06/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - The three Convention Members Louis Michel (Belgium), Jacques Santer (Luxembourg) and Gijs De Vries (Netherlands) presented to the press, on Thursday, the Benelux memorandum on the EU's institutional structure. According to the Belgian Foreign Minister, this should be an effective tool for the creation of a "critical mass" on a number of positions (see EUROPE/Documents in supplement to yesterday's EUROPE). Mr Michel mainly cited the central role of the European Commission, the balance between the institutions and equality between member States and stressed the "similarities and convergence" between this document and that of the Commission. Answering questions on the choice of strengthened majority at the EP for election of the Commission Presidency, he felt a good point of the Commission was that it gives a chance to the representatives of all the countries and guarantees the legitimacy of the president. Mr De Vries noted that the proposals aimed at keeping a rotating European Council presidency and the presidency of the specialised Council formations have the support of the small countries. In answer to questions on his own personal assessment as former Commission president regarding the proposals aimed at having the General Affairs Council presided by the Commission president, Mr Santer said he was in favour of this system (a little earlier, during another press conference, Mr Prodi had taken an opposite stance). The former Luxembourg Prime Minister would even be willing to go further by proposing a "single president for the executive side".