‘EU needs more ambition, not a president’

Date: 24/10/02

By Dana Spinant

Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, discusses his vision for the future of Europe.

THE power struggle between small and large member states is reaching a climax but Jean-Claude Juncker insists he is not too worried.

'It doesn't bother me much, as I am in the camp of the large states,' jokes the leader of the Grand Duchy, which despite its name is the EU's smallest country with a population of just 400,000. More seriously, he points out that the real fight in the EU is not between big and small countries, but between 'small ideas and great ambitions'.

Juncker, one of the EU's great survivors who negotiated the Maastricht Treaty for Luxembourg, is one of the most informed politicians on EU affairs.

So what are his ambitions for the future of the Union?

European Voice caught up with him at the European People's Party Congress in Estoril last week. On the big issue of the moment, namely that of plans for an elected EU president, Juncker is firmly in the 'No' camp - at least for the time being.

'What Europe really needs is more ambition: not a president, no new institutions, no Congress, no Senate, just great ambitions. The question is not that such a president would be dangerous for the small states, but it would be dangerous for Europe,' he warns.

An EU president would be acceptable only if the Union had more work to do. 'We must first establish our ambitions, and then decide on the institutions, which are just instruments to put into practice [our] ambitions.'

If no new tasks are being assigned to the Union, no new institutions need be created. But he adds: 'If the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) becomes a Community task,

I do not exclude a European Union president, provided that his function is well-defined in connection to that of the

European Commission's president or that they are one and the same person.'

So where does Juncker believe the EU needs to spread its wings?

He sees the need for better coordination of economic policy, concentrated in Brussels; a 'communitarisation', in steps, of the foreign and security policy, as well as in defence; 'more Europe' in the fight against international crime and drug trafficking and; a European policy on visas, asylum, and immigration.

Top of his agenda is a common foreign and security policy. 'If we introduce majority voting on CFSP, with which I would be ready to agree tomorrow, then we can discuss new institutions,' he said.

Juncker hopes that the Convention on the future of Europe can come up with a project which is acceptable not only to heads of government, but also their citizens. 'The Convention must be a bridge between the Euro-tired and the Euro-enthusiastic,' he added.

It needs to target an institutional set-up 'which is more in line with 2050' than today. Juncker, a confirmed federalist, urged the Convention to adopt a more 'continental approach' and not succumb to pressure, led by the UK, to preserve member state powers.

Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, discusses his vision for the future of Europe.