Det er endda et formandskab, der stod i skyggen, eftersom det besluttede at holde sig udenfor i det afgørende øjeblik for den europæiske konstruktions videreførelse til den fælles valuta. Det gav ganske vist udtryk for sin støtte, men belavede sig i ro og mag på først at tilslutte sig, når man kender alle konsekvenserne.
We have witnessed an unenlightening Presidency, if we consider the goals that it has achieved only for the framework programme for research and development and the liberalisation of the gas and electricity market; it was a Presidency that was downright unilluminating when it decided to step aside at the decisive moment of the advancement of European construction to the single currency, giving of course its endorsement but comfortably preparing itself to adhere only when all the consequences are known.