EUROPEAN CONVENTION: BRITAIN AND SPAIN OUTLINE POSITION ON INSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

• Position: Brief Article

In anticipation of the European Convention debate on reform of the institutions, scheduled for April, the British and Spanish Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Jose Maria Aznar, presented a joint contribution on February 28 which bears a close resemblance to the Franco-German position on two key points - the appointment of a full-time President of the European Council for a long-term mandate, and the appointment of a European Foreign Minister - but differs on another crucial aspect. London and Madrid are refusing to accept the election of the European Commission's President by the European Parliament, a notion defended by...