Brussels, 24/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - Addressing the Economic and Social Council in Paris, under the chairmanship of Jacques Dermagne, the French foreign minister Michel Barnier stressed the central role of the forces represented by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and France's Economic and Social Council. Mr Barnier called for a “reflection on how civil dialogue can be given extra weight”. In her speech, EESC president Anne-Marie Sigmund stressed that civil society's efforts to mobilise over the Constitution, but also to bring the citizens closer to Europe in a broader sense, will not be a success unless “we manage to touch the emotions of the citizens”. Culture is a “decisive dimension to create a European identity”, added Ms Sigmund, who welcomed the words of President Barroso, who stated several times that “culture's time has come”.