Brussels, 13/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The UMP is to ask its National Secretary in charge of discussions on the future of Europe, Pierre Lequiller (also President of the Delegation for European Affairs at the National Assembly), to attempt to persuade Poland to overcome its reservations on the European Constitution, according to the AFP. Pierre Lequiller is scheduled to visit Warsaw for this purpose on 22 April for an interview with Prime Minister Leszek Miller. Mr Lequiller, a very active member of the European Convention chaired by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, indicated that he had already met Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Polish Foreign Affairs Minster, who "assured him that we needed to find a compromise, because Poland cannot remain isolated" (which is the case since the softening of Spain's attitude, Poland's main ally on this issue, following the victory of the Socialists). According to the AFP, Mr Lequiller commented that Poland is "the only country still unyielding over the Constitution". He hoped that the EU could manage to finalise a Constitution "as soon as possible, why not before the elections" in June.
(Note that Prime Minister Miller announced his intention to step down on 2 May: see EUROPE 3 March, p.4).