Copenhagen, 13/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - Presenting his speech before the European Council to the press, the Chairman of the European Convention, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, said he had noticed "not only a positive but also a warm reception of the Convention's work" and that no-one had criticised the structure of the draft constitutional treaty presented by the Praesidium. He pointed out that the work on drafting the new articles should begin in coming days and that he will be presenting the institutional organisation aspects to the European Council during its meeting of 21 March 2003 in Brussels. "We shall look at the possible transfer of powers with great caution", Mr Giscard d'Estaing forewarned, considering that it is necessary to seek "(Ed.: an institutional) triangle that is as equilateral as possible" and "see how to strengthen each side". Some members of the European Council (he cited the Portuguese Prime Minister) hoped to have a "global view", he added, stressing that this will see the light of day in April or May 2003.
In response to questions put by journalists, Mr Giscard d'Estaing mainly evoked the European Commission's "Penelope" project. "Our project is called Ulysses. He is reaching the end of his voyage. We shall be using the work done during his voyage by Penelope", he said, in a slightly less critical tone than that used a few days ago in Brussels when he had underlined that this document had not received the Commission's endorsement and had thus been repudiated (see EUROPE of 7 December, p.5). He felt, moreover, that a system is needed whereby "it is a specifically appointed minister who represents his government within the Council".
Speaking before the Fifteen, the Convention Chairman again urged in favour of his idea of a Congress of the Peoples. The Heads of State and Government did not react in any detailed way to Mr Giscard d'Estaing's remarks but many of them insisted on the need to comply with the timetable and not to question the key institutional balances. Tony Blair restated his government's opposition to bringing foreign and common security policy within the sphere of Community competence, and Göran Persson confirmed refusal of going over to qualified majority on tax issues.