Foreign ministers meeting in Evian were quick to pour cold water. The idea had no official standing, spluttered Joschka Fischer, Bonn-Berlin's answer to Robin Cook. Mr Prodi got on the blower, too. EU applicant countries should be reassured. It needs democratic involvement.
Enlargement is everybody's concern.
We are in favour. Democracy is messy, Mr Prodi, and anxiety-inducing. But far better that than apathy and alienation.