The Hindu : 10 more members join E.U.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 17, 2003

International

International

10 more members join E.U.

By Amit Baruah

ATHENS April 16. Iraq was the overriding concern as the European Union, in its most dramatic expansion in 46 years, today added 10 new members, eight of them from the erstwhile Soviet bloc.

Leaders of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia will formally join the E.U. on May 1, 2004, but took a historic first step by attending an informal E.U. summit today. They also signed the accession treaty at the Stoa of Attalos at the foot of the Acropolis.

A significant presence in Athens was that of the U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, who met the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, on the sidelines of the E.U. deliberations.

Talking to presspersons after a meeting with Mr. Ivanov, Mr. Annan was asked what he meant by an important role for the United Nations. Asked if he envisaged a Bonn-type process that was used in Afghanistan, Mr. Annan said that was only "part of the scheme".

"The responsibilities attached to a post-conflict Iraq was much more than just the Bonn process," he said adding that consultations were taking place between the "coalition" and "non-coalition" members of the Security Council. These consultations were to precisely work out and define in functional terms what a "vital role" for the U.N. meant.

Mr. Annan, who plans to meet several leaders including the German Chancellor and the French President, has a tough job on hand especially since the Americans have already gone ahead with discussions on the ground in Iraq about an interim governing arrangement.

Speaking to the press after his meeting with Mr. Blair, Mr. Annan maintained: "I am confident that the U.N. will play an important role, and as we move ahead in the next few weeks I expect the role to become much clearer".

Mr. Blair, too, said that there should be an "important role" for the U.N. "I think if we approach the thing in the right spirit of goodwill, we will make sure the situation is handled well, not just on behalf of the Iraqi people, but also in respect of the U.N. too."

Though Iraq remained the dominant topic of conversation, the importance of the occasion should not be missed as far as the E.U. is concerned. A population of 75 million has been added to the E.U., taking its total to a grand 450 million.

In an Athens declaration, the 25 countries said: "We believe the Union has an essential role to play in the world. We shall work for a more open and equitable global economy and a truly shared global information society, to the benefit of all... . We will promote relentlessly the dialogue among civilizations and contribute uncompromisingly to strengthening the institutions of global governance and expanding the reach of international law."

"We are committed to facing up to our global responsibilities. We will support conflict prevention... help secure peace and defend global stability. We are determined to work at all levels to tackle global terrorism and stem the weapons of mass destruction.

``To these ends, the Union will continue to enhance its civilian and military capabilities to enhance stability beyond its borders".

"The Union pledges its support to the United Nations and its effort to ensure international legitimacy and global responsibility," it said.

Addressing a press conference, the Greek Presidency of the Union announced that a Constitutional Treaty would be presented at a June 20 summit E.U. summit. Discussions took place on a range of issues, including having a possible Chairman for the European Council, comprising Heads of State / Government.

There appeared to be agreement on having a European Foreign Minister, the former French President, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, who heads the Convention efforts, said at the press conference.

He said a chapter on fundamental rights would form part of the proposed E.U. Constitution. Pointing to the problems associated with the addition of 10 new member States, he said these new members were willing to consider the question of "rotating commissioners" in the European Commission, the principal executive body of the E.U.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International