Not pragmatism alone

Three years ago he assumed the role of Vice-President of the Executive and took on the portfolio of Freedom, Security and Justice. In his headquarters in Brussels, and also during his travels through the length and breadth of the continent, Italian Commissioner FRANCO FRATTINI has on his agenda the fight against terrorism, cross-border cooperation between the security forces, the protection of the rights of citizenship, and the thorny questions of immigration and asylum. He has also made many interventions on the front of the rights of minors. In this interview with SIR, Frattini dwells in particular on the Treaty of Lisbon and the future of the EU.In the Portuguese capital the Twenty-Seven gave the go ahead to the Treaty that reforms the EU institutions. Do you consider it a success?“I think its success consists in the fact that a unanimous agreement was reached on many delicate questions. I may cite the question of the long-term President of the European Council, who will now remain in office for two and a half years, ensuring continuity to the work of this institution. The majority vote was also extended within the Council, effectively limiting the power of veto, though this reform will only enter into force in ten years’ time… Another important decision was the reinforcement of the role of the High Representative for foreign policy, who will also serve as Vice-President of the Commission. I would say, therefore, that the new Treaty can be considered a step forward, bearing in mind the conditions from which we set out and, in particular, the recent rejection of the Constitution”.What other noteworthy innovations does the Treaty contain?“There are several. I think the increased role of the European Parliament is very important: its power of co-decision alongside the Council on legislative proposals is increased. This is a guarantee of democracy, given that the EP is elected directly by citizens. Another innovation worth noting is that the Court of Justice shall be empowered to rule on all sectors of the Treaty. Then there’s the Charter of Rights, which assumes binding value in 24 of the 27 member states, with opt-outs for Great Britain, Ireland and Poland. The Charter establishes that some rights are inalienable and absolute, such as human dignity or the right to privacy”.What, on the other hand, are the limitations of the accord reached in Lisbon?“The Treaty lacks clarity on foreign policy. It’s true that the powers of the High Representative, or foreign policy chief, have been reinforced, but no one bothered about the fact that the EU doesn’t have its own foreign policy. The unanimous vote was maintained in this sector, with the evident risk of paralysis whenever decisions have to be taken on the Middle East, or Iraq or similar cases”.Let’s speak of the “two-speed” Europe. That has already happened for the euro and Schengen, but now the same situation is occurring for the Charter of Rights.“In the case of the Charter it’s a real pity and I expressed my regret about it in public. Indeed on the rights of the person there cannot be two speeds or two measures! On the other hand, I’m not scandalized that this can happen at the level of justice and security: if some countries want to tighten their collaboration and go forward faster, why should we prevent them?”.Vice-President Frattini, the new Treaty certainly isn’t a Constitution. In your view, will a “constitutional spirit” return in the enlarged EU?“I fear not. I hope I may be mistaken, but… perhaps my grandchildren will speak of it again. It seems to me there is no wish among member states to resume discussion on rules, reforms and institutions. Instead they prefer to pursue tangible results: in the fields of energy, climate change, the economy, anti-terrorism and the protection of the weaker members of society. That’s positive in itself: it’s the Europe of results, of progress to the real benefit of citizens. Yet this pragmatism for the time being removes any scope for the constitutional question”.After the signing of the Treaty, scheduled for 13 December, the ratification process will begin. Do you think it will all go smoothly?“There are always unforeseen risks lurking round the corner, but I think there’s a re-found climate of trust. The main countries have decided not to hold referendums and almost all will ratify the Treaty by parliamentary vote. It’s not that I fear a recourse to the referendum, but there’s always the risk that the euro-sceptics could exploit it or that national problems that have nothing to do with the Treaty or with the EU could influence the popular vote”.The Treaty of Lisbon includes, as did the Constitution of 2004, an article that defines the structured dialogue between EU and religious communities. What’s your view on that?“It’s an absolutely positive fact. In actual fact a periodic and structured dialogue with the Churches and religious faiths already exists; the article in question will now give it institutional value. I am convinced that this is a way of ensuring that a veil of silence does not fall over the Christian roots of Europe: those roots are admittedly not cited in the Preamble to the Treaty, but they are firmly present in reality”.