France and Germany dream of EU embassies around the world
From Rory Watson in Brussels

THE European Union would have its own diplomatic corps with 
embassies throughout the world under new plans to strengthen 
its international image.  

The idea is part of the political package France and Germany 
presented yesterday to the convention, under the chairmanship 
of Valery Giscard d'Estaing, the former French President, that 
is drawing up a constitutional blueprint for the EU.  

The bedrock of the service would be European Commission representations 
already established in about 130 countries. Under the Franco-German plan, 
their remit would be broadened to represent the whole EU. They would work 
closely with national diplomats and be answerable to a European Minister 
for Foreign Affairs.  

The new post would replace the EU's existing schizophrenic approach 
to foreign policy, whereby external relations are handled jointly by 
Chris Patten, who is responsible to the Commission, and Javier Solana, 
who answers to EU governments. The position is intended to combine the 
political authority that Senor Solana enjoys with the financial and 
personnel resources under Mr PattenAEs control.  

Peter Hain, the Government's representative at the convention, said 
yesterday that the idea had merits, provided that the holder took 
instructions from member states. "It is important to ensure Europe 
speaks with a clear voice on the international stage," he said. 
"If George W. Bush wants to phone Europe, he speaks to the President 
of the Council (of Europe). If Colin Powell wants to, then he dials 
the new foreign representative."

Britain also supports the Franco-German idea of EU heads of 
government electing a powerful, long-term President, and Mr Hain 
tried to reassure small countries that this would not lead to 
domination by larger members. Mr Hain suggested that all member 
states should be treated equally and have a European Commissioner. 
He proposed maintaining the rotating six-month presidency for informal 
ministerial meetings, allowing countries to host these on their own soil.  

However, yesterday's meeting revealed the extent of suspicion over 
the idea of a new European President. Gijs de Vries, the Dutch 
Government representative, said that it would lead to "confusion, 
acrimony and stalemate".

"The future European President would be the most powerful politician 
in Europe, but would not be elected by the people or accountable to a 
democratic body," he said to loud applause. Equally trenchant criticism 
came from the Belgian and Greek representatives. The Franco-German 
paper also calls for the election of the Commission President by the 
European Parliament, wider legislative and budgetary powers for the 
Parliament and a right for national parliaments to intervene if they 
believe that the EU has overstepped its powers.  

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Source - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-549795,00.html

Cheers, Steve..

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