Last Wednesday 3rd September, the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasburg, dedicated one of its debates to the Convention for the Future of Europe.
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (Chairman of the Convention), Romano Prodi (European Commission President) and the Italian Presidency, represented by Gianfranco Fini (Deputy Prime Minister) and Franco Frattini (Foreign Minister) dialogued with the MEPs about the Convention and the IGC.
Warning against changes to the 16-month work of the Convention, came from Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, backed by the main political groups of Parliament See The Greens-EFA press release.
Franco Frattini stressed the necessity for the IGC to finalise its work by December, so that it could be signed between the 1 May enlargement and the elections for the European Parliament in June.
On the other hand, Romano Prodi advocated for changes to the Constitution draft. The Commission’s position is fully supported by many of the smaller EU states (they share the goal of one full Commissioner per every EU country).
The European Parliament, which had an observer role in previous IGCs, is pushing for further involvement.
Both Gianfranco Fini and Franco Frattini stressed that the EP should be involved fully at all levels - but what role the European parliament will have is still unclear.
If the EP is considered equal to the Foreign Affairs Ministers, Pat Cox, president of the EP, will be in charge of representing the EP in the IGC. It is sure, however, that the EP will not be allowed to vote.
Parliament is due to adopt its report on the outcome on the Convention at its next plenary session in Strasbourg (22-25 September).
The EP Constitutional Affairs Committee will finalise its draft report on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 September in Brussels.
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Jean-Luc Dehaene and Giuliano Amato will participate in the IGC as well.
