The European Union's head office made its boldest move yet to assert its authority over euro-using countries, deciding on Tuesday to take finance ministers to court for letting Germany and France violate budget rules. 

A sharply divided European Commission took the unprecedented step despite warnings about negative repercussions for the 15-nation bloc, still struggling to revive a sluggish economy and smarting from the political divide over Iraq and attempts to adopt a new constitution.

Germany immediately called the legal challenge "hard to comprehend," arguing it could slow European integration just as 10 new members are to join in May.

"It would be more helpful to aim for cooperation rather than confrontation," German Finance Minister Hans Eichel said in Berlin.

French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin also stood by the finance ministers' decision as "clearly" legal and said he was "not worried about the outcome." But he added: "I don't want a polemic, 2004 has to be a strong year for Europe."

He spoke after meeting in Brussels with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who also criticized the Commission's move.

"I don't think it's a good thing we have a fight at a time we have to work together," Verhofstadt said.

Commission officials insisted they had to act to preserve their role as guardian of the EU treaties, which are adopted unanimously by EU governments.

"I firmly believe that we are a community of law," said Commission President Romano Prodi. The decision to mount a legal challenge was adopted "in that spirit," he said.

(China Daily January 15, 2004)