On 15 April 2002, Convention Members from various political backgrounds came together to found the Intergroup European Constitution within the Constitutional Convention. An Intergroup is an informal, cross-party discussion forum on a specific subject, an example being the very successful and well-known Intergroup "European Constitution" within the European Parliament.

As Alain Lamassoure MEP explained in the first meeting, the Intergroup aims at being an open forum for all Convention Members and Observers who support an Constitutional initiative as a result of the ongoing Convention.

The initiators of the meeting explained: "The strengthening of the European Union both internally and externally with regards to its impending enlargement requires an ambitious institutional reform. The Convention on the Future of Europe ... has to become in our view the main driving force for the elaboration of a European constitutional project. We are convinced that the success of this grand enterprise depends on the political will of the Convention. This presupposes the mobilisation of all those wanting to create a true political Union, endowed with democratic foundations, a capacity to act effectively, inspired by the Community or Federal method."

The Intergroup will meet from now on always at 6.30 pm on the first day of the Convention sessions. As the meetings are open to the public, visitors and observers are therefore very much welcome.

For further information on the Intergroup meetings and the agenda please check www.constitutional-convention.net or contact its Secretariat at intergroup@constitutional-convention.net