Press Release

15/06/2000: Hans-Gert Poettering calls for substantial progress on the IGC and EU enlargement at the Feira European Council

(translation from the German original)

The European Council in Feira will be an important Summit if the work which has to be done there is completed successfully. Europe is built up on everyday work and the decisions which will be made in Feira may be essential to the future of the European Union. It has the potential to be a significant European Council meeting.

We in the EPP-ED Group have two basic aims. Firstly, the Intergovernmental Conference will be finalised in the autumn of this year, not because we simply want it finalised but because we need a comprehensive result. Secondly, over the past two decades we have had major changes in Europe, the people of Europe are expecting us to stand up for our values. We must fulfil our commitments and duties. I would like you President to give a signal in Feira that you will not stop the dynamism of this progress. You must not give the impression that the people of Eastern Europe are not welcome. You must do everything in your power to ensure that this signal is sent out to the people of Eastern Europe; they are welcome here.

I support the proposals to widen the agenda for the IGC but you must be flexible, you must not just make a list, you must find a formula to make it possible to add subjects over the next few months.

Commissioner Barnier, whose comments I welcome, referred to Qualified Majority voting. This is at the very basis of the IGC and will require a parallel extension of co-decision. I also welcome the proposal to strengthened co-operation being written down in Treaty but that should not be used as an alibi for failure to extend QMV. We need both strengthened co-operation and increased use of QMV.

The Treaty will have to be reformed in its structure, perhaps all this cannot be done over the next six months but we must go along the path of creating a basic Treaty. The principles of subsidiary must be given greater emphasis. We want to be involved in saying what the European Union has to do, what the Member States have to do and what the regions have to do. Our support in the process will only be guaranteed if people know what areas and what decisions are carried out at what levels. That is why we need a clear delineation of responsibilities.

I support the wish to strengthen Security and Defence policy within the Framework of the Western European Union and not in contradiction to our North Atlantic commitments.

I would like to stress why we would need a flexible formula for the agenda of the IGC. Yesterday we debated the Statute for European Political Parties and if we want to extend Article 189 of the Treaties then a proposal has to be made. This subject must be discussed at the IGC and be incorporated in the new Treaty provisions.

In conclusion, the resolution before the House contains paragraph 8, which asks that an acceptable solution be found to the Austrian question. This subject lies like a shadow over the European Union and may well effect the referendum in Denmark, next September on the introduction of the EURO. The diplomatic measures of the fourteen Member States against Austria has reduced the enthusiasm in Denmark for the EURO. The Austrian decision is seen in Denmark as an interference in the Internal Affairs of smaller countries.

I speak to you, Mr.President of Council, in all sincerity and without any political party argument, if we do not solve this problem there will be major difficulties ahead of us. Please take this seriously and ensure that our opinion is taken into consideration.

We have confidence in the Commission, we could do with more confidence in the Council but if you take our opinions on board this will augur well for a successful Council meeting and a successful IGC.


For further information contact Katrin Ruhrmann on :+32.75.493357 or Robert Fitzhenry on: +32.75.493356.