Brussels, 06/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - On 5 February, Ambassador Dante Martinelli, the head of the Swiss mission to the EU, send President Romano Prodi the joint Declaration signed on 24 October 2003 in Lausanne by the Presidents of the Swiss Confederation, of the Canton of Vaud, of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe and the European Commission, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Foundation, which is chaired by Professor Henri Rieben. According to a press release, President Prodi stressed the great importance the European institutions attach to the Foundation's role, as an archive depository for "he who is known as the inspiration for the European Union and the father of the Community method".
Ambassador Martinelli was accompanied by MEP Jacques Poos (PES, Luxembourg), who expressed his wish for Professor Rieben to come and exhibit the Foundation's work before the two parliamentary committees with the greatest interest- budget and culture. This, however, will not be possible until next autumn, and so it will be a new European Parliament.