Brussels, 14/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming José Manuel Barroso, Jens-Peter Bonde, outgoing President of the EDD Group, explained he was waiting to see whether “he could win any votes from the group after the hearing”. Clashes over ideas did not prevent Mr Barroso from explaining that, despite their disagreement over the European project, “it is the rule of democracy that prevails and I shall respect your views”. He certified to them that on an issue such as transparency they will even be able to work “together while striking a balance”.
At the beginning of the meeting, the atmosphere could seem hostile to the president-designate of the future Commission. Reacting to the half-hour delay of the former Portuguese Prime Minister, some MEPs expressed indignation about the turn this first meeting was taking and criticized what could be “a Mediterranean approach to things”. At any rate, they said, it was a “bad beginning”. Further to this setback, MEPs approved the new name of their group meeting under the banner Independence/Democracy (IND/DEM), which reflects the subdivision of their formation into two pillars that will endeavour to live together: - that whose representatives quite simply want withdrawal from the EU and that which calls for greater transparency and reforms within the EU. MEPs naturally awaited Mr Barroso's arrival with the question of transparency, stating what they consider to be three major concerns: a) Confirming the transmission of working documents and Commission meetings, Mr Barroso immediately confirmed the intention to “follow the line of the Prodi Commission”. Mr Bonde had initially recognized that the Commission had made progress over the last five years by forwarding minutes of Commission meetings. On the other hand, Mr Barroso simply said: “I shall examine the advantages and the disadvantages of the current situation on the subject of transmitting staff papers for which I cannot formally commit myself”. b) As far as transparency of budgetary control is concerned, he recalled the strict position that he has followed as Prime Minter of Portugal on the question of public deficit and assured that he wished to “cooperate equitably with all the European institutions including the European Parliament”. c) Finally, on the subject of the responsibility of officials and Commissioners, he guaranteed that he will insist with members of his Commission on their political responsibility and that he will not hesitate to call for resignation should ethical obligations not be fulfilled. Mr Barroso also announced that the Commission will include a Commissioner who will above all handle audit and control.
Constitution: As it is up to Member States to state their views on what approach should now be followed, Mr Barroso said he had not reflected on “how the Commission can be involved in the campaign or if there would be financing”. Bent Hindrup Andersen had asked him about neutrality from the Commission in the ratification campaign and had, in the case of financing, requested that an equivalent sum be paid not only to those who are in favour of ratification but also to those who do not support it.
British withdrawal: Taking it for granted that the United Kingdom will pull out of the European Union, UKIP representative Nigel Farage called for details on his country's future relations with the EU and the possibility of negotiating a free trade agreement. “I do not like hypothetical questions, reality being sufficiently problematical. I can answer concrete questions: EU membership is voluntary not compulsory, the choice of pulling out is that of the States and must be respected, even if at the present time more States want to integrate the EU than leave it”, Mr Barroso retorted.
European defence: “I support a European Security and Defence Identity, as it is possible to do better together with the same amounts than we would separately”, Mr Barroso said, insisting on the role of NATO, before adding that “there is no contradiction between being European and Atlantist” and “we must be the United States counterpart, not its counter-weight”, Mr Barroso said in answer to a question.
Turkey: Answering the leader of the Popular Orthodox Movement, Georges Karatzaferis, who expressed concern about the pressure being exerted by States on the report that the Commission is to issue on opening EU membership talks with Turkey, he said that “before its publication, no position is possible, and, even if some Heads of State show a preference one way or the other, the Commission will seek to guarantee objectivity”.
After the meeting, Mr Bonde reminded candidate Barroso that he would not have his support if he did not undertake to forward the complete list to all working groups, which, he believes, carry out 85% of the legislative work.