European Union
In the course of its meeting on 5 December, the European Commission will formally approve a document aimed at the Convention on the future of Europe containing the Executive’s proposals on the reform of the Community institutions and their method of work. The document will be presented on the same day by Romano Prodi during the plenary session of the Convention (Brussels, 5-6 December 2002). The EU Executive does not share the Franco-British hypothesis of appointing a “President of Europe” for a five-year term, and confirmed its own preference for the current system composed of two distinct presidencies, respectively of the Council and of the Commission. The Presidencies of the Council and of the Council of General Affairs in the Commission’s view ought to continue to be managed on a six monthly revolving basis by the governments of the member states. One striking innovation consists in the proposal to establish an “EU Secretary for Foreign Affairs”, who would be invested with decision-making powers and charged with the job of managing EU foreign policy according to a mandate conferred by the Council. Such a Secretary would combine the functions currently performed by the Senior Representative for common foreign policy and security and the Commissioner for External Relations. Another significant proposal concerns the post of President of the Commission: his election by the European Parliament would be followed by the ratification of the appointment by the European Council. As regards the powers of the EP, the procedure of co-decision should be extended to all EU legislative activity. Finally, as regards the composition of the Commission, the document reaffirms the preference for the formula “one Commissioner per member state”, in spite of the opposition of Michel Barnier, Commissioner and member of the presidium of the Convention, who supports the hypothesis of a reduced Commission: he sees a danger of a loss of collegiality and the risk of interference by governments in the work of the Executive.
