Strasbourg, 20/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - During his brief press conference, Josep Borrell was mainly questioned about Strasbourg as the seat of the European Parliament. Speaking in French, he noted: It is written in the Treaty that Strasbourg is a "symbolic Franco-German meeting place; wars that tore Europe apart" and "is a good place for Europeans to gather at the seat of their Parliament".
On the subject of the agreement that allowed him to be elected with the support of the EPP-ED (and which provides Socialist support of the EPP-ED candidate during the second part of the legislature), Mr Borrell rejects criticism. It is not an "obscure agreement" but the kind of arrangement practised for a long time, he recalled in English. He went on to add: "I do not see why an agreement of Socialists with the Liberals would be a good thing, and a meeting with the EPP bad". Is there a link between his election and Socialist support for the president-designate of the Barroso Commission? No, there is not, Mr Borrell assured noting that, within his group "some (national) delegations" will vote for Mr Barroso, others will not.
The president of the Socialist Group at the EP, Martin Schulz, pointed out to the press on Tuesday that his group will determine its attitude regarding the approval of the designation of Jose Manuel Durao Barroso as president of the European Commission on Wednesday evening, after having heard him speak. He recognised the "great scepticism" caused by Mr Barroso among a large part of the Socialist Group while admitting that some MEPs will no doubt vote "for personal reasons". Mr Schulz denied (like Hans-Gert Pöttering) any link between the election of Josep Borrell and a Socialist yes in favour of José Manuel Barroso. Graham Watson, who was questioned by the press, admitted that Mr Barroso had made a favourable impression on the Liberal Group which, however, realised that "he did not wish to answer some questions". Once more, Mr Watson greatly insisted on the need for Mr Barroso not to allow himself to be dictated to by the large Member States on the choice of European Commissioners and the attribution of portfolios.