Brussels, 06/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - During his press conference on Friday, the Chairman of the European Convention, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, did not seek to tone down criticism regarding the European Commission's "useful contribution", that he mentioned as one of the discussion documents that will be available to Convention Members for their debate on the institutions. "One might have thought there would be some emotion" after the diffusion of the Commission's document, "but, no", he told a journalist who asked him if some aspects of this contribution might cause antagonism within the Convention. VGE felt the document confirms that the "development of the Constitution inevitably results in repeal of the existing treaties" and therefore poses the question of what would happen for countries that do not ratify the new constitutional treaty (but, he added, this point has yet to be debated).
In answer to questions on the simulation exercise called "Penelope" conducted by the Commission, VGE replied: "Personally, I am very fond of Penelope (…). She used to work openly awaiting Ulysses' return (…). This Penelope waits for the Convention to get there (…). Penelope has been repudiated". He then criticised the result of the exercise, saying that the aim is to have a truly readable result that can be used for civic instruction classes. He also noted that the draft treaty, which is not a Commission document, is "not current" and has an "introduction that is 50 years old".
On the plenary's work, VGE stressed the elements of convergence concerning simplification (see below) even though some still hesitate over the abolition of unanimity. "One solution could be the introduction of super-qualified majority", he said, evoking changing competencies and "sensitive issues". He also noted reserve concerning budgetary procedure although progress has been made in this connection. The disappearance of the third pillar and the application of codecision to the area of freedom, security and justice, "more often than not with qualified majority" has move forward toward consensus, although some hope unanimity will be kept for "measures affecting the right of individuals". Serious and cross-border crimes requiring joint action should be listed in the treaty to serve as a legal basis for measures taken, but there must also be a move forward towards a tool, VGE said. He noted that there is a "large majority" in favour of the idea of a European prosecutor (he cited the continental countries) but that it comes up against "determined opposition" on the part of the "countries of Anglo-Saxon culture".