By Rohan Minogue Jun 22, 2007, 15:25 GMT
Brussels - There were mixed signals from the intensive discussions being conducted by political leaders on the second day of a European Union summit on agreeing a new treaty to streamline the bloc's decision-making process.
'Optimism' and 'willingness to compromise' were the sentiments expressed in public.
Luxembourg's prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, was a dissenting voice, expressing regret at the possibility the British could opt out of a legally binding European human rights charter.
'I would not be happy at that, but I can't rule out that that is what will happen,' Juncker, a firm backer of increased European integration, told journalists as he arrived at the summit venue for a round of bilateral talks headed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
On Polish demands that the current voting system be retained in the EU's decision-making bodies until 2020, Juncker said: 'That would be a very poor solution.'
Strong British reservations on transferring further power to Brussels in judicial affairs and foreign policy and Poland's fear of having its voice drowned out by the larger powers, Germany in particular, were at the heart of the discussions.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed optimism through his top aide, Claude Gueant.
'We're halfway there,' Gueant told French radio, but he also acknowledged 'differences' about the contents of the proposed simplified treaty.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, another staunch integrationist and a former European Commission president, said the talks had been 'constructive.'
But he also acknowledged to Italian journalists that, 'Poland remains a very serious problem.'
The British had maintained their position, 'but with less emphasis,' Prodi said.
Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who has expressed support for the Polish position, described the atmosphere at the talks as 'frosty' when Polish President Lech Kaczynski raised his objections to the proposed 'double majority' voting system.
The double majority would allow the Council of Ministers, which takes the main decisions, to push through decisions in specified areas when 55 per cent of member states representing at least 65 per cent of the EU population are in support.
Poland, with 27 votes to the 29 enjoyed by Germany, France, Britain and Italy, currently has more power.
In Topolanek's view, Kaczynski would not compromise on the issue, and the Polish president said as much when he told the Polish news agency PAP: 'Poland is not in the habit of withdrawing when it is in the right.'
Among the optimists was Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who said the leaders were 'highly motivated' to strike a deal, although he was critical of the Polish stance.
Nevertheless, Balkenende also set out his own agenda: a greater role for national parliaments in EU decisions, explicit criteria for further EU expansion and protection for Dutch institutions, such as health care and public housing.
Sarkozy made use of the general confusion to push through an amendment close to French hearts that cut a reference to 'undistorted competition,' instantly provoking a response from the pro-market British.
Despite the conciliatory tone adopted by almost all the leaders - the Polish president excepted - it was clear that each of the 27 member states was vigorously pushing its own agenda.
'Failure is not an option,' European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said after the summit got underway.
But it was clear that the political leaders were in no mood to sacrifice national interest for the sake of European harmony.
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scrap the whole thingJun 22nd, 2007 - 17:04:18
They are grasping, usurping thieves. We do not want MORE EU, we want LESS. What part of NO do you fascists NOT UNDERSTAND.
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