Brussels, 17/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - “Europe has changed a lot in nine years,” said Belgian Prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, giving the press his reflections on the development of Europe. Questioned on Friday after the Spring European Summit, Verhofstadt (for whom, after nine years, this was the last Summit since he will pass the premiership to Flemish Christian Democrat Yves Leterme on Thursday 20 March) highlighted four points on which he had made a significant contribution to European integration. Firstly, the holding of European summits in Brussels after the Treaty of Nice came into force. Then, enlargement of the European Union to 27, “which has brought a new dynamic to the Council”. Thirdly, progress in foreign and defence policies. And finally, institutional debate. “The reform of the institutions began with the Declaration of Laeken in 2001, continued with the Convention, the Constitutional Treaty and the on-going ratification of the new Lisbon Treaty. This will allow the EU to operate more effectively and more democratically,” Verhofstadt said, announcing that the Belgian House of Representatives would approve the treaty this week (the Senate has already done so, as he pointed out), which means that the “new treaty will be ratified before the summer holiday,” he added.
Asked if he was going to “give his successor any advice” on European issues, Verhofstadt replied, “I'm not opening a consultancy”. When asked if he was going to put himself forward for one of the posts at the head of the European institutions, he replied, “No, I am not a candidate”. (G.B.)