Amato rejects fears over draft constitutions

Date: 19/09/02

By Martin Banks

GIULIANO Amato, deputy chairman of the Convention on the future of Europe, has brushed aside fears that draft treaties put forward by other members of the body will be ignored.

As the Convention continues apace with its work towards drawing up a constitutional treaty, other draft constitutions are already being mooted.

Two senior Convention members, the German MEP Elmar Brok and UK Liberal member Andrew Duff, put forward their own draft treaties at last week's meeting.

Privately, however, some members have voiced fears that such contributions will be overlooked when the time comes to draw up a final document next Spring.

One said: 'There's a feeling that there will be so many drafts that none will receive the serious consideration they deserve.'

But Amato has refuted such suggestions, saying: 'No one will push aside the ideas put forward by Brok, Duff or anyone else.

'These are useful contributions and, although they may not form the final document, they may well influence it.'

Meanwhile, Convention chairman Valéry Giscard d'Estaing says he is 'encouraged' by signs of a growing EU identity.

Speaking at a Brussels reception hosted by the European Movement, the former French president said: 'People have wondered for some time if there is what you might call a European spirit. At present, there may not be a 'European patriotism' but there are some signs of it.

'I am increasingly seeing EU flags outside schools and municipalities, so it appears that some kind of European identity is developing.'

Giuliano Amato, deputy chairman of the Convention on the Future of Europe, has brushed aside fears that draft treaties put forward by other members of the body will be ignored.