Dear Europeans,

The Convention on the future of Europe has now produced the draft articles for two thirds of the new Constitution. The first sixteen articles drew more than 1000 amendments, and it is certain that there will be many more submitted on the second set of articles, released two weeks ago. However, the real negotiations on the details are now starting. At the so-called “informal” plenary session of 5 March, Convention members began the difficult task of trying to find concrete agreements on the texts. These extra plenaries are essential if the Convention is to manage to stick to its original timetable of finishing its work before the summer.

“I liked the new definition of federalism I heard yesterday: united in freedom. That was well said.”
Marta Fogler, representative of the Polish parliament to the Convention (alternate), Plenary session, 27 February 2003

“Mr President, codifying is an essential function of the process of drafting the constitution. If we are not codifying we are not drafting a constitution. If we are not drafting a constitution, what on earth are we doing?”

Andrew Duff MEP, representative of the European Parliament to the Convention, Plenary session, 27 February 2003

JEF - I would like to start with a general question – as representative of the Hungarian government, are you happy with the Convention’s work so far?

Balazs - Yes. Definitely yes. It has a very interesting composition of parliamentarians and government representatives, an efficient exchange of views is taking place and I think the first results are very reasonable. We have started drafting the constitutional treaty. I really enjoy the meetings. More particularly I meet other government representatives, we have joint dinners, joint breakfasts, and so on. I think it’s a very good thing and a good way to try to find new solutions.

JEF - What would be your first five priorities for the outcome of the Convention?

Balazs - The first and utmost priority is efficiency, the efficiency of the Union. The second one is simplicity, simplification. The third one: democracy, the equality of member states, and in every respect. The fourth point would be for me the definition of the mixed character of the Union which is a fact of life. Being composed of Community and intergovernmental elements, it is quite natural to shape the coexistence of the Union and member states. And my fifth priority would be an increased international role for the Union

JEF - There has been a long discussion about whether to include the Charter of Fundamental Rights at the beginning of the Constitution. This is not foreseen in the first articles,it is foreseen only as an annex. Are you happy with this solution or would you prefer to see the rights of the citizens put in a more prominent place at the beginning of the Constitution?

Summary sheet of the proposals for amendments to the protocol on the role of national parliaments in the European Union (CONV 579/03, Annex III)

To find a summary of the ammendments to the first 16 articles, see: http://register.consilium.eu.int/pdf/en/03/cv00/cv00611en03.pdf

The website of the Convention forum will soon implement a section dedicated to documents related to the articles elaborated within the framework of the future constitution as well as to the comments made about these articles by organisations participating in the Forum. You can have temporary access to the suggestions mentioned above on:
http://europa.eu.int/futurum/forum_convention/comm_fr.htm

Please do not hesitate to send your comments to: mailto:sg-forum-convention@cec.eu.int

Second National Youth Convention
8-9 May 2003
Helsinki, Finland

Background

In November 2002, the first Finnish National Youth Convention, a follow-up to the Brussels Youth Convention, gathered 120 young Finnish citizens to debate the future of Europe. Finnish European Convention representatives and other decision-makers were fully engaged in the event. As a result of its work, the Youth Convention produced a final report which was handed over to Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, Finnish MEPs and Convention members.

The first National Youth Convention was a success and a great experience for the participants, and a follow-up event was suggested. On 8-9 May 2003, the discussion will continue. The second national Youth Convention will be organised by Finnish Youth Co-operation Allianssi (the national youth council) and JEF-Finland. The event is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and the European Parliament Information Office in Finland.

Commentary on articles 24-33 from JEF Germany, see:

Download file

In November 2002 JEF Europe started the new project on the Future of Europe “Europe! – A Generation Ahead”. Apart from a large-scale meeting in Brussels in the end of November 2002, over 23 national debates have already taken place in the framework of this project. There will also be a second large-scale event, bringing together 200 young people from all over Europe, held in Athens in early April.

The European Constitution:

Summary proposals of the Forum:

1. Characteristics and values of the United Europe
2. Objectives
3. Fundamental rights and citizenship
4. Fundamental principles and competences

(as adopted by the Forum on 25 February 2003)

This document identifies:· the proposed amendments supported by the Forum;· "serious" omissions: topics which are neither covered by the text of the Praesidium nor by the amendments proposed;· draft proposals that combine the document of the Praesidium, the amendments proposed by certain Convention members and some of the amendments proposed by civil society; ten new items.

On the eve of the enlargement, it is the metamorphosis of the European Union which is being undertaken. The Forum takes a stand in favour of the adoption of a new name for the political body of States to be "refounded".

The Permanent Forum of Civil Society is proposing in particular to introduce the following ten new items in the Constitution:

FEDERALIST VOICE, the network of 14 European organisations in favour of a European Federal Constitution, will hold its next meeting on Tuesday 25 March 2003, from 15 h 00 – 16 h 30. The meeting will discuss common proposals and requests on:
- Articles 24-33 of the Constitutional Treaty
- Protocols on Subsidiarity / Proportionality and National Parliaments
The meeting will be held at the UEF-JEF secretariat, “Ancienne Nonciature”, 214 D Chaussée de Wavre, 1050 Brussels.

Contact: uef.european.federalists@skynet.be for more information.

Date : Wednesday 26 March 2003, from 7.00 pm to 8.45 pm

Venue : European Parliament , Brussels
Building Paul-Henri Spaak, Room P1A002 (1st floor), Rue Wiertz

Organised by : the Union of European Federalists (UEF supranational) in cooperation with UEF Groupe Europe and UEF Belgium with the support of : the European Commission

Participants : (+/- 200)

The public debate is open to everybody interested

The European Press will be invited to participate in the debate
Simultaneous interpretation will be available from German, Englisch and French into English and French

Free entrance, upon registration

The Women Citizens of Europe Network, RCE, is an organisation whose fundamental aims are to promote and support the exercise of the principle of Equal Opportunities between women and men, as one of the fundamental principle of a democratic Europe; and, therefore, we think that the active participation of the largest number of actors in this project is not only desirable, but fundamental.

Citizen involvement is an essential condition for the legal expression of all concerns. And in this sense, the participating attitude of European women and men is exemplary, and their contributions must necessarily be reflected in the constitutional text.

Only a dignified European Constitution can insure the future of the European Union: a future of freedom, equality, progress and solidarity. But, however, there are still many steps to be taken along the path towards a more democratic, more egalitarian Europe which is closer to its women and men citizens.

Third Chamber through the back-door?

PRESS RELEASE
Brussels/Strasbourg, 13 March 2003

During its meeting on March 13th in Strasbourg the Intergroup "European Constitution" in the European Parliament analysed the political contents of the draft protocols on the role of national Parliaments and the principle of subsidiarity which have been submitted by the presidium of the Convention. The Members of the European Parliament welcomed the fact that with these protocols the access to information by national parliaments about EU legislative proposals and the political strategy of the Union for is greatly improved.