4 December 2003

Commenting on the latest developments in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and the recent debates in the European Parliament, the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) call on all pro-European leaders to bring the project to establish a European Constitution back from the brink.

"For members of JEF, like all of us with a real belief in European unity, the alarm bells are really ringing," stated Jon Worth, President of JEF-Europe.

"With less than 2 weeks to go before negotiations conclude, it looks like we are going to get an EU that is still unable to meet its citizens' needs."

"It seems the efforts made within the Convention to achieve a positive compromise are going to be ignored when it comes to key institutional issues."

"Arguing in favour of the Nice Council vote weightings, or for any reduction in the powers of the European Parliament, are totally unacceptable standpoints."

JEF-Europe has been campaigning for almost a decade for the drafting of a European Federal Constitution with the European Commission becoming a government for the EU, held to account by the democratically elected European Parliament.

"For those of us who have campaigned long and hard for a Constitution, the results of these negotiations could well be a bitter pill to swallow" continued Jon Worth.

"It's time for leadership, determination, and an understanding that if this Constitution is to justify its title a minimalist intergovernmental compromise is just not good enough."

Press Contact:
Jon Worth, President.
mailto:president@jef-europe.net
Tel: +32 485 449763
http://www.jef-europe.net/