Sarkozy-Barrosso meeting in Brussels proves ultimate futility of Strasbourg - Duff

9.45.47am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd May 2007

Commenting on Commission President Barroso's meeting with newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Brussels today, Andrew Duff MEP, Leader of the Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Party, said:

"President Sarkozy is going to Brussels today to meet President Barroso. Mr Barroso is leaving Strasbourg this morning, where the Parliament is in plenary session, to get back to Brussels in time to greet Mr Sarkozy. Mr Barroso therefore misses important business in the Parliament. Nicolas Sarkozy is the President of France. Strasbourg is a French city. Nothing could show off more clearly the ultimate futility of Strasbourg as a seat of the Parliament than this circus whereby the President of France can't come to a French city, apparently the official seat of the European Parliament, to meet the President of the European Commission. Why are we here at all?"

ENDS