02/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - Praiseworthy intent or sterile incantation? On Monday 30 June, Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister, said one must break with the “technocratic institutional routine” that only distances people from Europe. Criticising the meetings of the G8 where ministers meet at the other side of the world to endorse texts already approved, the French foreign minister also calls for an end to “this 'meetingitis', to this constant fidgeting” within the EU. “We must stop being so sure of ourselves and return to fundamentals (…) to explain that Europe can still serve a purpose”', Mr Kouchner dared to say during a press meeting in Paris for the launch of the French EU Council Presidency. (A.B./transl.jl)