Brussels, 07/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - Even if there are still differences of opinion, diplomatic sources on Friday noted positions of Member States on Council reform had become closer. The report that the General Affairs Council should adopt during its session of 17 and 18 June could finally eliminate several of the solutions formulated in the document that the Secretary General of the Council, Javier Solana, had presented to Heads of State and Government during the European Council of Barcelona. In the present state of the dossier, reform is moving towards:
Increased transparency: Meetings devoted to the Council's legislative work could be opened to the public for all issues coming under codecision with the European Parliament. This opening would concern the first Council policy debate and the session devoted to the vote. The intermediary sessions would, however, remain in camera.
Reform of the General Affairs Council: The General Affairs Council is said to be divided into two new formations. The first would take on the tasks of horizontal coordination and follow-up of guidelines fixed by the European Council. It would be composed of a minister designated for this purpose by each country, which would keep the possibility of sending their foreign minister. The other formation would be responsible for common foreign and security policy. It would be composed of foreign ministers but could also, where necessary, bring together defence ministers, external trade ministers or even development cooperation ministers.
More effective European Council: The work of the European Council should be better structured and coordinated, on the basis of an agenda that is clearly more limited. The fastidious operation of drafting conclusions should be abandoned, in the same way as the many ceremonies and dinners.