Consultations on European constitution

The heads of state and government of the EU member and candidate countries concluded a further round of the current intergovernmental conference at a summit meeting held in Brussels on October 16. The intergovernmental conference is a body convened to finalize the draft European constitution. The talks were initiated two weeks ago in Rome.  

Press conference

In a midday press conference Chancellor Schröder gave an initial indication of the progress being made in the intergovernmental conference. He reported that the delegations had presented their standpoints with regard to the draft EU constitution just as they had at the beginning of the intergovernmental conference in Rome. He noted that everyone who spoke expressed the desire to see the intergovernmental conference complete its task of adopting the EU constitution by December, adding that he would support the Italian Presidency in this. Schröder indicated that he had not come to Brussels with the expectation that it would be possible to reach an agreement on the EU constitution this soon.

Schröder will be represented by President Chirac at the final meeting of the European Council on Friday, October 17. He gave as a reason for this the need to be present in the German parliament for the vote on his Agenda 2010 reform program, adding that since there is full agreement between Germany and France on European issues this an obvious option. Schröder called Chirac's willingness to do this as a reflection of the excellent state of Franco-German relations.

After the meeting of the intergovernmental conference Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer observed that the approach being taken by the Italian Presidency, i.e. focusing on key differences, was turning out to be productive. He said it was clear that no viable compromises could be expected at the present point in time but that the intergovernmental conference would definitely make progress in resolving these problems, adding that this was already in the offing. He noted that this applied to the question regarding the size of the EU Commission as well as to the question of future voting modalities.

Fischer remarked that the climate of the talks would seem to indicate the possibility of concluding the negotiating process before the end of the Italian Presidency, adding that there is a general desire to make progress towards a solution. He expressed cautious optimism in the current intermediate phase of the negotiations but noted that a number of problems still lie ahead. He said his optimism was based on broad acceptance of the double majority voting system, adding that it offers greater transparency.

A double majority means that decisions must be approved by at least 50 percent of the member countries and that these countries must represent at least 60 percent of the EU population. Poland and Spain have voiced their opposition to the planned double majority voting system. They would like to retain the voting system agreed on in Nice under which they each have nearly as many votes as Germany even though their populations are only about half as large.

The draft constitution must be approved by all twenty-five member and candidate countries. Germany is satisfied with the compromise package as it is. Other countries are less pleased and would like to take the package apart again. The objective now is to reconcile existing differences and reach a final agreement on the text of the constitution.

The smaller countries have expressed their desire to make changes. They are pursuing an objective that is not provided for in the draft constitution, i.e. for each country to provide one EU commissioner. The draft constitution, on the other hand, wants to make the Commission more efficient and limits the number of commissioners to fifteen.

It goes without saying that there is still room for discussion of minor details. It is felt, however, that the intergovernmental conference should not become embroiled in disputes. This would bring with it the danger of a domino effect. Every demand for a change in the text could lead to new demands for changes elsewhere and the whole package would be in danger of falling apart. It is felt that the prerequisite for any demand for a change in the text should be to offer an alternative on which everyone can agree.

The Italian EU Presidency has set itself the ambitious goal of completing the negotiations on the draft constitution before the end of this year. The German government supports it in this. Time is of the essence. This is why it was necessary to hold this summit in Brussels. Ten new member countries are scheduled to be admitted to the European Union in May 2004. The EU will need a new set of rules by then if it is to continue to be capable of taking coordinated political action.

EU to launch growth initiative

Prime Minister Blair, Chancellor Schröder, President Chirac, and Prime Minister Verhofstadt on the sidelines of the summit.

The fifteen EU heads of state and government also met in Brussels to launch a growth initiative intended to help counteract the economic downturn that has had Europe in its grip since the beginning of the year.

The German government has expressed its support of the growth initiative, saying that there should be an EU program in addition to the national efforts being undertaken. Germany and France want to increase spending on research and education. Italy is looking more at the possibility of improving road and rail infrastructures.