Editorial Dear Europeans,
The recent political development in Europe has been determined by the tragic events in Spain. The imminent threat of terrorism created a feeling of common sadness and belonging among the European people. The citizens are more than ever aware of the need for a more united Europe that will be able to respond to threats and challenges. At the same time, the attack in Madrid brought the Constitution back on the top of the European agenda.
Can we therefore name the dreadful Madrid attacks a u–turn for the constitutional process? Not entirely – Mr. Zapatero has announced his will to find an agreement on the Constitution already during the campaign. After the results in Spain, Poland lost a strong ally and also expressed readiness to soften its position in favour of a compromise. All this finally resulted in a fairly successful Summit in Brussels. The leaders decided to agree on the final version of the Constitution at the Summit in June, just after the elections to the European Parliament.
However, the last Summit did not solve any substantial issues that remain open i.e. the size and composition of the Commission, the new voting system and the minimum seat threshold in the EP. Although everybody believes the compromise is close, the final agreement seems still out of reach for most, who forget that the Convention did spend 2 years searching for a compromise, which it found! The Draft Constitution is the best compromise Europe could get at this point of time and should be adopted!
What is even more important is the timing of the next European Council and the conclusive consultations on the Constitution. The heads of states will try to reach an agreement at a summit on the 17th and 18th of June. Ironically, the European citizens will elect their representatives in the European Parliament just a few days before. Therefore the Constitution will not be part of the campaign, even though it is the most important EU document (and vision!) in decades. To move the Council meeting at least one week before the elections of the newly enlarged Parliament would be a very positive sign. This would not only increase the importance of the Euro-elections in citizens’ view, but would also give the European people the single chance to legitimate the Constitution.
This bulletin will continue to be published on a monthly basis. The next edition will be send to you on 12th May 2004. As usual you are welcome to send us your contributions to bulletin@jef-europe.net, deadline for the next issue is 10th May 2004. You can read all articles of this Bulletin in full length on: http://www.constitutional-convention.net.
Looking forward to the final IGC conclusion!
Best wishes,
Editor in chief
Quote of the Month "I don't care what it is called. As far as I am concerned it can be the Romano Prodi Treaty".
Bertie Ahern, Irish prime minister and current head of the EU on the Constitutional Treaty
European Council Meeting Conclusions Brussels, 25/26. March 2004
1. The European Council met in Brussels on 25/26 March 2004 for its annual meeting on the Lisbon Strategy and the economic, social and environmental situation in the Union. It also received a report from the Presidency on the Intergovernmental Conference, adopted a Declaration on combating terrorism and addressed a number of issues arising out of
developments on the international scene.
2. The meeting was preceded by an exposé by the President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox, followed by an exchange of views concerning the main items on the agenda.
I. INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE
3. The European Council welcomed the Presidency's report on the Intergovernmental Conference and its assessment of the prospect for progress. It reaffirmed its commitment to reaching agreement on the Constitutional Treaty, as a means of better equipping the Union to
respond to the demands of its citizens and to play a more effective role in the world. It agreed on the importance of maintaining the momentum imparted by the Convention and by the work of the Intergovernmental Conference so far.
4. On the basis of the Presidency's recommendation, the European Council requested the Presidency to continue its consultations and as soon as appropriate to arrange for the resumption of formal negotiations in the IGC. It decided that agreement on the Constitutional Treaty should be reached no later than the June European Council.
To read the full version of the document in the official languages of the Union, please visit:
http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/related.asp?BID=76&GRP=6983&FROM=EuropeanCouncil__&LANG=1
The Presidency Report to the Intergovernmental Conference 1. At its meeting in Brussels on 12/13 December the European Council noted that it was not possible for the Intergovernmental Conference to reach an overall agreement on a draft Constitutional Treaty at that stage. The Irish Presidency was requested on the basis of consultations to make an assessment of the prospect for progress and to report to the European Council in March.
2. The Presidency has accordingly undertaken an intensive and wide-ranging series of contacts with all current, acceding and candidate Member States, as well as with the European Commission and the European Parliament. They have taken place at both political and senior official level, and have included bilateral discussions between the President of the European Council and his counterparts. In addition, Foreign Ministers had a useful informal discussion at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in January.
3. The Legal and Technical Working Group chaired by the Head of the Council Legal Service has continued its work in accordance with the timetable envisaged under the Italian Presidency. The Group has finalised the texts of Protocols on the abrogation of acts and treaties completing or modifying the EC and EU Treaties and on the first four Accession Treaties. It aims to complete its remaining task, the drafting of the text of a Protocol on the Accession Treaty 2003, by 27 April.
4. There continues to be consensus on the importance and value of the proposed Constitutional Treaty, as a means of better equipping the Union to respond to the demands of its citizens and to play a more effective role in the world. It would introduce important innovations such as the simplification of legislative procedures and legal instruments, clarification of the balance between the Union and its Member States, enhancement of the protection of human rights, and a greater role for directly-elected representatives in both the European Parliament and national parliaments.
To read the full report, visit: http://www.eu2004.ie/templates/document_file.asp?id=10589
Address by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D. to the European Parliament on the Outcome of the European Council Meeting, 25.-26. March 2004 Strassbourg, 31 March 2004
President Cox;
President Prodi;
Honourable Members of the European Parliament;
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am very pleased to be here today to report on the outcome of last week’s Spring European Council. When I had the honour to address this house in January on the priorities of the Irish Presidency, I said then that the over-riding objective of our Presidency was to secure outcomes which would have a positive impact on the lives of Europe’s people.
I believe that last week’s European Council has contributed to securing positive outcomes in a very real way. The European Union has shown, yet again, that it has the ability to address new challenges. It has shown that when we move forward together, we can make a real difference to peoples’ daily lives.
The significant progress made at last week’s European Council was due to many factors. One important factor, I am convinced, is the excellent working relationship which has been built up between the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament. The theme of this Irish Presidency is “Europeans – working together”. This European Council has clearly shown how much can be achieved when we succeed in doing so.
At the meeting, as the Honourable Members will be aware, the European Council adopted a Declaration on Combating Terrorism. We agreed to resume our negotiations in the Intergovernmental Conference and to reach agreement no later than at our meeting in June. We identified what needs to be done in practical terms to promote sustainable growth and more jobs. We discussed a range of foreign policy issues, including the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Russia. MORE...
Taoiseach Sets Out Approach to IGC Negotiations 9. April 2004
The Taoiseach and President of the European Council, Mr. Bertie Ahern, has written to all Heads of State or Government in the Intergovernmental Conference asking them to take a "positive and focussed approach, concentrating on those questions which are of real significance".
In his letter, Mr. Ahern thanked his colleagues for the "constructive and focussed" work at the Spring European Council when it was accepted that agreement on the Constitutional Treaty should be reached no later than June.
"We now have a joint responsibility to our citizens to ensure that we deliver on this commitment. This will require us to work together in a spirit of compromise and of flexibility," writes the Taoiseach. MORE...
Friends of Europe: Salvaging the Wreckage of Europe's Constitution The organization Friends of Europe has published a discussion paper “Salvaging the wreckage of Europe's Constitution” that features opinions of various European politicans on Europe’s future.
Find it on-line (in pdf):
http://www.friendsofeurope.org/pdfs/SalvagingtheWreckageofEuropesConstitution.pdf
A New Discussion Corner on Futurum: Results of the European Summit on the Constitution The FUTURUM Website has a new Discussion Corner devoted to the recent European Council in Brussels.
Join the debate at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/coreservices/forum/index.cfm?forum=Futurum&fuseaction=contribution.home&Debate_ID=52&lang=EN
www.constitutional-convention.net Check the latest news about the Constitution and its adoption on http://www.constitutional-convention.net/uptotheminute
Friday, 16.04.2004
Constitution talk in the Netherlands opens way to Commission streamlining
While on a visit to the EU's next presiding nation, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has signalled flexibility over the composition...
Friday, 16.04.2004
New Spanish PM wants EU charter before mid-year
Spain's Prime Minister elect has put Europe at the centre of his investiture speech and called for unity against the...
Tuesday, 06.04.2004
"Die Verfassung geht nicht weit genug"
Jan Kreutz über den Einfluss, die Wünsche und den Nutzen des Jugendkonvents. Bislang konnten sich die Regierungschefs der Europäischen Union...
JEF Press Release: Constitution: Back in Pole Position Saturday, 27.03.2004
JEF Europe (Young European Federalists) welcomes the decision of the Spring Summit in Brussels to re-launch negotations in the IGC, with the view to adopt the first European Constitution in time for the European Parliament elections.
“The Constitution will give the EU a new face that will make it easier for the citizens to identify with,” stated Jon Worth, the president of JEF-Europe.
“All European citizens must have the chance to express their opinion on the Constitution at the European Elections in June.”
“As JEF-Europe has long campaigned, the EU urgently needs a Constitution in order to function effectively.”
All European Governments should understand that after the decision made today in Brussels failure is not an option. The text produced by the Convention should be adopted without amendment.
“The failure of the December summit proved that the only element missing inside the EU is the political will of the national governments to move forward and face the challenges that Europe need to overcome. We hope than minor issues will not be used again as an excuse to block the procedure decided upon today,” continued Jon Worth.
JEF Europe has been committed for several decades to a campaign for a Federal European Constitution. In the months to come, until the European Elections, federalists all over Europe will send a clear message to the Governments that reflects the general public opinion: that a fundamental part of the European Parliament Elections in June is the debate on the Constitution. MORE...
JEF Press Release: A Supranational Resopnse to a Supranational Threat Tuesday, 16.03.2004
The threat of terrorism cannot be countered without action at EU level. That is the crucial message to be taken from the tragic events of last week in Madrid, and the subsequent political developments, according to JEF-Europe (Young European Federalists).
"While the blasts were felt in Madrid, the whole of Europe has been touched by these events" stated Jon Worth, President of JEF-Europe.
"Europe's leaders have rightly understood that what has happened in Madrid could also happen in Paris, Warsaw or Rome."
JEF-Europe cautions against knee-jerk reactions to the threat of terrorism and instead advocates a tolerant and respectful approach at European level.
"EU solutions to the terrorist threat are clearly needed," continued Jon Worth.
"However, the values of the European Union are the respect of human rights, democracy and unity in diversity. These fundamental values of our societies must be enhanced, not limited in response to terrorism."
"The solution both for the rights of citizens, and to create more effective decision-making structures in the field of Justice and Home Affairs, is to adopt the European Constitution drafted by the Convention."
"As never before, the citizens of the EU have witnessed a supranational threat. Swift adoption of the European Constitution would be part of the supranational response."
"We therefore urge the newly elected Spanish government to work positively with all EU governments for the adoption of the European Constitution as soon as possible." MORE...
JEF-Europe Policy Resolution and the Appeal: Europe Needs a Constitution Now On the failure of the Brussels IGC and the future of the draft European Constitution
The Federal Committee of JEF-Europe, meeting 26th-28th March in Barcelona:
Affirms:
- Its support for the work carried out by the Convention to produce a draft European Constitution that, while impossible to consider as a Federal European Constitution, will advance the cause of European federalism when it is adopted, and can be a decisive step towards the goal of a Federal European Constitution.
- Its rejection of the IGC method as a means of treaty / constitutional reform in the future in the European Union as decisions should no longer be taken behind closed doors on the basis of a lowest-common-denominator intergovernmental bargain.
- The importance of complete transparency in the legislative process as an important step towards bringing the Union closer to its citizens.
Profoundly concerned by:
- The failure to reach an agreement on the adoption of a European Constitution in Brussels in December and considers this as a setback for European democracy.
- The way heads of state and government undid many elements of the historic bargain struck by the Convention, even before the summit failed.
- The strong appeal to national interests by many states at the Brussels summit and a stubbornness to not compromise for the sake of the greater good in Europe.
- The absence of enough political will to reform the imbalanced and complex Nice voting system which could lead to decision-making paralysis in an EU of 25 or more states.
- The lack of political vision among the leading political figures in Europe.
Rejects:
- All statements from European politicians claiming that a multi-speed Europe is the only answer to the failure of Brussels, as the main division – on voting rights – concerns all member states in all areas in which the EU is already competent.
- Claims that the Treaty of Nice might serve as an efficient legal basis.
- All the proposals for institutional changes that would seriously endanger the unity of the EU.
Therefore calls for:
- Adoption of the draft Constitution proposed by the Convention in its original form as soon as possible, and before the European Parliament elections, followed by swift and effective ratification in all member states without allowing any veto to block the entering into force of the Constitution.
- Initiatives from the Irish Presidency, from the European Parliament, the European Commission and the national Parliaments, to make sure that the Constitution is adopted before the European Elections.
- The next European Council to take place at least one week before the European Parliament Elections.
- The widest possible debate about the Constitution as part of the campaigns for the European Parliament elections.
- Improvements to the Constitution after its ratification, by a true Constitutional Convention, with a clear mandate to transform the Constitution into a truly federal and democratic European Constitution and proceeding by qualified majority voting.
Therefore, JEF shall campaign for:
- the European Parliament, the European Commission, the national parliaments, the political parties in Europe and the civil society (using in particular the popular initiative Procedure, art. 46) to urge all national governments to call a second Convention.
- A future Convention aims to achieve a two chamber parliament, including the European Parliament as the Chamber of the Citizens (lower house) and the Council of Ministers as a Chamber of the States, together responsible for all legislative decisions of the Union, and develop the European Commission into a true government of the European Union and introduce qualified majority voting for revisions to the Constitution.
Therefore calls on all JEF sections:
- To use the annexed appeal for adoption of the Constitution in their activities from now until the European elections especially during JEF’s Europe Week campaigns in the context of the campaign ‘Give Europe A Face’ to apply pressure to achieve the successful adoption of the Constitution.
- To put pressure on the candidates for the European Parliament elections to express their opinion on the Constitution in order to place the debate on the future of the EU at the core of the elections campaign.
- To promote a debate inside their national parliaments on the adoption of the Constitution. MORE...
European Parliament Resolution on the Outcome of the European Council Meeting on 25.-26. March 2004 Strassbourg, 1.4.2004
The European Parliament,
- having regard to the Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, drawn up by the European Convention,
- having regard to its resolutions of 24 September(1), 4 December(2) and 18 December 2003(3), and of 29 January(4) and 11 March 2004(5),
A. whereas the European Council reaffirmed its commitment to reaching agreement on the Constitutional Treaty, and decided that such agreement should be reached not later than the European Council meeting on 17-18 June,
B. whereas the need to reinforce the EU strategy on terrorism has become more apparent than ever following the brutal terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and those perpetrated in Madrid on 11 March 2004,
C. whereas terrorism constitutes a crime against humanity and the values of an open, democratic and multicultural society and, as such, is a threat to international peace, stability and security,
D. whereas the fight against terrorism blurs the traditional distinction between foreign and domestic policy,
E. whereas only through enhanced cooperation at European and international level can we improve the safety and security of our citizens,
F. whereas the Convention on the draft constitutional Treaty has already indicated the solution to the malfunctions in the establishment of the area of freedom, security and justice and the prevention and combating of terrorism and organised crime; calling on the European Council and the Council to anticipate as far as possible, on the basis of the existing treaties, solutions such as the transfer of judicial cooperation in criminal matters to the Community pillar (Article 42 TEU), the introduction of qualified-majority voting and codecision in policies under Title IV of the EC Treaty, the conversion of Europol into a European agency and its association with Eurojust, and consultation of Parliament on all international agreements relating to the AFSJ, MORE...
European Parliament Resolution on the Preparation of the European Council on 25.-26. March 2004 The European Parliament,
- having regard to the Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, drawn up by the European Convention(1),
- having regard to its resolutions of 24 September 2003(2), 4 December 2003(3), 18 December 2003(4) and 29 January 2004(5),
- having regard to the meeting of the European Council on 25-26 March and to the European Parliament elections on 10-13 June,
- having regard to Rule 37(4) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas there is already substantial agreement at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the European Convention's draft Constitution,
1. Calls on each and every member of the European Council to show the flexibility that will inevitably be needed in order to avoid deadlock at the IGC;
2. Warns that agreement on the outstanding issues at the IGC is unlikely to become easier to resolve later;
3. Makes a solemn appeal to the European Council of 25-26 March 2004 to decide on the immediate resumption of the IGC, in order to reach a conclusion prior to 1 May 2004 on the basis of the draft constitutional Treaty put forward by the European Convention, and without changing its fundamental balance;
4. Calls on the Irish Presidency to take all the necessary steps to break the current deadlock, and fully supports any initiative that would allow the IGC to reach a positive conclusion;
HTTP://WWW3.EUROPARL.EU.INT/OMK/OMNSAPIR.SO/PV2?PRG=CALDOC&FILE=20040311&LANGUE=EN&TPV=PROV&LASTCHAP=20&SDOCTA=10&TXTLST=1&TYPE_DOC=FIRST&POS=1
President of the European Parliament "It's Time for a Constitutional Treaty Settlement has Come and that Time is Now" Brussels, 25. March 2004
Speaking today before attending this evening's meeting in Brussels where EU leaders will discuss the draft EU constitution, Pat Cox MEP President of the European Parliament, appealed to heads of Government to find the political will with the aim of completing the negotiations before the European elections, saying,
"The time for a constitutional treaty settlement has come, and that time is now."
"My own sense is that there is a change in mood and a willingness to compromise on the issues which blocked the last Brussels summit. We must capitalise on this."
Find full press release in english at:
http://www.europarl.eu.int/president/press/en/cp0104.htm MORE...
Speech By Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, in the European Parliament "Moving in the right direction"
Strasbourg, 31. March 2004
Ladies and gentlemen,
The process of European integration began life as a peace process. In half a century the objectives of peace have been developed and consolidated, while the world around us has undergone profound changes.
Today all the members of our united Europe share certain underlying principles. Membership of the Union means:
- upholding the fundamental rights of the individual,
- organising public life democratically and in accordance with procedures, and also
- building and defending our model of economic and social development.
Recently I have often thought about these principles while reflecting on the challenges facing our Union, both from within and from outside, partly because in the face of such terrible threats we are striving to find points of reference.
The European Council that concluded in Brussels last Saturday followed the same line of thought. As you know, the spring Council is the focal point of the economic governance of the Union. However, recent events basically rewrote our agenda. MORE...
UEF Press Release: European Congress of the UEF: Jo Leinen Re-elected President - Federalists Call for the Adoption of the Constitution Without Veto "European Constitution now ! Adoption without veto" was the topic of the European Congress of the Union of European Federalists which gathered about 250 delegates, observers and guests from 19 until 21 March in Genova (I).
During the solemn opening session of the Congress, the Member of the European Commission Viviane REDING said that she was optimistic that the draft European constitutional Treaty would be adopted; "as it is, it would give the Union important instruments to strengthen the European citizenship", she said.
The Congress re-elected the social-democrat MEP Jo LEINEN (Europa-Union Deutschland) as UEF President. "In view of the steps towards a genuine federal Constitution, it is essential that the member states overcome the national veto. If one or more countries are not ready to accept the draft Constitution, those states which are willing should sign it", declared Jo LEINEN. MORE...
UEF Appeal: European Constitution Now! Adoption Without Veto! Appeal to the National Governments and Parliaments, and the European Parliament
European Constitution Now ! Adoption without veto !
The Union of European Federalists deeply regrets the failure of the Brussels IGC summit in December 2003. The draft Constitutional Treaty adopted by consensus by the European Convention, a legitimate body representing not only the governments but also the parliaments of Europe, is a balanced compromise which would mean an important step towards a more democratic, effective and transparent European Union.
The outcome of the Brussels summit clearly demonstrated once more the failure of the intergovernmental method. If the principle of national veto is maintained, a relaunch of the intergovernmental negotiations will not yield any results in 2004. MORE...
EPP-ED Group: EU Spring Council - Success for European Constitution But Little Progress on the Economy 27/03/2004
Hans-Gert Poettering on the EU Spring Council - Success for European Constitution but little progress on the Economy
The decision of the European Council for an early agreement on the European constitution, before the meeting of the European Council on 17 June next, is a welcome political signal, declared Hans-Gert Poettering, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament. This is an important confirmation of unity on the eve of EU enlargement.
Full press release on-line at:
http://www.epp-ed.org/Press/showpr.asp?PRControlDocTypeID=1&PRControlID=2624&PRContentID=5049&PRContentLG=en
Greens / EFA: EU Summit in Brussels: EU Should Drop Veto on Constitutional Changes Commenting on the result of the European Summit in Brussels, Monica Frassoni, Co-President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, today said:
"The Greens welcome the new attitude towards the constitution demonstrated at the European summit. We hope that – as was planned – the EU will have a constitution by the end of the Irish presidency. However the Greens call upon EU leaders that the pressure to come to an agreement does not lead to a regression from the Convention text."
"The probable adoption of the Constitution in June is in no way the end of the constitutional process. The Greens are convinced that the IGC must adopt an improved constitutional revision procedure that excludes the power of veto and includes the full involvement of, and ratification through, the European Parliament. This is of special importance for the revision of the third part of the constitution on the policies and the functioning of the Union, which has not been sufficiently discussed in the Convention and is therefore still half-baked."
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, speaking on the fight against terrorism, said:
"Europe’s leaders agreed on enhanced co-operation in the field of anti-terror measures, which is a necessary response to the latest terrorist attacks in Europe. The Greens warn however that civil rights must not be neglected in the fight against international terrorism. If there is to be European-wide co-ordination of police and secret services then there must be a European parliamentary and judicial control of their activities as well."
Full Press release can be found at:
http://www.greens-efa.org/en/press/detail.php?id=1866&lg=en
PES: Springtime for the European Constitution? On the eve of the European Council on 25 and 26 March 2004, where the focus for debate will be the fate of the Constitution, the Socialist family within the European Parliament once again expressed to the Irish Presidency of the Council in Strasbourg on 10 March 2004 the need to have a Constitution before the European elections next June.
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