Madam President, after the President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Gama, and having listened to Mr Napolitano, chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, who had questions for the Commission in particular, I, in turn, would like to share with you the Commission' s thoughts on the eve of this important European Council in Feira, but first I must present President Prodi' s apologies. I am speaking on his behalf.
Fru formand, efter formanden for Rådet, minister Gama, og efter at have sørget for at lytte til udvalgsformand Napolitano, som især henvendte sig til Kommissionen, vil jeg nu give Dem Kommissionens opfattelse forud for dette vigtige Europæiske Råd i Feira, dog ikke uden først at overbringe Dem en personlig undskyldning fra formand Prodi, på hvis vegne jeg her udtaler mig.