Brussels, 15/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a letter he addressed to the Heads of State and Government of the Union on the eve of the informal European Council in Athens, the Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, indicated that he had invited the Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan to speak to the European conference on 17 April between the Fifteen, the ten future Member States, EFTA counties and those involved in the stabilisation process, Ukraine and Moldova. Mr Simitis added that "I also think it useful to include Russia among us".
On the subject of the informal European Council that will precede it on 16 April in the morning for the signing of the accession treaty, Mr Simitis pointed out that it would focus on the work of the European Convention, particularly the five following issues: the way in which greater continuity at the Presidency of the European Council and the Council groups can be ensured; the size and composition of the Commission (starting with 27 Member States); the appointment and powers of the Commission President; the appointment and the powers of a possible Foreign Affairs Minister; the role of a possible body (conference or congress), consisting of representatives form the national parliaments and the European Parliament.