Porto Carra, 22/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - During the final press conference, the President of the European Council, Costas Simitis, welcomed the results obtained at the meeting in Thessaloniki and the first steps of the draft Constitution, which begins "a new page in European history". After pointing out that the European council had "fixed the following steps and a calendar for finalising the work" (on the aspects linked to the Constitution, see EUROPE 21 June pp 3 and 4), the Greek Prime Minister welcomed "the series of decisions adopted" by the European Council on immigration and asylum. Before mentioning the strengthening of the struggle against illegal immigration, he stated that, "We have sufficient financial resources and we are going to be able to enhance Cooperation with third countries so that they respect the terms of the agreement that we're going to conclude with them". With regard to the EU strategy on security, Mr Simitis noted that , "we all agree that Javier Solana continues work and we present a final report in December" (EUROPE will publish the document of Javier Solana, "A more secure Europe in a better world"). he also underlined that the European Council had approved the BEPG, the guidelines for employment and that the Commission and the EIB had been invited to support investment in the European transport networks (TEN).
The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, did not want to enter into details of the conclusions of the European Council, which he, however, described as "entirely and completely successful". He highlighted the need to mobilise more investment for TEN and research. "If we do nothing, we'll nee 20-30 years to finalise TEN", he warned.
High Representative, Javier Solana, was, "very happy with the warm welcome", reserved for Heads of State and governments for his strategy document. "We will continue working to strengthen this document for the end of the Italian Presidency". He also budged the declaration on the Middle East as "good". This was adopted by the European Council, because it is supporting the Prime Minister and the Palestinian government, as well as exercising additional pressure on Hamas, in order to reach a cease-fire.
Mr Berlusconi confirms date of 15 October for opening of IGC
The President of the Italian Council, Silvio Berlusconi described the work of the European Convention as excellent and confirmed the date of 15 October fir the launch of the IGC. According to Berlusconi, the work would be concluded in December to allow for the signing of the "second treaty of Rome" the following year. Mr Berlusconi considered that the European Council had fully succeeded on the immigration dossier and highlighted to the press that in the future, countries would not be alone in facing this problem. He also insisted on the need to invest in a Trans-national infrastructure programme, as well as in new military technology and research. The future President of the European Council also indicated that he was ready to go to Finland to discuss the setting up of the European Agency for Food Safety.
Germany completely satisfied with draft Constitution, affirms Mr Schröder
Chancellor Gerhard Schröder repeated that Germany was "completely satisfied" with the draft Constitution elaborated by the Convention and was confident that they would find solutions for the countries that were only 95% satisfied (allusion to a comment by Mr Schüssel). Mentioning Mr Vehofstadt's presentation at the Summit of the Four on defence, he noted that there were not even any controversial grey areas at the European Council. Indicating that he had supported the candidacy of Jean-Claude Trichet for the President of the European Central Bank, he added, "If we hadn't taken a decision today, I would have been afraid of irritation on the stock markets".
Mt Schüssel wants codecision for Parliament concerning Euratom treaty
Chancellor Wolgang Schüssel affirmed to the press that the draft Constitutional treaty was a "good starting point", but that it should still be improved on some points. Notably, he cited the rotation system for the Presidency of the Council and voting rights for all Commissioners. Mr Schüssel appealed for the integration of the Euratom treaty into the future Constitutional treaty, with codecison for the European Parliament .
Asked about the possible arrangement for a referendum in Austria, he explained that it was not necessary but that Austria would take part in a referendum if it were organised in all Member States.
Mr Chirac asks each country to "make an effort" to find solutions at the IGC
- Call on Commissioner Fischler to be more flexible on CAP
President Jacques Chirac, the French President believed that, "the Convention had obtained a proposal that appeared to be the best solution, even if everyone hasn't got exactly what they wanted". He also stated that, "I know that there are worries in Spain and Poland but no-one has been able to sort out all the problems in the Convention proposal". He then added, "The Inter Governmental Conference will bring it up again but it is necessary to understand that everyone has to make an effort if we want to get a result". France was worried about certain aspects, Mr Chirac explained: the need to stick to the Agreement of Nice on cultural and audio visual services in the trade agreements, defence of the services of general interest, social issues, agriculture and respect for market organisations. Organisation had to respond instantly to developments on the markets, which would cut out lengthy procedures, he asserted. He is also going to appeal for members in the Euro-zone to be able to adopt decisions without being blocked by a country that was not part of the zone. He indicated that he is "a priori very open" to a referendum for ratifying the Constitution. Nevertheless, "he is waiting, "to see how things turn out" and continue political discussion on the subject in France. With regard to the suspension till next Wednesday of discussions on CAP reform, Jacques Chirac gave assurances that, "France is ready to discuss, but the Commission proposals, or rather those of Commissioner Fischler, are not acceptable and are unacceptable to France". To obtain a solution, it is necessary for "everyone to do something, including the Commissioner", Mr Chirac said. The President of the European Council, Costas Simitis did not allow the subject to be on the Summit agenda.
Mr Blair insists on right of sovereignty of his country on taxation, CFSP and immigration
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister was happy to have imposed some "red lines" and not having crossed them during discussion on the draft of the EU Constitution. "There is no question that the United Kingdom will give up it is independent and sovereign right to determine its fiscal policy, its foreign policy, defence policy and its own borders" during the work of the IGC, he declared. The British Foreign Affairs Minister, Jack Straw, added that the Convention draft constituted "a good basis" for discussions at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). He also exclaimed that "The federal agenda was no longer there", adding, "the most disappointed are the federalists in Europe". He was also satisfied with the Council conclusions on the "asylum and immigration dossier" as they note that "a number of Member States are willing to go further on pilot projects".
United Kingdom will take into account fact that pilot projects
are a bad idea, affirms Mr Persson
Swedish Prime Minister, Göran Persson welcomed the fact that the EU would no longer be used to fund pilot projects envisaged by the United Kingdom for refugees. He considered that once confronted with the setting up of such projects, the United Kingdom would realised that it would not work. Mr Persson was also pleased with the candidacy of Jean-Claude Trichet for the post of President of the European Central Bank. He expressed doubts about the Italian idea to increase investment for developing infrastructure projects and European research and whether by doing this European growth could be stimulated.
Mr Rasmussen supports pilot projects
Opposing his Swedish counterpart, the Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, pointed out that he had always supported the United Kingdom on pilot projects.
He said that he thought they would see more of them and alluded to a multiplication of these kinds of initiatives, which according to him, were fully compatible with European policy on immigration and asylum.
Mr Aznar insists on a reference to Christianity
Spanish Prime Minister, José Maria Aznar criticised the fact that the draft from the Convention did not make any explicit reference to Christianity in the preamble of the Constitution. "It is difficult to understand what Europe is without any historic reference to Christianity", he declared, outlining that, "it isn't a religious, moral issue or one of principle but of history". He gave assurances that countries like Spain, would demand that the system of voting, decided on at Nice were "many" and should be retained. Mr Aznar insisted that the Intergovernmental Conference must "improve" the Convention's proposals on the institutions. Mr Aznar also welcomed the declaration of the Council of Europe condemning "the violation of civil rights and fundamental freedoms" in Cuba. He stressed that Heads of State and governments "deplore" the behaviour of the Cuban authorities with regard to the EU and its Member States.
Mr Durao Barroso seeks clarification on role of President of European Council
Portuguese Prime Minister, José Manuel Durão Barroso, thought that the Convention draft was "a good basis for work", as it clarified "that what was unclear, simplified what was confused and united that which was disparate". He recognised that "they cannot change much in the compromise obtained by the Convention" and highlighted the fact that Portugal did have "demands for clarification" on the role of the President of the European Council, the rotational system for the Presidencies of the Councils of Ministers. He also appealed, together with, Spain, Ireland and Poland for the introduction of a reference to the Christian heritage in the preamble of the Constitution. "We are defending the principle of the secular State and the secular European Union" bur for "reasons of intellectual strength…if we mention the rationalist and humanist tradition, there must also be a mention of the Christian cultural heritage", explained the Portuguese Prime Minister. He welcomed the conclusions of the Summit mentioning the situation in East Timor. He noted that Timor was not, "in the first line of international priorities but it is positive that the European Union had not forgotten the issue".
Mr Ahern proposes solution for signing next treaty
Ireland proposed a compromise for meeting the expectations of Italy, which wanted the treaty to be solemnly signed in Rome: the treaty will be first singed in the Member State where the IGC is finished, which is likely to be Ireland, but it will then be signed in each capital city, finally ending in Rome. The Italian government will then be responsible for the acts of the treaty. The Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, also thought that the Convention had reached a "remarkable result in a clear and readable style, which makes the European Union more democratic and accessible". Its results constitute a "good basis" for the Intergovernmental Conference and Ireland did not have many worries about it, he explained. It would, however, like to clarify certain points on the application of the majority voting system in the area of justice and to assure that the right of veto in the areas of taxation was guaranteed, Mr Ahern explained.
Mr Miller takes tougher tone in view of IGC
Polish Prime Minister, Leszek Miller said that he was ready to put forward his position in at strong way "In Copenhagen, we learned the lesson that it was worth negotiating in a tough way and that's what we're going to do at the IGC", he declared. Poland wants some changes involving definition of qualified majority voting, common security and defence policy, institutional issues and the inclusion of a reference to Christianity in the preamble. He said that nothing justified changing the system for vote sharing, as defined at Nice, which reflected balance between the small, medium and large countries. Foreign Affairs Minister, Wlodemierz Cimoszewicz criticised changes in balance, proposed by the Convention did not reflect democratic changes. He averred that if a system of vote sharing according to the number of inhabitants was envisaged by the United Nations Security Council, only one permanent member which was above one billion inhabitants would be happy and the others would protest. Leszek Miller insisted that for developing the CFSP, they would first need to strengthen military capability in Europe in a way that complemented NATO.
Mr Medgyessy seeks integration of minority rights in treaty
Hungarian Prime Minister, Péter Medgyessy insisted on collective minority rights being included in the constitutional treaty. He was not opposed to the creation of a full-time President of the European Council but did appeal for a strong President of the European Commission and opposed the creation of a structure in parallel to the Commission. In a mention to the Summit debate on border control "cost sharing", the Foreign Affairs Minister, Lazlo Kovacs, hoped for the next financial perspectives to allow for financial aid to countries that had to control the EU's external borders. he indicated that Hungary was not opposed to a kind of Communitarisation of border management within the Schengen system.
Mr Parts has doubts about common management of borders
Asked about immigration issues, the Estonian Prime Minister, Juhan Parts, appealed for system for sharing costs and experiences on border control. He was, however, sceptical about the idea of setting up a European border guard and common management of the borders. He is "satisfied" that the work of the Convention serves a "basis" for negotiations for the Intergovernmental Conference but wanted further clarification on the rotational system for heading the Councils of Ministers.
Mr Brazaukas wants financial aid for managing borders
Lithuanian President, Rolandas Paksas, said that Lithuania would remain vigilant at the IGC with regard to the rotational system of Presidencies for the Councils of Ministers. In the context of immigration, the Lithuanian Prime Minister, Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas, pointed out that financial aid would be welcome for when Lithuania was due to manage its big external EU border, following integration into Schengen. He considered that part of the EUR 136 million envelope, planned in the accession treaty for integration of the Schengen acquis in Lithuania could be used for managing borders and dealing with illegal immigration. Lithuania has also proposed setting up a training centre on asylum and immigration.
Mr Erdogan welcome observer status for Turkey at IGC
Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyyip Erdogan informed the press that, "what was important for us was obtaining the observer status at the IGC". Turkey is satisfied with the results of the European Convention., noted those close to Mr Erdogan, who also pointed out the absence to religion in the preamble of the Constitution, which confirmed that the EU was "a Union of values and not a Christian club". At dinner, Mr Erdogan was at the same table as Messrs Simitis, Chirac, Schröder and Berlusconi. The former said that they had all been surprised a the progress of reform in Turkey and the adoption, on Friday, by the Great National Assembly, of the sixth package on religious minority rights, freedom of expression and use of other languages other than Turkish in the audio-visual domain. He pointed out that a seventh package was expected to be adopted in August, indicated that the Fifteen recognised the positive developments in Turkey. Mr Erdogan acknowledged that, "all the other countries had insisted on the effective implementation of the reforms". He also noted that pressure was less than at Copenhagen in connection with the Cypriot issue, which should find a "solution on the basis of the Kofi Annan plan". (For comments by Guy Verhofstadt, Jean-Claud Juncker and Jan Peter Balkenende, see EUROPE 21 June p 4).