After the meeting of the European Council, which mainly focused on seeking a solution to the outstanding institutional issues of the EU, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, said the the results of the meeting were good, as there was agreement on reforming the treaty and a decision to convene an inter-governmental conference.

 

Prime Minister Janez Janša and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo: Thierry Monasse/STA)

 

"The meeting lasted into the early hours of the morning; however, the result is good, particularly as it clears the way for our presidency next year," said the Slovenian PM early in the morning.

 

In accordance with the agreement, the Portuguese Presidency is to convene an inter-governmental conference on 23 and 24 July, where work on the text of a new treaty will begin. Mr Janša also said that the work should be concluded by the end of 2007 at the latest, with the first discussions being held at an informal EU meeting in October.

 

According to Mr Janša, if the mandate of the inter-governmental conference is performed in line with the decision, the member states will receive a document that will not differ significanlty from the text of the Treaty establishing a Consitution for Europe. "The new text will omit some symbolic elements, and downsize some formulations, but the key institutional solutions will remain," said the PM, adding that there would be a delay in implementing some measures. "The treaty still includes practically all of the common value basis of the EU," emphasised the PM.

 

The PM also said that a compromise had been reached with Poland stipulating that the double majority principle would be implemented only in 2014, and that until March 2017 every member will have the right to demand the decision-making procedure as laid down in the Treaty of Nice if it considers the old principle more favourable. According to the PM, compromise does not reduce the key value of the treaty, but was needed because of the Polish position on the issue.