Strasbourg, 22/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - The president of the Italian Council, the former president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, announced on Tuesday to the European Parliament in Strasbourg that during negotiations on the future treaty of the EU at the European Council in June, and during the inter-governmental conference (IGC) that will swiftly follow, Italy would be working vigorously to achieve a “high compromise” that safeguards a maximum from the draft Constitutional Treaty. On the other hand, Mr Prodi did explain that “if this compromise does not convince us, we will not accept it”. He believes that it could lead to the creation of an “avant-guard” consisting of the most ambitious member states that want to go forward with European construction. He informed MEPs that “when that moment comes, an avant-guard of countries could prove the best way of continuing on the road to a closer union, on the condition of always leaving the door open to those that want to join later”. Prodi said that he was convinced that an agreement with the EU27 was still possible and that “we have to make it all together”. But in the event of an ambitious agreement at unanimity proving impossible, they will have to decide on “how to proceed”. At the moment, the basic principle has to be that some of the reticent countries cannot, “curb too much, and for too much time, other members' aspirations. It is for this reason that Italy…today feels it has one more duty. That is to imagine, or begin to imagine, how to allow those countries which want to, to proceed effectively in building European unity”. Mr Prodi added: “I believe we do not necessarily have to proceed all together at the same speed…I understand that it is not always possible”. He explained that they should not act against any country but “on the contrary, maintain open doors, without excluding the others”.
Prodi did not examine what the Italian government's red lines should be in negotiations on the treaty but affirmed that “we cannot accept radical changes in the existing set of institutional reforms”. He explained: “We believe that the strengthening of foreign policy and common security by means of a European minister for foreign affairs, a stable presidency of the European Council, the extension of the vote to qualified majority and the change to the three pillar structure and legal personality of the Union are essential aspects that need preserving”. Strengthening the EU's institutions is indispensable if there is to be a “Europe of results” capable of meeting the challenges of globalisation both at an internal level (defence of the European social model, implementation of a genuine area of freedom, security and justice etc) as well as on an external level (fight against terrorism, climate change, energy etc). “Let me say, right now and sincerely, that I disagree with those opposing the need to achieve results, and the need to enhance European institutions. It is achieving more results that I have always wished for, and I have always worked for stronger and more effective common institutions”.
Mr Prodi stressed that the Constitutional Treaty is a “beautiful text” that responds efficiently to the demands of the time, and which will provide the EU with the appropriate means of meeting the challenges of globalisation. He did say, however: “Unfortunately, considering the progress achieved so far in the negotiations, I think we will have to change the 2004 text…doing this, we will lose something very important!” The head of the Italian government explained that they would lose a heritage of simplicity and visibility that would hinder citizens' understanding and therefore their support for the European project. The 18 countries that have already ratified the text, including Italy, believe that this would constitute an “enormous sacrifice, a very high price to pay”. Prodi said that they needed to look after the spirit of the text.
Mr Prodi insisted on respecting the calendar for the new treaty's entry into force. “In 2009, during the European elections, European voters will have to know what sort of Europe they are deciding on. What will the EP's role be? What will be its missions? Will there be a stable presidency of the Council, a European foreign affairs minister? How will the European Commission be made up? And so forth”. To this end, the IGC's mandate (which is expected to be adopted by the June European Council) should be “exact and selective”. Mr Prodi said that it should indicate some of the significant problems in the negotiations and above all, should indicate how they can be settled. He also warned that “with an open mandate, it will be difficult for the IGC to be completed at the end of 2007”.