Brussels, 23 April 2003

Reacting to the proposals made by the President of the European Convention, Giscard d'Estaing on the reform of the European institutions, Monica Frassoni, Co-President of the Green/EFA group in the European parliament said today:

"The President of the Convention's proposals are discouraging for all those who believe in a truly democratic Europe.

"According to Giscard, the European Union would be firmly in the hands of the member state governments. The European Commission and the European Parliament would see their role reduced to being mere appendices of an over powerful European Council. This Council would be organised like a government, with a permanent elected President, a Vice-president and even a cabinet of seven members. Giscard's model differs only in one important aspect from that of national governments: it is not subject to clear democratic accountability.

"The proposed Foreign Minister has no link with the Parliament and only a nominal link to the Commission. This marks the end of the vision of a democratically elected European structure, able to represent common European interests. There is no doubt that the biggest countries will find a way to play a dominant role in this new structure, as the Union takes on the form of an international institution where the interests of the strongest prevail unchecked."

By: Helmut Weixler; Head of Press Office

Contact:
EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF GREEN PARTIES
European Parliament - room PHS 2C85
rue Wiertz, 1047 Brussels, Belgium
ph: 32 2 284 51 35, fax : 32 2 284 91 35
email : EFGP@europarl.eu.int
http//: www.europeangreens.org