Leaders sidestep tough decisions to help wounded PM

Cannes Summit: Major and friends

ANDREW MARSHALL

Cannes

John Major received a helping hand and effusive praise from France and Germany yesterday after an EU summit where both ensured he was not backed into a corner.

In particular, he was not forced to compromise over a deal to set up a new EU police agency. "I am very pleased with the agreement," the Prime Minister said yesterday after the Cannes summit. With no pressure from the EU's main powers, he was given an easy time.

"Given the difficult political situation, we felt that we should not make life more difficult for Great Britain," said the French President, Jacques Chirac, who praised the Prime Minister. "John Major represents modern and traditional Britain with considerable flair and skill,' he said.

It has also emerged that Helmut Kohl sent Mr Major a message of support. "Did you receive my message?" the German leader asked. Mr Major laughed and said. "Yes I did, thank you very much." Both are evidently keen to help prevent Mr Major's replacement by a more right wing, anti-European premier.

The summit ended with several of the most important issues resolved - but in ways that fell far short of a final decision. With Britain in the throes of a political crisis the summit observed one of the basic rules of European diplomacy: if you cannot agree, put off the decision.

Europol, the EU's police agency, will finally go into operation. But the trickiest question - whether disputes over its operation should be resolved by the European Court of Justice - was left open, to be decided next year. However, Mr Major warned: "The delay ... should not encourage anyone to anticipate a change in the UK position."

The Prime Minister said the convention to create Europol was crucial. "We need that convention to tackle cross-border crime and in particular drug trafficking." But, he added: "That convention mustn't be a backdoor for enlarging the competence of the ECJ."

Several of the smaller EU nations appeared upset at the way Mr Major was given an easy ride. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg pushed hard to get the court's role accepted, and were angry that no resolution was reached.

The summit was notable for avoiding any big rifts, but it hardly represented the decisive step forward which President Chirac had wanted. He put jobs at the top of the agenda, but beyond rhetoric the summit did little.

There was agreement to push ahead with Trans-European Networks, the EU's multi-billion pound transport and communication schemes, but no concrete decisions. The summit did set out EU aid for central and eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and developing countries, a long-running problem. But again, there was little pressure on Britain, which had resisted an increased in payments.

Europe's relationship with its neighbours to the east assumed a lower profile. A trade agreement with Russia, long held up by Chechnya, should go through next month - but it may be delayed until September. The EU held a parallel meeting with central and eastern European states which centred on a plan to bring them in line with rules on the single market.

France's tenure as president of the EU was interrupted by a break for elections. The EU will now be chaired by Spain for the next six months, a period that will see vital decisions on the reform of the Maastricht treaty and monetary union. But Spain, too, seems likely to hold elections: domestic politics and Europe will once more collide.