The Young European Federalists welcome the launch of the Convention as an opportunity to secure an effective reform of the European Union.

We believe that the only solution for a more democratic, transparent, and effective Union, able to meet the challenges of enlargement, is the establishment of a European Federation. Thus we demand that the Convention takes the initiative to draft a genuine federal Constitution for the whole of Europe.

JEF believes that this Constitution must be made up of three elements:

* A binding Charter of Fundamental Rights

The Charter, as proclaimed in Nice in December 2000, must form a central part of a future European Constitution, and must be justiciable at the European Court of Justice.

* A new division of competences

This is necessary to make the Union more understandable to the citizens. It should be based on the principles of subsidiarity, closeness to the citizens, and efficiency. The Convention should establish a common framework for competences which distinguishes between exclusive European competences, those which remain at the national level, and those which will remain mixed competences. It should also protect the freedom of member states to define their own policies and legislation where appropriate.
Foreign and security policy should be a common policy of the Union. The Union must be equipped with power over its own resources, and the European Parliament must have full budgetary power.

* A completely reformed political structure

Legislation: should be carried out by the European Parliament and the Council acting by co-decision in all matters. The Council should become a genuine second chamber, representing the states.
Executive powers: the Council should be stripped of its executive role, and a reformed and accountable Commission should become the government of the Union. The President of the European Commission should be elected by the European Parliament.
Judicial powers: all European matters should lie under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

The Young European Federalists will therefore support any initiative taken within the Convention to establish a genuine federal Constitution for the European Union.