Eu in brief" "
The six months’ Greek presidency of the European Union ended on 30 June. From 1st July it will be Italy’s turn to chair the Council. Italy’s priorities in its programme for the rotating presidency, presented by premier Berlusconi to the European Parliament on 2 July, are institutional reforms, enlargement, the peace process in the Middle East, foreign relations, terrorism and security, research, poverty and development (cf. Sir 43 of 13/6). Meanwhile, the Convention on the future of Europe is due to meet in Brussels on 4 July. It will be the first of the two plenary sessions needed to complete parts III and IV of the Constitution, respectively on the policies and functioning of the Union and the general and final provisions. The Council has granted an extension of time that will permit Giscard to deliver the final draft to Rome on 18 July. On the agenda is also discussion on qualified majority vote for foreign policy and common security, on economic governance and on the roles and fields of jurisdiction of the Institutions.
