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.

“We want a Europe that is strong, not weak. Europe that builds unity without blurring differences."

"When bringing up fundamental questions regarding the political shape of the future European Union, we are moving in the sphere of our political
imagination. The latter, in turn, should never lose sight of the goals the European Union set itself many years ago. Those goals were: peace, freedom, prosperity, security and solidarity. Only when respecting these values, we will be able to build up the European organism and to gain our citizens' trust. We can't help dreaming. Our peoples need hope and optimism of the future."

Contribution of Mr. Józef Oleksy, Representative of the Polish Sejm in the Convention on the Future of Europe, Brussels, 2002, March 21st

Ms Kouneva, you are the official representative of the Bulgarian government in the Convention. What is your opinion on the Convention process?

The establishment of a Convention of representatives of the European institutions, the current and the future EU Member States is an attempt to find an answer to a number of challenges that Europe and the European Union are facing.

Following its inaugural session, the European Convention begann its work
last 21 and 22 March. Starting with the initial question asked by the
President of the Convention, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, "What do you expect from Europe?", more than 80 interventions were the occasion to make a first round. based on the model of the European Convention, the Youth Convention will take place next July 9 and 10. The next sessions will tackle the missions of the Union.

Report of the last session (in English)
http://www.theepc.be/europe/strand_one_detail.asp?STR_ID=1&TWSEC=Convention%20Intelligence&TWDOSS=&REFID=736

A more detailed report on the last session of the European Convention (but only in french so far, soon in English)
http://www.ciginfo.net/demain/fr/default.htm

For more information read:

Preparing the Council for Enlargement
Report by Javier Solana
Secretary-General of the council of the European Union
http://ue.eu.int/pressdata/EN/reports/69889.pdf

The European Youth Forum is very pleased about its meeting with Convention Vice-President Jean-Luc Dehaene this Tuesday (26 March). Henrik Söderman, President of the European Youth Forum said that he was “encouraged by the fact that Mr Dehaene underlined the need and opportunity for youth organisations to contribute to the Convention and its work through different channels, including further meetings with the Vice-President. We will be participating in the discussion on the future of Europe through the Civil Society Forum and hopefully in hearings of the different working groups of the Convention.”

The representatives of the European Youth Forum and its member organisations of the Youth NGO Contact Group expressed at the meeting with Mr. Dehaene that they welcomed the idea of holding a Youth Convention and underlined the importance of the nomination of participants being an open, transparent and justifiable process.

Resolution adopted by the Federal Committee of JEF Europe, meeting in
Budapest, 22-24 March 2002

The Federal Committee of JEF Europe:

Warmly welcomes the involvement of candidate countries in the Convention on the Future of Europe, established in the Laeken Declaration, as evidence of the EU's commitment to a successful Enlargement; as an opportunity for newcomers to find their place in the ever-larger Union through their own initiative; and as a recognition that the future of Europe belongs to all the peoples of Europe;

The integration of Bulgaria in the European Union, as well as the role of the country in the European Convention, is an important element in the programmes of many Bulgarian youth organizations and parties at the moment. At present, it enjoys the support of Bulgarian society and full political consensus.

The analysis of the concrete situation in what has been done from YOs to popularise the work of the Convention and the European integration as a whole, leads to the following principal conclusions and observations

A short summary of the political career of the President of the Convention.

Valery Giscard d’Estaing, commonly referred to in France by his three initials (VGE) was born in Koblenz (germany) on 2. February 1926. Before being president of France (1974-1981), VGE occupied several functions, as a member of the national assembly but also as a minister. After defeating the socialist Francois Mitterrand he returned to the national assembly (84-89) and played a major role in unifying france’s right wing.

Before being elected member of the european Parliament in 1989 (European People’s Party) and President of the council of European municipalities and Regions in 2001, it must not be forgotten that VGE played also a crucial role in several european initiatives, among which were:
- creation of the european council, first in Paris in 1974.
- Election by universal suffrage of the European Parliament (decision of the Council of Ministers of the EEC in 1976; first elections in Europe in June 79)
- Creation of the European monetary system