PRESS RELEASE

European Foreign Minister must become vice-president of the Commission

The Intergroup European Constitution in the European Parliament debated the issue "Which foreign and defence policy for the EU?" on Wednesday in Strasbourg. Andrew DUFF, member of the Convention, criticised that the working group ´External Action’ in the Convention had fallen far short of the expectations and the necessities of a common policy in this area. The CFSP had to be moved to the community method and decisions had to be taken by qualified majority voting. Only in this way could there be progress in this crucial policy area.

Convention member Elmar BROK warned strongly against a double executive in the EU. The European Foreign Minister should become vice-president of the Commission and should not remain member of the Council of Ministers. A permanent "cohabitation" between the two executives would weaken the EU. BROK sharply criticised the Franco-German proposal, to elect not only the president of the Commission, but also the president of the Council. This would lead to a shift in the power balance in the EU which would inevitably disadvantage the Commission and the European Parliament.

The Intergroup called on the Convention to reject an elected president of the Council in its debate next Monday on the institutions of the future EU, and to anchor the European Foreign Minister as a member of the European Commission.

The Intergroup European Constitution unites about 230 deputies from the six major political groups within the European Parliament.

Contact: Secretariat of the Intergroup:
Tel. : (32)2/508.30.30 – Fax : (32)2/626.95.01
E-mail : european.constitution@skynet.be.