Strasbourg, 02/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - Italy, as a founding country, has "a long experience of keeping to the letter and spirit" of the European treaties, and plans to conduct its EU Council Presidency "in this constituent phase, by hanging firmly onto the lessons of the past in order to build the future", was the assurance given by the new President of the European Council, Silvio Berlusconi, who presented the programme of the Italian Presidency to the European Parliament on 2 July. The Italian Prime Minister's arrival in the House was met by around fifteen Greens deploying banners with the phrase "equal before the law" in several languages in order to protest against the recent law conferring immunity. The situation quickly calmed down after President Cox addressed the House, and Mr Berlusconi was able to pick up his speech again. His introduction was lyrical ("A great Europe needs great institutions", "Europe can cure itself of the 'to be or not to be' syndrome" and decide to be present with authority on the international scene; "Europe is very, very grand in the way it has been able to overcome crises in a concrete manner". He also (four times) used very overdone references to the "art of mediation".
I do not ignore the fact that, on the future Constitution, positions are still "very different", admitted Mr Berlusconi, who gave his assurance that he will do everything possible to reach convergence at the IGC and a "bold though not foolhardy agreement on the institutional architecture, qualified majority, the European judicial area and common foreign policy". However, he warned, the IGC should not launch into "complete revision" of the text on the table. The Intergovernmental Conference will take place "at political level, in order to prevent the impetus provided by the Convention from being bogged down" in technico-diplomatic talks, Mr Berlusconi confirmed. He announced that work would go fast so that the Constitution is signed between 1 May 2004 and the European elections of June 2004, to ensure that voters go to the urns in knowledge of the "lines that the future Union will take". Mr Berlusconi said he was pleased with the prospect of signing the Constitution of Rome, a sign of "historic continuity". Also, applauded by MEPs, he announced: "I shall ask the European Council to permanently involve the President of the Parliament in the work of the Heads of Government, and the Council of Ministers to involve the representatives of the European Parliament on a permanent basis".
In a speech lasting about half an hour, Mr Berlusconi mainly announced his intention to "lay the foundations for legislative action against discrimination" in order to provide the 38 million disabled people in Europe ("the more fragile, silent Europe") with a "hope for the future". He sketched out his other priorities:
(1) Economy: He mainly spoke of: - relaunching the main transport networks, pointing out that the Presidency discussed financial issues with the EIB (see p.16), as well as research and technology. It is necessary to reconcile the need for budgetary constraint with "more growth stimulation", he commented, applauded at this point also; - the adaptation of retirement schemes to the reality of ageing in the European population; - modernisation of the labour market and encouragement to the entrepreneurial spirit.
(2) Relations with candidate countries and neighbouring countries: he announced that, by December, there would be a road map for the road to be taken by Bulgaria and Romania toward accession, and active support to reforms in Turkey; - he dwelt somewhat on the Balkans, welcoming the strategy launched in Thessaloniki, and hoping that the blood spilled in the "last great European civil war" in the region would be the last "European blood spilled on European soil"; - he affirmed that "we must consolidate the relationship with Russia in a special way, through ever closer dialogue and concrete measures" in response to this country's resolve to belong to the "political, economic, social and cultural fabric of the West"; he insisted on Euro-Mediterranean dialogue and dialogue with the Islamic world, stressing that the development of the southern Mediterranean is "essential" for the balance and stability of the region and beyond, announcing the creation of a Foundation for dialogue between cultures, the creation during this term of office of a Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (see EUROPE of 1 July, p.12), and the transformation of the financial facility for the Mediterranean into a "real bank".
(3) Transatlantic relations. Mr Berlusconi repeated that there was no contradiction between "a strong European commitment and just as strong a trans-Atlantic solidarity". He warned that, if we want to give this relationship "depth and dynamism", and if we want it to be "sound and balanced", then this requires a firm European commitment with regards defence, "consistent with the NATO framework". Among the "concrete domains" in which this trans-Atlantic cooperation could develop - the fight against terrorism, support to democracy, the reconstruction of Iraq, and of course the Middle East Peace Process - he recalled that Italy "has put Sicily forward" (Ed.: Erice) as a place to host a peace conference.
(4) Fight against organised crossborder crime and illegal immigration. This requires "appropriate resources", he admitted, insisting in particular on cooperation with the countries of origin and transit, especially the Balkans and the Mediterranean, and ensuring that this fight goes hand in hand with "the determination of legal immigrants to integrate".
After having briefly evoked relations with Latin America and Africa, Silvio Berlusconi concluded, again waxing lyrical, that: "Today's Europe is no longer that kite without substance that could be carried on the wind currents of the time of the Treaty of Rome, but what I aspire to is for us to give back to this giant some of its original buoyancy and momentum".
Romano Prodi: It should be possible to review the Constitution by strengthened majority
"We must not underestimate the irruption of the word 'Constitution' in our lives", Romano Prodi exclaimed for his part, recalling that, in September this year, the Commission will be presenting its opinion on convening the IGC. He confirmed "we shall put back on the table those key issues that have not been resolved" by the Convention, and above all greater extension of qualified majority, and especially the method for reviewing the Constitution. It must be possible to revise the Constitution by strengthened majority, urged the President of the European Commission, as "nothing can be reformed by unanimity". The Commission has the political determination and "also the enthusiasm to insist with force and up to the very end" on such improvements, he insisted.
Romano Prodi also spoke of the trans-Atlantic relationship, saying that the summit of 25 June in Washington (one of the "most intense of recent years") demonstrated the "firm resolve to re-create a climate of collaboration and solidarity", which does not prevent differences being expressed on the way some matters are seen. He also cited trade issues saying that, here, Europe speaks with a single voice as it has the power to do so, whereas this is something it cannot do when power is "fragmented".
We find ourselves in a "real process of European re-foundation, not only from the institutional point of view, but also from the political and economic standpoint", Mr Prodi concluded. He said that "Europe is the only road possible. Without it, our homelands would be marginalised". Recalling "great" Italian politicians like Altiero Spinelli and Emilio Colombo, the President of the European Commission said he could count on a Presidency that would be following the same road without hesitation.
Political groups support Presidency, but watchfully
If the Italian Presidency is successful, it will be a success for Europe as a whole. All political groups agree on this, although there are some slight differences as to their judgement on this programme and, above all, on the way the Presidency will be conducted. The EPP/ED Group, Hans-Gert Pöttering said, will accompany the work over the next six months in a critical, but also objective and just manner. He insisted on the fact that a strong Union is not in contradiction with one's attachment to one's own nation. Agreeing on the launching of key infrastructure projects, the CDU member makes achieving such projects conditional upon respect of stability. However, the main issue of concern for the Italian Presidency is obviously to complete the work of the Convention. This was recalled to mind by nearly all MEPs. Enrique Baron, President of the Socialist Group, went on by saying they will judge without sectarianism on the basis of results. He hoped that Italy would put a "bella figura" forward. Today, Mr Baron commented, you held a speech "Ciampi fashion" (except that when Ciampi speaks they feel reassured whereas, when Berlusconi speaks, for example on accession by Russia or Israel to the Union, they feel worried). The President of the Liberal Group, Graham Watson, warned that Italy is succeeding an excellent Greek Presidency and that it is hoped it will respect the dignity of the office and honour Italy's traditional European vocation. The British Liberal Democrat welcomed the Keynsian orientation of Silvio Berlusconi's economic policy, but recalls that spending must be compatible with the Stability Pact. We have great feeling for Italy, for its creativity, for its ability to rally around major social themes, but we do not find this "beautiful and rebel" Italy in the guidelines of the leading team in Rome, notes Francis Wurtz, President of the United Left/Nordic Left group. Mr Wurtz, who is highly critical of the "barbarous vociferation" of a member of the government (Umberto Bossi) on immigration and asylum, said yes to the infrastructure projects if necessary, but not to projects of a Pharaonic nature. Monica Frassoni, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group, asks: should one spend EUR 6 billion for a bridge linking Messina to the mainland, so that travellers can save half an hour if, at the same time, not all Sicilians have drinking water? Ms Frassoni expressed concern about the Berlusconi government's policy on the environment and asks him to put his good relations with President Bush to the advantage of the Union. In the same way, could he not use his friendship with Putin to raise the question of Chechnya and to convince him to ratify the Kyoto Protocol? Speaking for the Union for a Europe of Nations Group, Cristiana Muscardini (Alleanza Nazionale) supported the Presidency programme, insisting on the social dimension, the need to give the right to live in dignity to all, effective fight against the traffic of human beings and paedophilia, as well as an effort to guarantee that the Internet can be used without risk, mainly by the young. Speaking for the Group of a Europe of Democracies and Diversities, Jens-Peter Bonde defends citizens' rights as usual. He states they must be clearly informed of the content of the future Constitution.
The elected members of Forza Italia are generally in syntonia with their president, notably Guido Podestà, Renato Brunetta, Francesco Fiori (who insists in favour of a more consistent effort for solidarity and social cohesion). Some again request that the Constitution contain an explicit reference to the Judeo-Christian roots of the Union, like Antonio Tajani and Mario Mauro, giving a speech which (as he himself says) is "obtuse but clear, in the God, fatherland and family style". Jas Gavronski, former spokesman for the fist Berlusconi government, defended Silvio Berlusconi against the criticism, mainly concerning the "conflict of interests, that the 'cavaliere' is seeking to resolve", he said.
Many MEPs, especially Italian, express concern
After the wishes came the criticism, some expressed in the calm and without verbal extravagance. Transatlantic relations as Mr Berlusconi sees them corresponds neither to the choice of Europeans nor to that of the institutions, French sovereignist William Abitbol protested. He recalled the positions taken by Chris Patten "who is surely not a dangerous leftist". We do not want to become a subsidiary of the American Empire, he said. Austrian Social Democrat Hannes Swoboda said specific interests should not take precedence over general interest, and mainly wondered about the networks: Would the Presidency try to have the Union finance projects for which Italian funding cannot be found?
Among the Italians present, Pasqalina Napoletano (DS) regrets the "coldness" of the programme on the area of justice and freedom and considers that public investment should not be limited to the main networks, but should also cover training, research, and the environment. Radical Marco Pannella invites the Presidency to have the moratorium on the death penalty included on the agenda of the UN General Assembly (and Mr Berlusconi replied that he would do so). Francesco Rutelli (I Democratici) explains that it is Europe that calls for a solution to the problem of the conflict of interests and of media concentration, and not just the Italian opposition. Fausto Bertinotti (Rifondazione comunista) admits: our aversion to this government's policy is radical. He went on to give its attitude on immigration, the primacy of the United States and the role of the market. Former Judge Antonio Di Pietro (Italia dei valori) spoke of his "embarrassment" given the sarcasm against his country's government, and his fear that the "virus" of the conflict of interests would contaminate Europe as a whole. Fortunately, however, there are institutions, and those who sit in them are not only the friends of Mr Berlusconi. It is hard for an Italian to read the "fierce" judgements on Silvio Berlusconi, Armando Cossutta (Partito del comunismo italiano) admits, as such criticism is true. Berlusconi is, he states bitterly, the worst right wing in Europe. He said he hoped they would at least manage to keep the extent of the damage he does down. It is thanks to Nicole Fontaine that we today hear Mr Berlusconi present the programme of the Italian Presidency, commented Martin Schulz (SPD), as she allowed the Spanish justice to drag its feet in lifting his immunity (ED.: when she was EP President).
IGC: By mid-October, Presidency will have contacts with the Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers - As Prime Minister, Berlusconi is till in favour of Russia and Israel joining EU
In his responses, Mr Berlusconi, standing next to a severe-looking Gianfranco Fini, pointed out that the Presidency will "by around 15 October", the date when the IGC opens, have contacts with the Heads of State and Government to ensure opening of an Intergovernmental Conference "already with the hypotheses of solutions allowing everyone to agree". Furthermore, he confirmed that the "vision of the Italian Council Presidency" continues to be that the "great Europe of the future should also include" Russia, Israel, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. He added that, in his capacity as President of the European Council, he must take account of the "opinion that prevails" (i.e. rejection of such enlargement).
Silvio Berlusconi (though saying it was irony) insults Martin Schulz
Mr Berlusconi's tone changed when he began to respond to criticism. With a tighter and tighter smile, first of all causing some incredulous hilarity among the benches, he attacked those who give a "caricature" picture of Italy, advising them to go and see Italy's sun, the beauty, the 100,000 monuments and churches, Italy's 2,500 archaeological sites, its 40,000 "historic" houses, instead of basing their judgement on the "extreme left wing papers". On the subject of conflict of interest, he went on: "you are missing Italy's sunshine: you have never, never put on one of my televisions … You are tourists of democracy!" But the worse was to come. Shouting at Martin Schulz, Silvio Berlusconi said: "a film is being made in Italy about the Second World War concentration camps, and I shall recommend Mr Schulz for the role of leader". Hilarity at this point came to an end. Mr Baron asked Mr Berlusconi to retract his remarks, and Mr Schulz soberly observed that it was hard to accept that any President of the European Council should react to criticism in such terms. His colleagues got to their feet, applauding him as a sign of solidarity. Mr Berlusconi yelled out, gesticulating, that he would not withdraw his words. He reproached Mr Schulz for having offended him "by gesticulating". "I spoke with irony, but he, he spoke nastily", he complained. President Cox, obviously overwhelmed, regretted the "offence made of our respected colleague" and asked, with regret, that the expression be included on the minutes.
Mr Prodi: Commission to continue to play its role of guarantor
Romano Prodi, sombre-faced, rose to respond on the substance, and was applauded by MEPs even before taking the floor. Noting that the debate had shown the size of the task to be accomplished and "the difficulties" of this term, he assured that the Commission would continue to guarantee continuity, encouraging the Italian Presidency to "go in the right direction". He mainly insisted on sustainable development, exclaiming: "we cannot, in this historic phase, throw social dialogue in the sea". He reaffirmed the need to combat the "new slave traders" once more warning: "we must not control migrant flows with violence".
Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that nearly all the questions during the brief press conference that followed were on the remarks concerning Mr Schulz. Mr Berlusconi did not budge an inch, saying it was simply an ironic joke and that he would not withdraw it. Mr Schulz would be perfect for the role, he persisted before an incredulous audience, "I shall suggest him for the casting".