From: Marc-Oliver Pahl (info@mopahl.de)
Date: Fri Dec 12 2003 - 12:58:26 CET
Dear all,
attached you can find the Italian Presidency proposals for
the Brussels summit. If these proposals can really
help to come to good end?
Regards
Marc-Oliver
--------
Italian Presidency proposal, Brussels Summit, 12-13 December 03 (CIG 60/03 ADD 2)
1. As stated in CIG 60/03, the Presidency submits to delegations the following ways forward on the
more sensitive political issues which it intends should constitute the focus of discussions at the
meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference on 12-13 December.
Preamble
2. The preamble, and in particular the question of whether or not to include a reference to
Europe's Christian roots, was the subject of detailed discussion at the Naples ministerial
meeting. While some delegations stressed the importance of a reference to Christian values in
the preamble, others felt that the text proposed by the Convention made an even-handed
response to the various concerns that had been raised. They therefore propose that it remain
unchanged.
Composition of the Commission
3. It is generally acknowledged by all delegations that the Commission has both to satisfy the
requirement for legitimacy and to function effectively.
4. A number of Member States, in particular the new ones, consider that, immediately following the
most recent and extensive round of enlargement, the composition of the Commission should reflect the
greater diversity of the enlarged European Union. This view, which reflects public opinion, leads
these Member States to support the idea that there should be one national from each Member State in
the Commission. Taking this into account, the
Presidency considers that it is desirable that the composition of the Commission should
respond adequately to the concerns of these delegations, while avoiding the risk that these
arrangements might in the long run undermine another key requirement, for a Commission
which functions effectively. The Presidency is therefore of the view that a clause could be
envisaged which would provide for a reduced Commission with effect from a given date.
Once there was agreement on this principle, the details of how it would operate would be
decided in the light of the experience acquired by the enlarged Union as regards the
functioning of the new Commission.
Qualified Majority Voting
5. The Presidency notes that a very large number of delegations continue to support the
Convention text on the definition of Qualified Majority Voting, in particular because it meets
the overall objective of decision-making procedures which are simple, efficient and transparent.
Nevertheless the Presidency is aware that for a few delegations, the Convention
proposal is not acceptable as it currently stands. The Presidency is continuing to reflect on
how best to respond to the specific concerns expressed by some delegations, without losing
the advantages of the Convention proposal and taking into account also the balance of the
overall institutional framework.
6. On the issue of the scope of Qualified Majority Voting, a number of delegations support a
further extension into other areas. At the same time, there are others who consider that, in a
number of sensitive areas, unanimity should be maintained. Taking into account these
different views, the Presidency is of the opinion that the Convention text in general represents
a balanced compromise. However the overall issue of the scope of QMV will have to be seen
in the context of the final agreement covering all the outstanding issues.
European Parliament
7. The Presidency has taken note of the concerns expressed by a number of delegations that the
minimum threshold of four seats in the European Parliament creates problems of democratic legitimacy
for the smallest Member States. The Presidency does not rule out the possibility of a limited
increase in this threshold in order to meet these concerns, whilst maintaining the overall approach
on the composition of the European Parliament.
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