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09 December, 2000
Greece supports the prospect of a Federal Europe based on the decision making principle of "dual majority", Simitis said on Friday, during a press conference at the end of the first day of the EU summit.
"Greece", he said, "supports the principle of a (European) Commissioner per country," underlining that the correct federal rule would take into account both states and populations, by a correct system of balance.
"In the USA for example every state, whether small or large has two senators," the same holds true for the Federal Republic of Germany, Simitis said, adding that the same rule should be implemented in the Union as well.
On the subject of the possibility of closer cooperation between member-states, he said that Greece would be in agreement "provided that there would be no rules, which would bar other countries fro from the chance to participate".
The premier also said that Greece supported the retention of unanimity on foreign and defense policies, when the vital interests of a member-state are at stake.
He closed his remarks noting, that "there is a need for discussion, as well as mobilization to create the vision of a federation".
At the end of the first day, French President Jacques Chirac announced that the joint meeting of leaders would resume after bilateral meetings of all leaders with the French presidency of the Union conclude.
He also said that he would meet with all other leaders personally, to access convergence and divergence of opinions on the issue of the Intergovernmental Conference at hand.
Source: Athens News Agency
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