DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 16/01/1997

“The Parliament should elect its president, not select its president.”

Dutch MEP and Liberal Group leader Gijs de Vries attacking the agreement between the Socialist Group and the European People's Party which effectively made this week's vote to choose a new president for the European Parliament a formality.

“The game is sewn up between two countries. It is not right that 13 other countries watch the ball get passed around without getting a touch.”

French Radical MEP Catherine Lalumière, who stood for the Parliament's presidency in protest against its “anti-democratic” selection procedure.

“We need closer economic and political cooperation. I do not want to say political union because its content is vague, but there will be areas in which we have to get closer.”

European Monetary Institute President Alexandre Lamfalussy predicting that the creation of a single currency zone would force closer political cooperation in Europe.

“It does not copy the Bundesbank.” Lamfalussy speaking as he presented the EMI's early plan for conducting monetary policy in the single currency zone.

“Some people have opt-outs on monetary union, some on social affairs. This is going to accelerate in future as the EU evolves. There is great scope for countries taking part in those aspects of the EU that are in their own interests, but not being dragged into those that are unpalatable to them.”

UK Premier John Major outlining his blueprint for a multi-speed 'pick and mix' Union.

“Hopefully, initial negotiations with candidates will begin in early 1998. However, we do not expect that all candidates will join at the same time, as their differences in political, legal and economic terms are too great.”

Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek speaking about the timetable for enlargement at a meeting of Tacis national coordinators this week.

“During the peace implementation period, we are obliged to move a little bit deeper into the 'twilight zone' of our humanitarian mandate.”

An EU Humanitarian Office (ECHO) internal document on the European Commission's policy regarding the repatriation of Bosnian refugees.