Convention of Young People (probably in July). The debate about Europe has come out of the cupboard and is taking place in a single, pluralist location for the first time in fifty years, stressed Mr Barnier.
Michel Barnier said that at the beginning of April, the European Commission would hold a seminar on the Convention and on 30 April it would adopt a document setting out a political project (which would be followed by specific recommendations). He said that in the document, the Commission would note the need to ensure the will existed to extend the EU in two board directions, and then decide what instruments would be necessary to achieve this. The first direction where reform was needed, he said, was the economic and social model, where it was important for the EU to consider what it wanted to do with the potential power provided by the euro. Mr Barnier said the European economy had to be "governed" and that currencies needed policies (also a co-ordination of economic policies and various tax elements to ensure the internal market operates smoothly). The second direction is Europe's desire (or not) to be something other than a regional power, to play a political role in the world, to combat violence and poverty, preventing and solving conflict, encouraging respect for civilisations and cultures, first of all at our borders (mentioning Russia and the Mediterranean countries). How could this be reconciles with the neutrality of some countries, asked Mr Barnier. It could be done, he argued, through the Treaties, which are flexible enough (through the use of strengthened co-operation for example, which would enable all countries to be around the same table but those which want to would be able to go on ahead, he explained).
Antonio Vitorino said the aim of the first "listening" phase of the Convention should be an open debate on the common values that justify the European experiment without ignoring cultural and linguistic diversity, the "diversity of Member States". We need "more political Europe", and a better performing Europe focusing its efforts where it can provide value-added; with a vision to "renovate the Community Method" exclaimed Mr Vitorino. In his eyes, basically, it's a matter of defining the re-founding of the Union. The Commissioner also participated in the Convention on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which he argued should be incorporated into the institutional architecture, the "constitutional" architecture of the European Union.
The Commissioners answered questions from reporters on:
- "pressure by the Holy See and the Bishops for the Convention to take the religious dimension into account. Mr Vitorino recalled that Mr Prodi had explicitly cited this dimension in his speech at the opening of the Convention, and Mr Barnier felt that the role of the churches is very important.
Commission/Germany: If there is misunderstanding, then this must be cleared up, says Barnier
In answer to questions put to him on the repeated criticism of the European Commission recently voiced by Chancellor Schröder (see also p.7), Mr Barnier said he was "concerned" by this questioning of the daily life of the Commission. He stressed that they were doing their work, together, and in accordance with the Treaty. He did, however, recognise that special dialogue is definitely needed with Germany and that, if there is misunderstanding, then this should be cleared up. He cited in this context the meeting that Germany had proposed in order to discuss the question of "Germany's economic and industrial development capacity", a meeting that should be attended by several Commissioners "directly concerned". (Earlier, in response to a question, Commission spokesman Jonathan Faull had told the press that no decision had yet been taken as to where (Brussels or Berlin?) or when the meeting should take place, or which Commissioners should participate. In Barcelona, the Commission had felt that such a meeting could be "useful", he remarked). Regarding substance, Mr Barnier said it would be contradictory to want "strong federal institutions" on one hand and, on the other, to want to weaken common policies (such as cohesion and competition policies).