Gevallen eurocommissaris Edith Cresson verdedigt zich tegen beschuldigingen (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Former commissioner Edith Cresson, the woman at the centre of nepotism and mismanagement allegations that brought down the previous Commission, will be meeting tomorrow the European Commissioners to present her side of the story.

Ms Cresson is being asked to explain allegations in a closed hearing which could give rise to possible proceedings at the European Court of Justice, if she is found to have acted against her obligations as a commissioner.

The purpose of this meeting will be for the EU executive to determine whether further steps need to be taken.

The European Commission could decide to take the case to the European Court of Justice, which would lead to her being deprived of her pension rights, or "if it is felt that her explanations are satisfactory then they will just bring the procedure to an end", Eric Mamer, the Commission spokesperson for administrative reform said.

The European Commission is stressing that tomorrow's hearing is separate from procedures going through Belgian jurisdiction over whether there are grounds for opening criminal proceedings against her.

"European Commissioners, like all citizens, have to respect Belgian legislation but also have a certain number of obligations specific to them which are defined in the treaty", Mr Mamer added.

Belgian court asked to dismiss the case

Belgian prosecutors on Tuesday asked a Belgian court to dismiss the case against Ms Cresson over lack of evidence and a decision is expected on Wednesday.

Although many of the charges against Ms Cresson have been dropped, Brussels prosecutors had wanted Ms Cresson to be charged with signing 13 false mission orders to employ her former dentist Rene Berthelot to the tune of 150,000 euro, AFP reported.

"I'm particularly happy at what was said today", Ms Cresson was quoted as saying.

"The prosecution has dismantled all the rumours, the false noises, the lies and calumnies that were against me, against my department and against some of my colleagues who were unfairly pursued", she said.

Edith Cresson also said she saw no reason why the Commission had to resign en masse in 1999 following the allegations against her, Reuters said.

The European Commission however stressed on Tuesday that the Commission's resignation in 1999 was not over the respect of Belgian criminal law but over the allegations which were analysed by the so-called "wise men" in their report in 1999.

Ms Cresson was denied the possibility of holding a press conference at the Commission after her meeting with the Commissioners.

"If Madame Cresson wants to organise a press conference, she's quite free to do so outside of Commission premises", Eric Mamer said.