[Netherlands] European Union Talks with France

[Dutchy]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kingdom of the Netherlands​

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Recipient: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of France (Zak)
Cc: -
Subject: Technical Talks following the Grand European Summit
Attachment: Draft Treaty on the European Union
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Your Excellency,

I am contacting you today under the directive of Prime Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to convey our intention to invite your government to the Amsterdam Summit, to be organised in the next few months, where a Treaty on the European Union can be signed by all participants. A formal invitation will be sent at a later date.

Prior to the holding of the Amsterdam Summit, we are hoping to hold discussions with all prospective participants individually in order to discuss the current draft, hear your government’s position on various policy areas, and to address and desire for amendments and changes to the current draft.

I am aware form the transcripts that there were some heated discussions during the Grand European Summit, however I hope that constructive talks can be held regarding France's possible membership to any future European Union.

Attached to this message is the latest draft of the Treaty. I kindly request that you review this version and convey your position on the draft (whether that be in full agreement, or in the case that you have any changes to submit).

Additionally, I would kindly request that you answer the following questions in order to know your positions on some of the most critical provisions of the draft.

1. Do you agree with the current structure of the Union, that it will consist of:​

a. European Council (consisting of Heads of State or Government);
b. Council of the European Union (consisting of cabinet-level officials and lower level civil servants);
c. European Commission (which will support the President of the European Council in day-to-day administrative tasks), and;
d. European Court of Justice (to ensure the enforcement of European Law).​

2. Do you agree with the election procedure for the President of the European Council?​

a. Additionally, do you agree with the term-length and maximum number of terms for the President?​

4. Do you agree with the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union?
5. Do you agree with the provisions regarding European Law?
6. Do you agree with the legislative provisions regarding European Law?
7. Do you agree with the accession and withdrawal provisions?​

Yours Sincerely,

Atzo Nicolaï
Secretary of State for European Affairs

 

[Zak]

Government of France
Security Classification: ENCRYPTED​

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Dear Secretary Atzo Nicolaï,

It is a pleasure to hear from your office regarding French membership within the European Union, it is very much appreciated but we will be scrutinising the treaty over the coming days and weeks ahead before we give our final verdict. We will also only consider joining the European Union if the headquarters is located in Strasbourg as per the original poll result (before this was scrapped and replaced with another vote.) which is something that you can discuss with the Polish Government and should they be willing to allow the hosting of the headquarters in the French Republic, we shall further consider joining the organisation.

Regards,
Marine Le Pen
President of France
French Republic

Dutchy

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[Dutchy]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kingdom of the Netherlands​

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Recipient: President of France, Élysée Palace, Republic of France (Zak)
Cc: -
Subject: Technical Talks following the Grand European Summit
Attachment: -
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Madam President,

While the Netherlands was not present at the beginning of the Grand European Summits, we have had the opportunity to review the transcripts and we regret seeing the haste and chaos in those the early discussions. My government's position remains that the discussions regarding to the location of a headquarters should have been alloted more time to allow for propererly defined bids to be submitted. However, the Netherlands is not in a position to unilaterally revoke Poland of their current allotment, however, we do agree that this issue could be placed on the table during the Amsterdam Summit where a proper multilateral constructive discussion could take place to ensure that all parties can voice their positions.

I look forward to hearing back from you once your government has had the opportunity to properly review the draft treaty.

Yours Sincerely,

Atzo Nicolaï
Secretary of State for European Affairs

 

[Dutchy]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kingdom of the Netherlands​

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Recipient: Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, France (Alex)
Cc: -
Subject: Technical Talks following the Grand European Summit
Attachment: Draft Treaty on the European Union
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Your Excellency,

I am contacting you today under the directive of Prime Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to convey our intention to invite your government to the Amsterdam Summit, to be organised in the next few months, where a Treaty on the European Union can be signed by all participants. A formal invitation will be sent at a later date.

Prior to the holding of the Amsterdam Summit, we are hoping to hold discussions with all prospective participants individually in order to discuss the current draft, hear your government’s position on various policy areas, and to address and desire for amendments and changes to the current draft.

Attached to this message is the latest draft of the Treaty. I kindly request that you review this version and convey your position on the draft (whether that be in full agreement, or in the case that you have any changes to submit).

Additionally, I would kindly request that you answer the following questions in order to know your positions on some of the most critical provisions of the draft.

1. Do you agree with the current structure of the Union, that it will consist of:​

a. European Council (consisting of Heads of State or Government);
b. Council of the European Union (consisting of cabinet-level officials and lower level civil servants);
c. European Commission (which will support the President of the European Council in day-to-day administrative tasks), and;
d. European Court of Justice (to ensure the enforcement of European Law).​

2. Do you agree with the election procedure for the President of the European Council?​

a. Additionally, do you agree with the term-length and maximum number of terms for the President?​

4. Do you agree with the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union?
5. Do you agree with the provisions regarding European Law?
6. Do you agree with the legislative provisions regarding European Law?
7. Do you agree with the accession and withdrawal provisions?​

Yours Sincerely,

Atzo Nicolaï
Secretary of State for European Affairs

 

[Alex]

Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
Message to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Private & Encrypted

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To: Atzo Nicolai, Secretary of State for European Affairs
From: Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of European and Foreign Affairs

Dear Secretary Nicolai,

I am writing to you so that I may convey France's position on the draft of the Treaty on the European Union.

Overall, we are pleased with the provisions outlined in the draft treaty and believe that it represents a positive step forward to a unified Europe. However, I must note that there is one article within the draft treaty with which we have some concerns.

Specifically, we believe that the provisions related to the withdrawal of a potential EU nation is written purposely to make it as difficult as possible for said nation to do so. We would feel much more comfortable if this article was open to being edited so that the required vote percentage to withdraw was 51% majority, rather than 66%, and if the withdrawing state was able to attend the discussions to answer any questions or concerns from the voting parties.

We believe that this would make potential withdrawal as fair as possible.

Paris is eager to work with our fellow European states to address this issue and ensure that the final text of the treaty is one that we can all support.

I want to emphasize that our concerns about this one article should not be interpreted as a lack of support for the treaty as a whole. We believe that this treaty has the potential to make important contributions to the future of Europe and we are eager to attend the Amsterdam Summit.

We look forward to working with you and other member states to reach a positive outcome.

Kindest Regards,
Jean-Marc Ayrault
Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs
French Empire

Dutchy