Dear Europeans,

On 21 and 22 March the Constitutional Convention met for the second time, slowly developing its profile and gaining independence from the European Council. It adopted the internal rules of procedures, including many of the amendments proposed. The discussion about these technical formalities proves that the work of the Convention is taken very seriously and gives hope that the substantial, political discussion is about to start now. The working methods having now been fixed means that the Convention members now have time and space to work on their initial mandate: to transform the European Union into a democratic and efficient political system.

The second meeting of the Convention was especially remarkable for one fact: the Convention members realised that enlargement is no longer a long-term vision but today's reality - not only in political, but very much in practical terms: the representation of the future EU members in the Presidium has therefore been a very important issue - discussed within the Presidium as well as during the following plenary session. Finally, it has been decided to add one Presidium member representing the candidate countries, though having no voting right. Concerning the representation of candidate countries at the administrative level, it was decided that an expert on applicant countries will work in the secretariat of the Convention. The tricky question of whether translation of the Convention proceedings is to be provided is still to be agreed upon, an issue which needs to be discussed very obviously in the various other EU bodies as well.

As the last meeting of the Convention, the fourth edition of the Convention-Bulletin focuses on the candidate countries, and especially on the debate in Bulgaria. In an interview, Mrs Meglena Kouvena, Bulgaria’s chief EU negotiator and Deputy Foreign Minister, presents her position on the role of candidate countries in the Convention and the public debate in Bulgaria as such. Several articles by Bulgarian youth organisations demonstrate that many young people in this country have their own ideas on the Convention and that the Future of Europe is no longer a topic for western European countries only. In this edition, you'll also find some news on the Youth Contact Group, composed by the main youth political organisations in Europe. Finally, some links will guide you to the latest news around the Convention itself and the Youth Convention planed in July 2002.

If you want to comment any of these issues, if you want to contribute to the Discussion on the Future of Europe, we now offer you a new service: join our online discussion forum at http://www.constitutional-convention.net/ Contributions to the Bulletin itself are also welcome. The next edition will be dedicated to the topic the Convention discusses in its third session: "The Union’s Mission". Send your contribution to mailto:contributions@constitutional-convention.net (deadline for the 6th issue is 15 April), or make a submission using the form online.

Best European greetings,

Your Editors