22/5: Pat Cox discussions with Peter Hain, British politician and press proponents: distance between Institutions and citizens. Convention.
22/5: Cox discussions with Pier Ferdinando Casini (President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies) European Parliament (EP) has no objection to presence of national parliamentarians at Euro level forum. Casini against 2nd Chamber idea. Casini concerned about political situation in Europe. Casini says what is needed is more Europe not less. Cox in response to the balance after 4 months says that his first duty as President of EP is to (1) recognise enlargement as the most profound and immediate challenge (2) making EU less silent (3) to promote easy access between the 3 institutions’ presidents (4) state of internal structure of EP
23/5: Cox talks to "Il Messaggero" : journalist asks if the next president of the Council will be Tony Blair. Convention on the Future of Europe
23/5: Cox’s speech to African parliamentarians on the occasion of the Italy-Africa Parliamentary Day (Rome) touches on: Ireland’s 800 years under foreign domination. Language almost lost. Stresses importance of education
28/5: Cox’s meeting with Swedish PM, Goran Persson in Stockholm: Cyprus, immigration – need to combat trafficking. Idea of common EU approach for immigration/asylum based on humanitarian principles. Priority of enlargement – particularly with regard to Poland. EP can count on Sweden for support. Need to develop closer links with Russia, while offering Ukraine the possibility of closer ties with EU to prevent security problem at EU borders. Must stick to enlargement timetable. Situation in the candidate countries
29/5: Cox gives press conference: organise referendum on Nice Treaty in Ireland. Cox says he will launch vigorous campaign
29/5: Discussion between Cox and Neil Kinnock, European Commissioner: recruitment in the EP, staff rules, geographical balance
5/6: Cox interview with journalist Christian Wernicke on Seville European Council. Importance of EP’s role in EU decision making
15/6 : Meeting between Cox and Ambassador Schnabel, US representative to EU: Cyprus - US leverage on Ankara. Biotechnology and GMO’s - US favours "Non GMO labeling"
6/6 : Meeting between Cox and Nigel Sheinwald, UK Permanent Representative: UK hopes for something concrete from Convention and Council reform. Turkey – Cyprus situation
11/6: Cox interview with Otmar Lahodynsky of "New Europe" : rise of Euroscepticism. Asylum and immigration at top of agenda starting from Seville. Lack of leadership in EU. Populism plays on people’s fears. Time to seize the historic moment – time to recognise moral contract
13/6: Cox and Hans-Gert Pöttering, Leader of European Peoples Party (EPP) after his return from the US where he had met Bush’s chief of staff Andrew Card. Bush speech in Bundestag - made no mention of EU
13/6: Cox on "FAZ" article: genuine constitution. Economic integration

English

Textual