Battle lines are drawn over EU power division

Date: 18/04/02

By Martin Banks

CONVENTION delegates clashed over the future division of powers between the EU and member states when they met for a two-day plenary session in Brussels this week.

Some members called for more powers for the EU, reducing the role of national parliaments; others insisted member states' rights should be safeguarded at all costs.

One of the key tasks for the Convention is to examine which powers and responsibilities should be concentrated in Brussels and which should be given to member states.

UK Europe Minister Peter Hain said the 'big questions' of national politics should be left to national governments.

'As we look to the future, continuing public consent to the EU's missions will require more clarity about who does what,' he said. 'In particular, we should make more explicit the understanding that powers not delegated to the EU remain the preserve of member states.'

Other speakers, however, called for the Union to take on more responsibilities, particularly in the field of security and foreign policy.

Adrian Severin, a delegate from Romania, one of the candidate countries, said: 'Both the international environment and our citizens' aspirations compel us to set up a Union with substantial federal elements. This presupposes more competences for the Union and more powers, in particular, for the European Parliament.'

His comments were echoed by the Austrian government's representative, Hannes Farnleitner. Matti Vanhanen of Finland thought the current distribution of powers was 'about right'.

Giuliano Amato, a vice-chairman of the Convention, said he wanted to see the EU become a global power: 'The need for Europe to be a global power does not just mean defending Europeans from outside threats. It also means enhancing the quality of life in the whole world.'

Meanwhile, the Social Platform, a Brussels-based NGO that represents European 'civil society' groups, said debate over the EU's responsibilities should not overshadow other key issues.

Its director, Simon Wilson, said: 'The Convention has been talking for two days this week about 'missions' for Europe but they should ensure that social justice and fundamental rights are at the heart of the debate.'

Information on the Convention, which next meets on 23-24 May, can be found on a special website: http://european-convention.eu.int.