Proposals to boost EU presidency under attack

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Austria's Foreign Minister, attacked on 9 June 2002 proposals by Britain, France and Spain to create a powerful new European Union president, arguing that this was an attempt by the big countries to run Europe and that all EU Member States should have their turn in holding the presidency. Mrs Ferrero-Waldner's comments reflect many of the concerns expressed privately in Brussels by the smaller countries.