Upon invitation from Pierre Lequiller, Jacques Delors has outlined his vision of the future of Europe to the French national assembly's "Delegation for the European Union". As usual, the hearing was made up of a presentation and a question and answer session. To clarify matters, we have divided Jacques Delors' statements according to subject matter.

Three objectives for "greater Europe". Having "never believed" that all the Treaty's objectives can be achieved by 25 states, Delors described the three objectives of the greater Europe:

Setting up an area of peace and security with regard to the past of several countries with the painful memory of having been subject to treaties. The security of individuals currently covered by the third pillar also has to be assured.

A framework for sustainable development beyond extending the benefits of the big marketplace, including competitiveness (to stimulate), cooperation (to reinforce) and solidarity (to unite). European investment in research, technology and big project has to be increased. The EU's action for backward regions shows that European solidarity is a reality (but the EU's budget perspectives for the social and territorial cohesion of the enlarged Europe are of concern). Environmental policy and, to a reasonable extent, social policy, are also part of Community solidarity.

Enriched expression of diversity. Europe has to give itself the means to combat the process of rendering uniform that is a danger because of the excesses of globalisation.

Political agreement on these three objectives in the future Constitutional Treaty would mean that in 25 years time historians could describe Europe as playing its part in a certain control of globalisation.

Common Foreign Policy. "In my opinion, common action should only be carried out when possible and therefore not in the framework of strengthened co-operation or an avant-garde. All the Commission's resources (including development aid and trade policy) should be put at the services of foreign policy when common action is undertaken. But this wording is opposed by the French and British. The Franco-German proposal (a European foreign minister) starts from the idea of playing on gradualism. This option has the advantage of not exposing the EU in terms of foreign policy, but the disadvantage of starting off down the road of a two-speed Europe."

Defence Policy. "Strengthened cooperation is essential and; where necessary (NB: in the event of crisis at the Convention), an avant-garde. Defence is a matter of ambitions, resources and technology. A European defence policy cannot be developed without relying on countries that have the desire and the resources. Europe has to develop its own defence industry both from the strategy and from the economic viewpoint. Everyone has to be made to understand, particularly candidate countries, that the EU is only there not to deal with economics while NATO deals with politics. Europe was not made for that."

Economic and Monetary Union. "Economic policy cannot focus on the budget deficit without taking into account, for example, the proportion of spending that can be called "future spending". New rules are needed and the Commission has to assume its responsibility and have the right of initiative. A "Mr or Mrs Euro" representing the eurozone abroad is needed. The President of the Commission could represent the eurozone, or a President of Eurogroup with a longer term of office. An "economic policy coordination pact" would supplement rather than replace the Stability and Growth Pact. The contents of the budget and the quality of spending would be as important as the 3% GDP ceiling for the deficit. In periods of boom less asymmetry would make it possible to increase growth by 1% and the opportunity could be seized to cut the budget deficit. It is not a good idea to call for budget deficit reduction now (and elimination by 2006) in a period of economic problems and low growth… We have to learn the lessons of the past. An economic policy coordination pact would enrich the current Stability Pact. And EMU should become strengthened cooperation to end the situation whereby Eurogroup meets and then the EU15 takes decisions with the danger of introducing a Trojan horse into the works…. The coordination of economic policies would favour loyal competition as long as two points are harmonised: taxation of savings tax and the main rules governing company taxation. It is not appropriate for Ireland to practice tax dumping while continuing to receive various tranches of Community aid."

We will return to other aspects of Jacques' Delors statements.