Brussels, 16/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a further letter to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Romano Prodi reaffirmed, on 16 May, that he "continues to believe that, for now, the debate [between himself and the Chairman of the European Convention on the European institutions] can only be held within the Convention". VGE had proposed, for his part, that such a debate should be held in Stuttgart, and not in Brussels as the Commission President had suggested (see EUROPE of 15 May, p.7). In his letter, Mr Prodi says: "Like you, I consider it useful to put across the message of a close and attentive Europe everywhere where our citizens live, work and discuss their common future. I have put this principle into practice ever since the beginning of my mandate by taking debates to dozens of European towns (…). Nonetheless, I believe there is time for the public debate, which by essence is simplifying and polarising. And also a time for reflection and patient research for consensual, innovative and balanced solutions. This is when one must recognise the primacy of places of democracy. The Convention (…), in my view, is the best place for hosting a debate between us, a debate no doubt showing our differences on certain points, but also the fact that there is no caricature, and above all with the vision that we share regarding the categorical imperative of a strong Europe". (See below).