Brussels, 07/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - In an interview with France's Le Monde newspaper, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, mentioned the criticisms of the Commission by French President Jacques Chirac in connection with the Hewlett Packard case (see yesterday's Europe, p.13), noting that the European Commission had always defended Europe's interests and had acted within its powers. Barroso said he thought there was an ethical duty of European responsibility whereby the Commission had to explain to citizens what everyone can do. He urged politicians to respect this responsibility, to stop cutting the wood from under their feet and stop attacking the European institutions, because Europe is more vital than ever these days. On the European Constitution, Jose Manuel Barroso said that he regretted the fact Europe would not have a Constitution in the next two or three years, but this didn't prevent the EU from fully exercising all its powers. Tony Blair's special summit at Hampton Court Palace on 27-28 October would provide an opportunity for a discussion about the European social model without horse-trading between the various versions on offer. Such competition would be sterile and counter-productive, he warned. He added that it was vital to reach agreement on the Financial Perspectives for 2007-2013 as soon as possible, preferably before the end of the year, but it was up the British Presidency that would be judged on that count. Barroso said Tony Blair would have to devote all his energy to striking agreement before the end of the year since a second failure would be a very negative signal for confidence in Europe. On Turkey, Barroso said that opening negotiations and actual accession were two different things. Governments had made the right decision, he said, and it was now up to Turkey to prove that it really will be able to meet the criteria.