Sir, - President Chirac of France has recently brought forward proposals concerning the reform of existing EU. treaties, primarily because France has recently assumed the presidency of the European Union.
Chirac has stated that he supports the principle of "enhanced co-operation" with regard to the implementation of various EU policy programmes. In essence, what he is really saying is that he supports the building of a two-speed Europe. This means that some member states, including France, would integrate more closely within the European Union at the expense of smaller member-states.
I reject this approach for the following reasons:
It would fly in the face of the principles laid down in various EU treaties enacted to date.
Any reform of EU policies must protect the principle of "institutional equality". This means that the voices of smaller member-states must be protected as new changes occur in EU institutions. This must also mean that Ireland retains the right to nominate a member of the European Commission.
The European Commission is still a very important institution as it controls the administration of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Transport Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy and EU Competition Policy.
Even the United States of America gives smaller states the same recognition in the Senate as larger ones.
On important decisions in the field of taxation, it is very important that smaller member-states retain the right to veto any tax changes at an EU level. We do not want to build a Europe of the haves and the have-nots. Chirac's policy programme, if implemented , would only weaken the position of smaller member-states. This would have a very negative effect on the overall development of the European Union, particularly, in the context of EU enlargement. - Yours, etc.,
Brian Crowley MEP, Bandon, Co Cork.