Strasbourg, 09/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - If François Bayrou's UDF decides to form an alliance with the Prodi list and join the Liberals, "it will have credibility problems as it will be joining a group that is in favour of Turkey's accession to the EU, while the UDF has taken a stance against", EPP-ED Group President Hans-Gert Pöttering believes (see EUROPE of 5 March, p.4). "I shall do what is necessary to keep our friends at the UDF but they do what they want", he told the press in Strasbourg on Tuesday. He also slammed in passing President Prod's involvement in the campaign for European elections in Italy, saying he "would do better to devote himself to accomplishing his mandate until his term of office comes to an end on 1 November".
Hans-Gert Pöttering swept away the criticism of those who accuse the EPP of becoming euro-sceptical under the impetus created by British Conservatives. Stressing that the EPP wants to be considered the party of "European unification", he assured that it "claims the privilege of being a centre party" in favour of the Constitution and the Community method. "I am convinced that, with the change in the statutes, the EPP will remain along this line", he said. He had "no concerns" about the risk of division within this group.