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EUROPE'S new foreign policy supremo yesterday backed the controversial idea of the European Union having its own seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Javier Solana, the former Nato Secretary-General now charged with forging a common European foreign and security policy, expressed broad support for an Italian proposal that would effectively create an EU seat on the council in addition to those of Britain and France. "I think it is a good idea but we need time to have the possibility of turning that into reality," he said. "I think it would be a step in the right direction".
Señor Solana and his spokeswoman emphasised that such a reform was not a priority and could only happen through consent, but his comments are nevertheless likely to cause concern in London, Paris and Washington.
Britain and France know that any reform of the Security Council would inevitably call into question their privileged position as permanent members along with America, Russia and China. The present make-up dates from the immediate aftermath of the Second World War and looks increasingly anachronistic given the rise of economic powers such as Germany and Japan.
Keith Vaz, Britain's Minister for Europe, responded coolly to the idea. "It's not on the agenda," he said.
America would be nervous of any move that could be seen as bolstering the EU's strength and influence at Nato's expense. It also believes Europe is already over-represented in international forums.
Señor Solana was speaking after Pat Cox, leader of the Liberal Democrat group of MEPs and the European Parliament's next president, said next year's inter-governmental conference of EU member states should tackle Europe's representation on the Security Council. Mr Cox, an Irishman, said it would not be realistic to expect Britain and France to give up their seats, but told journalists: "If there's a new seat and there's one for the EU, that would be for Solana."
Señor Solana predicted that it would take "some time to see the Security Council adapted to the new reality" of the post-Cold War world and that any reform should proceed "by consensus and unanimity".