Greens say: Giscard's proposals: a slap to foe European democracy]

From: Marc-Oliver Pahl (info@mopahl.de)
Date: Wed Apr 23 2003 - 22:16:59 CEST

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    -------- Original Message --------
    Betreff: Greens say: Giscard's proposals: a slap to foe Europeandemocracy
    Datum: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 13:23:34 +0200
    Von: "EFGP EFGP" <efgp@europarl.eu.int>
    An: <info@mopahl.de>

    THE GREENS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

    PRESS RELEASE - Brussels, 23 April 2003

    Giscard d'Estaing's proposals for the Convention :
    "A slap in the face for European democracy"

    Reacting to the proposals made by the President of the European Convention, Giscard d'Estaing on the
    reform of the European institutions, Monica Frassoni, Co-President of the Green/EFA group in the
    European parliament said today:

    "The President of the Convention's proposals are discouraging for all those who believe in a truly
    democratic Europe.

    "According to Giscard, the European Union would be firmly in the hands of the member state
    governments. The European Commission and the European Parliament would see their role reduced to
    being mere appendices of an over powerful European Council. This Council would be organised like a
    government, with a permanent elected President, a Vice-president and even a cabinet of seven
    members. Giscard's model differs only in one important aspect from that of national governments: it
    is not subject to clear democratic accountability.

    "The proposed Foreign Minister has no link with the Parliament and only a nominal link to the
    Commission. This marks the end of the vision of a democratically elected European structure, able to
    represent common European interests. There is no doubt that the biggest countries will find a way
    to play a dominant role in this new structure, as the Union takes on the form of an international
    institution where the interests of the strongest prevail unchecked."

    ***************************************************
    Press Service of the Greens/EFA Group
    in the European Parliament

    Helmut Weixler
    Head of Press Office

    ****************************************************************
    EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF GREEN PARTIES
    European Parliament - room PHS 2C85
    rue Wiertz, 1047 Brussels, Belgium
    ph: 32 2 284 51 35, fax : 32 2 284 91 35
    email : EFGP@europarl.eu.int
    http//: www.europeangreens.org

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