Quote of the Week "My fear is that it [the Constitution] will end up small fry because the sharks encircling it [ie. EU member states] will end up eating all its flesh."
[Giorgio Napolitano, Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Commission in the European Parliament, European Parliament, Brussels, 5th November 2003.]
Indicative Timetable of the IGC While the IGC is continuing, finally an indicative timetable for the meetings is available.
To read the indicative timetable:
http://www.constitutional-convention.net/bulletin/archives/igc_calendar.pdf
Draft Constitution as a HTML Document In order to facilitate the reading of the draft Constitutional Treaty, the Futurum team has created a HTML version of this document, available in English and in French, at the following address:
http://europa.eu.int/futurum/constitution/index_en.htm
Opinion of the European Parliament on the opening of the IGC The European Parliament,
1. Welcomes the progress in the European integration and democratic development represented by the Convention's proposed "Constitution for Europe", to be established through an appropriate Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, this one being the text expressing the political will of the European citizens and the Member States in a solemn and comprehensive way;
2. Notes with satisfaction that the draft Constitution has entrenched to an important extent the values, objectives, principles, structures and institutions of Europe's constitutional heritage and has in that way given to the Draft to a great degree not only the quality of a constitutional text but also the capability of its continuous evolution;
3. Welcomes the inclusion of the symbols of the Union in the draft Constitution;
To see the position of the European Parliament, click: http://europa.eu.int/futurum/documents/other/oth100903_en.pdf
Opinion of the European Commission on the opening of the IGC A CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNION
Opinion of the Commission, pursuant to Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union, on the Conference of representatives of the Member States’ governments convened to revise the Treaties Introduction
The “draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe” prepared by the Convention is designed to replace the Treaties on which the Union is based, and thus follows a constitutional course. It is therefore a key step in European integration, which still preserves the achievements of 50 years of integration. The institutional architecture remains essentially rooted in the Community method, the scope of which has been extended.
The Constitution will represent the culmination of a broad and profound debate on the future of the Union, set in motion by the Nice European Council, which has proved a very fruitful enterprise. Convened by the Laeken European Council to examine the essential questions concerning the future development of the Union and to seek various possible responses, the Convention has exceeded expectations by formulating a draft Constitution for Europe.
To see the position of the European Commission, click: http://europa.eu.int/futurum/documents/other/oth170903_2_en.pdf
Opinion of the European Central Bank on the opening of the IGC 19 September 2003
at the request of the Council of the European Union on the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe
[...]
B. General considerations
4. The ECB welcomes the draft Constitution, which simplifies, streamlines and clarifies the legal and institutional framework of the European Union. It enhances the Union's ability to act at both the European and the international level and, therefore, is an important step in preparing the Union for the future, as requested by the Laeken Declaration.
5. The ECB understands that the transfer of the provisions on the ECB and the ESCB from the EC Treaty to the Constitution will not entail any changes to the substance, and that the tasks, mandate, status and legal regime of the ECB and of the ESCB remain substantially unchanged. Whilst the ECB attaches great value to institutional and operational stability in the monetary domain, it is also aware of the fact that a new constitution has necessary implications to the institutional framework. The ECB considers that the adjustments and updates that the current constitutional process envisages do not affect that stability.
To see the position of the European Central Bank, click: http://europa.eu.int/futurum/documents/other/oth190903_en.pdf
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Opening of the IGC 1. European Economic and Social Committee's main recommendations to the IGC
1.1 The draft constitutional Treaty is the fruit of a democratic, transparent and open process which will leave its mark on history. It stipulates that any changes will henceforth be made by a Convention or at the very least, where less fundamental alterations are involved, after consulting the European Parliament. This method has demonstrated its effectiveness: the draft does in fact afford genuine value added for the public in terms of readability, simplification, a higher profile for the Union and democratisation.
1.1.1 What is at stake next is to establish, on a permanent basis, but also with a view to revising the constitutional Treaty, procedures securing more public involvement and more structured dialogue with civil society organisations. This is the only way to confer greater legitimacy on the Union and make civil dialogue work, based on the principle of participatory democracy.
To see the position of the European Parliament, click: http://europa.eu.int/futurum/documents/other/oth240903_en.pdf
Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions on the Opening of the IGC The Committee of the Regions
[...]
1.1 views decision-making close to the citizen as the necessary counterbalance and complement to the general trend of globalisation;
1.2 deems that in an enlarged Union, European integration should no longer be restricted to economic cooperation, but should, increasingly, entail political decision-making where account is taken of the views of local and regional authorities, because this process generally has an impact on every sphere of government;
1.3 believes that for local and regional authorities to participate fully in the European decisionmaking process for which they have responsibility for implementation, they need to be well informed of current developments and adequate prior consultation is essential;
To see the position, click: http://europa.eu.int/futurum/documents/other/oth091003_en.pdf
Resolutions from the JEF Congress, Stockholm All of the policy resolutions from the JEF-Europe Congress can be found at http://www.jef-europe.net/policies/ Of particular relevance to readers of this Bulletin is EP 01 which concerns JEF’s analysis of the Convention result.
European Youth Forum Press Releaser - Open The Doors to the Intergovernmental Conference The European Youth Forum, in the light of the results of its EU-Affairs Commission (EUACOM) advisory body, urges the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to work in an open and transparent manner. Decisions affecting the lives of millions of the Union’s citizens cannot be made behind closed doors. As the Convention method has shown, openness of the negotiations leads to a balanced compromise, which is in the interest of Europe. The Youth Forum therefore calls for a clear and participative process that involves public consultation of IGC documents as well as regular reports on the outcome of meetings.
To read the entire press release, click: http://www.youthforum.org/en/press/press_releases/0673-03%20IGC.pdf
Young Liberals call for a more open, democratic and stronger Europe This statement has been adopted by the presidents and high representatives of the LYMEC Member Organisations gathered in Rome from the 2nd-5th of October 2003 for the LYMEC Young Leaders Meeting - YLM.
It is neither coincidental nor insignificant that the LYMEC Young Leaders Meeting is taking place at the exact same time and location – Rome – as the opening of the Intergovernmental Conference – the IGC.
Fundamental changes and challenges:
The Enlargement and the work of the Convention on the Future of Europe have signalled innovation and new dynamics in the European Union.
However, we do not believe that the EU can now rest on its laurels; the hard work and the drive for reforms have to continue.
We consider the following to be the main challenges facing the European Union:
- Opening up the European Union
The Enlargement has not been completed yet. All European countries must be given the possibility to join the European Union as soon as they fulfil the Copenhagen criteria. The current members of the European Union must accept the new member countries as their equals. There must not be groups of “first and second class” European citizens. We oppose any kind of transition periods imposing obstacles to free movement of labour force between current Member States and accessing countries.
We are against “Fortress Europe”. Europe must adopt a common immigration and asylum policy as this is a matter that needs to be dealt with at European level in order to ensure that the EU countries do not export social problems among themselves and to protect the individual and human rights of those individuals seeking a new life in the EU.
- Increasing the EU´s democratic potential
The new European Constitution should reflect the outcome of the Convention on the Future of Europe.
We consider the Convention to be a much more democratic and transparent method than the IGC, since it involves not only national governments, but also national parliaments and EU institutions. Crucial decisions for the future of EU citizens cannot be made behind closed doors and out of the democratic control of the people.
Although we realize that the Treaty establishing the Constitution for Europe is not perfect, we are of the opinion that it represents the best possible compromise for the future of Europe.
This is why the IGC should respect the work of the Convention and not open the chapters on which the Convention achieved agreement. We see the opening of these chapters as a threat to democracy and a degradation of the work of the Convention.
- Strengthening the EU
We want a stronger Europe and we believe this can be achieved by adopting a truly unified European foreign and security policy that would enable Europe to become an important and independent global player. To this end, we also feel that the European Union should have its own military forces.
We support a clearer federal structure and a clearer division of tasks and responsibilities between the EU and its member countries, as well as a stronger role in Europe given to the sub-national level. A weak European Union that interferes with too many matters that can easily be dealt with at national level will be a useless one.
We accept the challenges:
LYMEC, European Liberal Youth accepts these challenges. We see the need of decisive political action and strong political leadership to achieve real improvement of the current situation. We urge the political leaders of Europe to take their responsibility at the IGC and to put national interests aside and focus on the future of the European Union and its European citizens.
Contact:
LYMEC Press Service
office@lymec.org
European Parliament
PHS 55c42, Rue Wiertzstraat
B-1047 Brussels, Belgium
Phone: +32.2.2843322
UEF Press Release on the Intergovernmental Conference On the eve of the European Council of Brussels, the Union of European Federalists calls for a short and decisive Intergovernmental Conference.
The European Convention has produced a constitutional treaty for the next stage in the development of Europe. The Heads of states and governments should recommend the IGC not try changing it now. The open and democratic debates in the Convention should not be over-ruled by negotiations among the national diplomats and governments, says the UEF.
Furthermore, the UEF asks the European Council to tackle the problem of any national veto against the draft constitutional Treaty to be approved by the IGC. This can only be avoided by agreeing that the treaty should formally enter into force when it has been ratified by a super majority of the states participating at the constitutional process.
As to remedying the deficits of the Convention's draft, the UEF appeals to the States representatives to agree upon a revision clause based on the principle of majority voting to allow the European Union to further strengthen its democratic legitimacy and effectiveness.
Contact:
Bruno Boissière
mailto:bboissiere@skynet.be
tel.: +32-2.508 30 32
Press Release from the Greens in European Parliament Geheimpakt der EU Finanzminister: Voggenhuber: "Ein Generalangriff auf den Verfassungsentwurf und die Demokratie"
Der grüne Europa-Abgeordnete Johannes Voggenhuber bezeichnete heute die nun bekannt gewordenen Forderungen der EU-Finanzminister zur Abänderung des Verfassungsentwurfes als einen "Generalangriff auf die europäische Demokratie und den Verfassungsentwurf des Konvents". Voggenhuber, Mitglied der Beobachtergruppe des Europäischen Parlaments für die Regierungskonferenz, präsentierte heute das 22-seitige Papier des Ecofin-Rates der Presse in Wien. Johannes Voggenhuber erklärte danach:
"Ich lege heute das Geheimpapier der EU-Finanzminister vor, das diese vor der Öffentlichkeit sorgfältig verborgen hielten und auch das Parlament nicht darüber informierten. Dieses Papier der EU-Finanzminister ist ein beispielloser Generalangriff auf die europäische Demokratie und den Verfassungsentwurf des Konvents.“
Die EU-Finanzminister wollen die Parlamentsrechte radikal einschränken, nicht nur gegenüber den Konventsvorschlägen sondern auch gegenüber dem Status quo. Wenn der Ecofin-Rat der alleinige Gesetzgeber über die finanzielle Vorausschau sein möchte, würde dies die Budgetrechte des Parlaments beseitigen. Dies würde nämlich bedeuten, dass das Parlament bei den jährlichen Budgets nur mehr im engsten Rahmen vorgegebener Ansätze entscheiden könnte. Die Budgethoheit ist aber die Kernkompetenz jeden Parlaments. Die Mitbestimmungsrechte beim Budget werden auch durch die Forderung, dass das Parlament nur über die Minimalansätze bestimmen darf, zur Bedeutungslosigkeit degradiert.
Der Ecofin-Rat entmündigt auch die Kommission. Sie soll nicht mehr das Recht haben im Rahmen des Stabilitätspaktes eigenständig blaue Brief an die Mitgliedsstaaten zu versenden. Sie soll nur mehr Vorschläge für solche Warnungen an den Ecofin-Rat machen dürfen, der dann entscheidet.
Ich fordere den Ecofin-Ratsvorsitzenden Giulio Tremonti auf, dieses Dokument sofort zurückzuziehen. Diese Forderungen dürfen nicht Grundlage der Regierungskonferenz werden. Dem Vernehmen nach bereiten sich bereits die EU-Innenminister auf einen ähnlichen Vorstoß gegen die Demokratisierungsoffensive des Konvents vor. Wenn wir diese Vorgangsweise hinnehmen, wird die Regierungskonferenz völlig destabilisiert."
Bitte finden Sie das Ecofin-Dokument und einen Brief von Tremonti an Berlusconi unter folgenden Web-Adressen:
http://greens-efa.org/pdf/press/Ecofinconfidentialpaper.pdf
http://greens-efa.org/pdf/press/Tremonti_english.pdf
Press Service of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament
HelmutWeixler
Head of Press Office
phone: 0032-2-284.4683
fax: 0032-2-284.4944
mobile phone: 0032-475-67 13 40
e-mail: hweixler@europarl.eu.int
website: www.greens-efa.org
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