If it were to be confirmed that Mr Barnier has become the French Foreign Minister – which I regard as good news – I would be glad if, because of its importance, his position in the Intergovernmental Conference were to be reallocated to President Prodi himself in the next few months, in order thereby to underline the fact that the Commission, too, is right behind the process.
S’il devait se confirmer que M. Barnier sera bien le ministre français des affaires étrangères - ce que je considère comme une bonne nouvelle -, je serais content que le président Prodi lui-même prenne, en raison de son importance, sa place à la Conférence intergouvernementale pendant les six prochains mois, et ce afin de montrer que la Commission soutient elle aussi ce processus.
