Luxembourg, 21/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 20 January 2003, the Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of the Benelux countries, whose Presidency is currently held by Luxembourg, adopted a common position on the Franco-German contribution to the European Convention on the EU's institutional architecture (see EUROPE of 17 January, p.4, and 18 January, p.4, for the reactions of Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and Foreign Minister Lydie Polfer). We give below an overview of the position held by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
The Benelux partners share Germany and France's concern to maintain an effective and democratic institutional architecture of the Union, in order to allow the enlarged Union to achieve its objectives. As they pointed out in the memorandum published on 4 December (see EUROPE/Documents No 2304, dated 6 December 2002), the European Union must have strong common institutions, give preference to and extend the Community method, and strengthen the institutional elements that promote the general interest. It is important to make the existing institutions more effective, and not to make the institutional structure more complicated. Benelux is not in favour of creating new institutions such as a Congress.
For the Benelux countries but also for the Franco-German partners, the Commission must remain the guarantor of common interest and the driving force behind European construction. Furthermore, they give support to a stronger Commission role not only in its exeucitive function but also for monitoring the Stability and Growth Pact. Election of the Commission President by the European Parliament will strengthen the Commission's democratic legitimacy and thus confirm its central role in the building of Europe.
The Benelux countries share the determination to extend the use of qualified majority and co-decision by the European Parliament in legislative matters.
As far as the European Council is concerned, the Benelux is still in favour of maintaining rotation at the level of the European Council and also for specialised Councils. It restates its opposition to the principle of having an elected, full-time president outside the European Council, as this could alter the institutional balance mainly to the detriment of the Commission, and as a result cause confusion of powers as well as rivalry between the institutions. The Benelux partners consider that an additional European actor on the international scene is likely to cause confusion in EU representation within the various international meetings. Also, Benelux recommends that the presidency of the General Affairs Council, the coordination council par excellence, should be held by the Commission President.
The Benelux countries welcome with interest the Franco-German views on common foreign and security policy which reflect those expressed in the Benelux Memorandum in December. The Union would be given stronger and more credible means for action on the international scene if a single representative function were created, embodied in one person also called the "European Foreign Minister" and who would be not only a member of the Commission but also hold office in the CFSP/ESDP fields under the Council's authority, and if there were extension of qualified majority for CFSP issues, as well as the possibility for enhanced cooperation in defence matters. Furthermore, the Benelux countries continue to recommend that the "European Foreign Minister" should preside over the External Relations Council.
Like other contributions and above all that of the Benelux Memorandum, the Franco-German contribution enriches the debate within the Convention. At a time when the latter is entering its decisive phase, the Benelux countries repeat their confidence in the Convention's ability to present an ambitious and well-balanced constitutional proposal for the future of Union".