Brussels, 30/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The fact that a conclusion has been successfully negotiated to the "long and tormented constitutional affair" is a positive thing for Europeans in itself, said Pietro Calamia in the Lettera diplomatica n° 971 from the end of October (Circoli di Studi Diplomatici, Via degli Astalli 3/A, 00186 Roma). However, in another edition of the quarterly review to which he regularly contributes, the former Italian permanent representative to the EU admitted the concern of many pro-Europeans, including in Italy (where it has been expressed in particular by President Napolitano), at the lack of au "pro-European momentum" revealed, notably, by the abandonment in the future Lisbon Treaty of the article on the symbols of the Union. Among the elements which are positive for the future, ambassador Calamia particularly notes the prospects of reinforced powers for the European Parliament (nomination of the European Commission, consultation on the nomination of the high representative for the common foreign and security policy). Nonetheless, Mr Calamia stressed that the period from 2009 onwards will open "a new phase in European politics, the evolution of which is not yet entirely foreseeable". He cites the risk of a “potential rivalry” between the president of the European Council (elected for a two and a half year term), the president of the European Commission and the high representative, although he believes that these difficulties "will probably be resolved in practice, and with the application of common sense". Pietro Calamia points out the dangers which might be brought about by another of the innovations, the reduction in number of the European Commission from 2014 onwards - dangers which have so far barely attracted any attention from the majority of observers. The negative aspect of this reduction is the criterion of "fair rotation", Mr Calamia warns, noting that the population criterion, which is used to determine numbers of MEPs and votes in the Council, is to be abandoned when it comes to the composition of the European Commission. The absence of "any link to the people" of the Union, in combination with the "structural reinforcement of the Council" (with its permanent president) "raises some doubts about the future politico-institutional weight of the Commission, even when strengthened by the European Parliament's "vote of confidence", Pietro Calamia concludes, warning: "Less political weight for the Commission will only strengthen the national ambitions of the member states, with the temptation to revert to traditional outlines in political relations between states"; however, it is "easy to predict that, in a Union of 27 member states and more, this is a real risk". (M.G.)