Designers are flying the flag for change

Date: 26/09/02

By Paul Gallagher

THE European Commission has been viewing proposals for a new European flag - but it insists it does not mean that a change is planned.

The current flag with 12 'clock-face' gold stars on a blue background has been criticized by some commentators for suggesting a fragmented picture of Europe.

A Belgian artist, Christophe Terlinden, is currently promoting a simple ring design to 'emphasise a more consensual conception of the integration movement of European peoples' ahead of enlargement which envisages a Union of 27 or more states.

A spokesperson for the agency promoting Terlinden's design added: 'There is a lot of confusion over the number of stars in the flag.

'A circle represents all the peoples of Europe and the ring symbolises a union which offers solidarity.'

In May, the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaes suggested a barcode-style image, combining all the colours of the member state flags, to replace the existing banner.

Sandro Gozi, political assistant to Commission President Romano Prodi, told European Voice that although the Commission was interested in the new designs it had 'no intention' of changing the existing 12-star European flag.

'The new proposal was given audience as a sign of respect to the interested party in the European cause,' he explained.

The European Commission has been viewing proposals for a new European flag - but it insists it does not mean that a change is planned.