Brussels, 22/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - Given the current serious political crisis, one must avoid “blind action” but also paralysis, as well as accusations back and forth, Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the EPP-ED Group at the European Parliament, warned when speaking to the press on Wednesday. The CDU elected member rejected the French idea of creating a “union between France and Germany” as well as that on building an “Anglo-German axis”, if the CDU-CSU wins the Bundestag elections in September. He stressed that good bilateral relations between the States, between large and small States, are needed but above all deplored the current disunion within the Benelux. “People have the feeling that things are moving too fast” in Europe, he said, moreover, noting: “The concept of Constitution was perhaps too ambitious”. One should perhaps think of another definition, that of “fundamental treaty” for example.
What should be done now? Mr Pöttering believes that: - the pause for reflection on the Constitution should allow the most “innovative” parts I and II to become a legal and political reality; - President Borrell and Rapporteur Böge are expected to conduct “interinstitutional dialogue” on financial perspectives. With the Böge report, the Parliament has provided “major guidelines”, Mr Pöttering recalls, citing above all the statement of fact that the British rebate is now obsolete and that Common Agricultural Policy does serve a purpose even though it has still to be reformed. In the context of the proposals by the Luxembourg Presidency, Mr Pöttering above all criticised the proposed cuts in research policy; - in the enlargement process, “pacta sunt servanda”, but this is also true for the candidate countries and not just for the EU. Thus, if Turkey wants to negotiate with the EU, it must recognise Cyprus, one of the countries that will be around the negotiating table. Furthermore, Mr Pöttering calls for the option of “privileged partnership” to appear in the negotiating brief with Ankara; - the Commission should make an earnest review of all the proposals of legislation that are in the pipeline, to respond to criticism on the bureaucratic excesses of “Brussels” (Commissioner Verheugen spoke of 600 texts, Mr Pöttering said). The president of the EPP-ED Group welcomed the fact that the Conference of Presidents of political groups at the EP had approved, on Tuesday evening, its proposal that President Borrel should invite Presidents Barroso and Blair to a meeting of heads of political groups to examine how to ensure that European legislation makes an effective contribution to the competitiveness situation of the EU.