Brussels, 22/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - In an interview published on 19 April in La Repubblica, European Commission President Romano Prodi commented on the Athens summit meetings on 16 and 17 April. He said that, during one of these meetings, he had "really felt a spirit of European identity among all twenty-five members". He said he had spoken openly with all the leaders of the future Member States on the subject of the "letter from Eight, and also that from the Vilnius Group, which caused the division in Europe over Iraq". While admitting that current EU members are not always in agreement among themselves, he insisted that "it must, however, be clear that, if one enters the Union, it is to become part of a family. One cannot imagine entrusting Europe with the portfolio and the United States with defence". On the themes discussed at the Convention, the "new members massively took the defence of the Community institutions against excessive Council influence", Mr Prodi said, adding: "They have the feel of Europe. But they also certainly have a feel for history that we must try to understand and respect".
Mr Prodi stated that he had, in Athens, "felt a strong wish to safeguard an institution that protects the general interest". He exclaimed: "it is not just speech-making rhetoric if we begin our speeches by calling for greater Commission powers". In answer to questions on the comment that Silvio Berlusconi let slip in Athens ("I would like a European Council with many ministers who also take care of the small States, whereas I would abolish the Commission"), Mr Prodi replied in the interview: "He said himself he was only joking". In Athens, however, after this explanation by the Italian Prime Minister, Mr Prodi had added: "It is a joke, and I shall take it as such", but jokes do not last very long and they sometimes express what is subconsciously felt. In his interview, Mr Prodi also feels that the idea of a European Foreign Affairs Minister "anchored to the Commission and to the Council is along the right lines". In his view, "finally, the only ones who challenge this completely are the British".
Regarding the risk that the Belgian proposal to create an independent European headquarters could appear like an "anti-NATO" initiative, Mr Prodi said: "Why should it? The United States has its own independent headquarters although it is part of NATO, doesn't it? We would be moving towards an alliance that is really based on two pillars, one European and the other American (…). That's what a real NATO is, not that which we are used to, which is only the Americans' NATO".
Answering questions on the EU's "vision" to include Russia, yet again proclaimed by Silvio Berlusconi in Athens, Mr Prodi recalls: "In Athens, I spoke with the Russian Foreign Minister, Ivanov, who confirmed to me what Putin has already said, namely that Russia does not intend to ask for membership to the European Union." He warned that: "Enlargement without a political destiny is only appropriate for those who want to reduce the European Union to a customs area".