92002E0076

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0076/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(25 January 2002)

Subject: Statements by the Commission President in Madrid

The Spanish newspapers have recently published such headlines as Prodi defends Aznar's right to deny the regions representation in Europe and Prodi supports the Government and says the regions will not be represented in the EU, in the wake of President Prodi's reported position on the current controversy within the Spanish state, where the central government, with the Prime Minister at the forefront, is refusing the regions the right to be represented at meetings of the Council of Ministers, even though this right is laid down in the Treaty of Amsterdam and is recognised in practice by other Member States.

Has Mr Prodi taken such a position in reality? If so, on what grounds is he entering a controversy in which the nationalities and regions of the Spanish state are simply defending their constitutional rights rights which are in any case validated by the EU Treaties?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2002)

The Commission recalls that the President of the Commission committed himself to involve more the regional and local level, in EU policy shaping and implementation, as stated in the White Paper on Governance(1). Furthermore, the President underlined that the participation of Members of the Committee of Regions in the Convention will allow them to contribute to the debate on the future of Europe.

Finally, the Commission recalls that Article 203 of the EC Treaty states that the Council shall consist of a representative of each Member State at ministerial level, authorised to commit the Government of that Member State. Subject to this provision, it is for each Member State to decide on its representation at Council meetings, which differs from one Member State to another and on which the Community can not intervene.

(1) OJ C 287, 12.10.2001.