Leaders deliver mixed verdict on Spain’s presidential term

Date: 13/06/02

By Martin Banks

POLITICAL group leaders in the European Parliament have given a mixed end-of-term report on the Spanish presidency of the EU.

Spain has worked to a tightly-focused agenda - concentrating on the fight against terrorism and progress in negotiations with the ten countries hoping to join the EU in 2004.

Hans-Gert Pöttering, leader of the European People's Party (EPP), said Spain had done 'an excellent job, particularly in tackling international terrorism'.

EPP deputy leader Ignacio Salafranca, a Spanish MEP, welcomed his country's efforts to clear the way for the creation of a corps of EU border guards to thwart illegal immigration. 'Spain has worked very hard at every level to achieve success for our legislative proposals,' he added.

The EPP, however, is among those voicing disquiet over Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar's plans for a powerful EU president.

It opposes the creation of such a position because it fears it would not have any Parliamentary control.

Graham Watson, Liberal group leader, accused Spain of failing to deliver on certain key issues. 'It is too early to make a definitive assessment but its record on transparency, openness and access to documents is most disappointing,'` he said.

He also said Spain had reached only 'half a deal'` on energy liberalisation.

However, Watson acknowledged that the presidency achieved more than many had expected on pushing forward the enlargement process and welcomed its efforts on economic reform.

'Spain has also unblocked discussions on pensions...and another plus will be if it can get a deal on terrorism.'

European Commission President Romano Prodi and his Parliamentary counterpart Pat Cox, meanwhile, both heaped praise on Aznar's administration.

Prodi told MEPs yesterday that Spain had done an 'outstanding' job, while Cox added: '[It has] opened and closed more chapters among the candidate countries than many had foreseen.

'It has been on the ball on several issues and Parliament has enjoyed a good relationship with Spain.'

Political group leaders in the European Parliament have given their opinions on the Spanish presidency of the EU, January-June 2002.