"WE MUST DROP THE IDEA THAT A PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, OR OF
A COUNCIL WITH EXECUTIVE POWERS, COULD CO-EXIST WITH THE POWERS OF THE
COMMISSION PRESIDENT" - PRESS RELEASE OF THE INTERNATIONL EUROPEAN
MOVEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 23 January 2003. - The International European Movement
welcomes the relaunch of the Franco-German understanding and the
advances taking shape within the European Convention. It underlines the
importance of the community method but expresses its unease at moves
within the Praesidium concerning the division of competences.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Franco-German Treaty of
Friendship, the IEM emphasizes the importance of a close understanding
between the two countries and of the fact that their governments have
submitted joint proposals to the European Convention. Their proposals
contain a series of positive points which the IEM hopes will be included
in the Convention’s final report. These points include: the
generalisation of the European Parliament’s power of co-decision and of
qualified majority voting in the Council, including on questions
concerning foreign and security policy; confirmation of the European
Commission’s role as the driving power for the construction of Europe
and guardian of the Treaties; the integration of the Charter of
Fundamental Rights in the Treaty; and the completion of the Constitution
with a minimum of delay. Nevertheless, the IEM remains convinced that
the idea of a President of the European Council, or of the Council
exercising executive powers, co-existing with the powers of the
President of the Commission should be excluded.

In the name of the IEM’s Steering Committee, José-Maria Gil-Robles,
President of the IEM, and Vice-President Jo Leinen welcome the advances
taking shape within the European Convention which are in line with
propositions already formulated by the European Movement at its congress
in The Hague in 1998 and spelled out in detail in the resolutions
subsequently adopted by its Federal Council.

The IEM draws special attention to the willingness of Convention members
to endow the Union with a single legal personality, to write the Charter
of Fundamental Rights into the Constitution, to make provision for
European economic government, to strengthen policies in external affairs
and the defence of the Union, to simplify the decision-making processes
and make them transparent, to create a genuine area of freedom, security
and justice, and to consolidate the Union’s social dimension. The strong
governmental representation at the heart of the Convention should enable
it, in drawing up the Constitution, to reach viable compromises with the
aim of safeguarding against it being unravelled by the IGC. In the face
of public opinion, the IGC could then in no way justify a renegotiation
behind closed doors of the text adopted by Convention members.

The IEM is aware of the fact that all these advances can only be
realised by means of adopting the community method for the totality of
Union acts. Within this framework, the IEM considers it indispensable to
strengthen the rôle of the Commission, and specifically its right of
initiative, its executive rôle, and its duty to represent the Union in
external affairs. It is also necessary to find a way of consolidating
its democratic legitimacy, notably through procedures permitting the
electorate to express their will through the European elections.

In the present state of play, the internal debates of the Praesidium
demonstrate a tendency to be preoccupied with how to organise the
division of competences between the Union and its member states.

In the IEM’s estimation, the broad majority of Union citizens wish to
see Europe acting effectively, transparently, and democratically—that
is, more Europe, not less.

For more information: Henrik H. Kröner - Secretary general of the IEM
Tel. +32 2 508 30 88 ; Fax: +32 2 508 30 89; e-mail:
secretariat@europeanmovement.org web: www.europeanmovement.org