Friday, Jan 17, 2003
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By Batuk Gathani
The European parliament will elect the new President of the European Commission — administrative arm of the European Union and the E.U. heads of government will elect a new president of the E.U. Council of Ministers or the `council of Europe'. The Franco-German decision also removes one of the last obstacles in path of "dramatically re-born" Franco-German Alliance — which will now determine future of the European Union. The latest decision will also not only determine future shape of the European Union institutions, but Franco-German strategy is to make them more accountable and transparent as elected chief executives will head them after 2004 . The European parliament and the some 25 heads of government of the E.U. member states will have a significant say in the evolution of proposed new European institutions. At an informal dinner, the French and German leaders, also agreed on a common approach to the European Convention, that is formulating proposals for the overhaul of the European Union's institutions, ahead of the proposed enlargement of the current European Union of 15 member states to 25 member states by 2004. The European Convention is also in the process of drafting a new constitution for the European Union. The Germans have now agreed to drop their original "strongly federal approach'' to the European Union but have instead opted for a stronger presidency of the European Union as desired by Britain, Spain, France and even Italy. According to informed observers, the French have agreed to "election'' by European parliamentarians of the president of the European Commission and Italy, which has so far played a limited role in proposed E.U. reforms has now accepted the Franco-German strategy on the evolution and shape of the E.U. institutions. The German and French leaders have also agreed in principle to consolidate and expedite work on formation of common European foreign and security policy. This is being undertaken by the office of Mr Xavier Solana, the former Secretary General of NATO and Foreign Minister of Spain. It is also agreed that final say on all key decisions should remain with governments of the European Union member states. At a solemn declaration at a joint session of French and German parliament at Versailles next Wednesday, Chancellor Schroeder of Germany and President Chirac of France are expected to unveil plans for joint German and French legislation in areas such as policing, education and family law. They may also announce appointment of general secretary for forum of Franco-German Cooperation.
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