Persson backs plans for treaty convention

Date: 24/05/01

By John Shelley

SWEDISH Prime Minister Göran Persson has thrown his weight behind plans for a convention of national and European politicians to be set up to prepare for the next set of treaty reforms.

Persson agrees that a forum of MEPs, national MPs, government representatives and European Commission officials should be created to handle the early work, in advance of the next intergovernmental conference, scheduled for 2004.

Speaking at a meeting of Parliamentarians from across Europe in Stockholm on Saturday (19 May) he said: "Its task should be to recommend an agenda for the conference and alternative solutions."

Persson said the bulk of the work of the convention should be done during 2002. He stressed that this must be completed in good time to allow traditional IGC negotiations between governments to take place before the treaty changes are agreed in 2004.

His comments will help propel the convention bandwagon.

Sweden had been thought to be one of the countries more sceptical of the idea of involving national MPs and the European Parliament in this way. Gunnar Lund, Swedish ambassador to the EU, said after the Nice summit that a convention would not necessarily be the best way to prepare for the next IGC.

The European Parliament, Finland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have also expressed support for a convention.

Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson has thrown his weight behind plans for a convention of national and European politicians to be set up to prepare for the next set of treaty reforms.