02/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - At a meeting at the end of February, the European Publishers Council (EPC) 'strongly welcomed EU Justice, Freedom and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini's statement that the European Commission has neither the legal powers nor the political will to limit freedom of expression,' and was not planning a new European code of conduct for the media. In February, in an interview with UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph, Frattini urged the media to consider adopting a code of conduct to avoid further crises along the lines of the controversy surrounding the publication of caricatures of Mohammed. EPC President Pinto Balsemao said 'Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy and we are delighted and relieved to see the European Commission not considering any measures against journalists and publishers.' The European Commission is planning to organise a conference before the summer bringing together representatives of the media, governments and religious groups to consider how the media cover racism, xenophobia and terrorism (see EUROPE 9126).