DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 14/03/1996

“This is an intergovernmental conference and you can't have an intergovernmental conference if organisations or institutions that are not governments are taking part.”

British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind defending Anglo-French opposition to allowing the European Parliament to participate in the IGC.

“If we do not succeed in having European Parliament representatives with us, we are going to fail.”

Spanish Foreign Minister Carlos Westendorp insisting it is essential to bring MEPs into the IGC negotiations in order for citizens to understand what is going on.

“Institutional reform cannot lead to a reduction in the powers of small and medium member states.”

Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama stressing relations between member states must continue to be based on the principles of equality and democracy.

“Unemployment is undermining the confidence of our peoples, confidence without which no collective enterprise can ever be carried through ... I think we can say that Europe has still not made up its mind whether it means to survive or decline.”

Former Commission President Jacques Delors warning that it will be very difficult to win public support for the next EU treaty if the Intergovernmental Conference does not tackle the problem of unemployment.

“It is hard to exaggerate the importance of an agreement in the World Trade Organisation to open up telecommunications. Opening up the market in this crucial area is in the interests of all.”

Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan stressing the need for a WTO telecoms liberalisation deal by the 30 April deadline.

“One must be very doubtful. The question is whether it will do any harm.”

British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind on whether the visit by a troika of senior EU officials to Iran, Libya and Syria will accomplish anything in the fight against terrorism.

“I am afraid this is the kind of bloc politics which was quite effective in the Cold War period. We hope that the EU can refrain from doing something that is no longer relevant.”

Chinese Foreign Minister and Vice-President Qian Qichen attacking the EU for its condemnation of his country's human rights record.