(2021-0245-F) Clinton and Prodi correspondence

The materials in FOIA 2021-0245-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. The researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for memorandum of conversation and memorandum of telephone conversation between the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi and President Clinton. Memorandum of conversation are often called memcon and memorandum of telephone conversation are frequently referred to as telcon. Records released in this collection include press statements, talking points, administrative records relating to drafting and routing documents, and draft agenda. Romano Prodi was appointed as President of the European Commission September 16, 1999. This collection dates from September 1999 to January 2001. The European Commission (EC) is the governing body for the European Union (EU). It is not unusual to see the terms used interchangeably in American vernacular. The EC is governed by 27 commissioners. Every five years the European Council proposes a president as well as a new slate of commissioners to the European Parliament for consideration. Following a vote by the parliament the European Council appoints the commissioners. The EC has offices, called Directorate-Generals, across Europe and focuses on strategy and policy, law, budgets and funding, international relations, and finally political priorities for the whole of Europe. Romano Prodi was Prime Minister of Italy from May 18, 1996 to October 21, 1998. He then was nominated to be President of the EC and appointed to that post on September 16, 1999. He served as President of the EC until November 21, 2004. Prodi would later serve as Prime Minister of Italy for a second term between 2006 and 2008. A significant number of records in this collection remain closed for national security reasons.