Barroso tegen een debat over de geografische grenzen van de EU (en)
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso i has said he is against having a debate on the geographic borders of the EU.
His comments, made in an interview with French daily Le Figaro, come in response to Monday's proposal by French president Nicolas Sarkozy to have a "fundamental reflection" on the future of the EU, including its "borders, its future and its message."
"The idea of Mr Sarkozy is not to have a debate on the geographical borders of the Europe. This is something that we do not want - such a discussion would lead to the limits of the EU being fixed," said Mr Barroso.
He reiterated Brussels' position that a decision on Turkey becoming a full member of the EU should not be taken now, with Mr Sarkozy making a debate on the future of Europe a condition for Paris not blocking Brussels' EU negotiations with Ankara.
But he went on to add that having a debate on the "political objective of Europe" is a "good idea."
He noted that a discussion on the future of Europe in the globalised world had already begun in October 2005 at an informal meeting of leaders in the UK.
"If member states want a more structured form for these exchanges, that is all well and good."
Mr Barroso said an external contribution, possibly from universities, to the debate would be "positive" but pointed out that "democratic decisions will always have to be taken by the institutions."
The commission president, who will meet Mr Sarkozy in Paris today, praised the commission president for his "European commitment."
He noted that they are "not necessarily in agreement on everything" but added "I prefer a political leader who proves their energy rather than a leader just satisfied by a bureaucratic and routine Europe."
Since France's energetic new leader came to power in June, the EU has seen a revival in its political dynamic, starting off with an agreement on a new treaty after two years of stagnation.
But Mr Sarkozy's presence on the European stage has also ruffled a few feathers. He is strongly opposed to Turkey's membership of the EU - the debate of the future of Europe that he is pushing for is part of an overall idea to get people talking about membership alternatives for Ankara.
He has also caused tension with other member states such as Germany by appearing to want curb to the independence of the European Central Bank.