The Portuguese Presidency should open the Ministerial sessions of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

The next IGC will be opened on the 23rd July and the European Movement International (EMI) appeals on the Portuguese Presidency, the EU governments, the European Parliament and the Commission to open its Ministerial sessions.

“We know that the purely legalistic and technical sessions of lawyers, do not necessarily need to be monitored by the public. But the most political debates during the IGC, where crucial decisions are taken, need public scrutiny,” said Pat Cox, the President of the European Movement.

“This would help media and the general public to understand what these negotiations are about. It would disclose the real positions of the various governments and help end the speculations.”

“It would be a good start for the Portuguese Presidency and would add legitimacy to the process that, compared to the European Convention, loses on the involvement of parliaments, civil society and openness,” concluded Pat Cox.

ENDS

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The full text of the EMI’s position on the Reform Treaty and the IGC is available here (PDF)