MEPs support call for a European Union constitution

Date: 10/05/01

By Simon Taylor

CALLS for a European Union constitution to form part of the next round of treaty reforms in 2004 have received cross-party support from MEPs.

The constitutional affairs committee last week approved a report calling for the "launch of a constitutional process which culminates with the approval of a European Constitution".

One of the report's authors, Spanish centre-right MEP Inigo Mendez de Vigo, said: "If we are going to speak of power sharing between the states and the Union, the role of the institutions and fundamental rights, we are speaking of matters that in every country are considered constitutional."

But the call for a constitution will set MEPs on a collision course with leaders of some member states, which see it as a step towards creating a European superstate.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has argued for a "statement of principles" rather than a legal text, setting out the basic goals of the Union. But French President Jacques Chirac yesterday (9 May) reiterated his support for a constitution.

The committee's report, co-authored by Portuguese Socialist MEP Antonio Jose Seguro, also calls for national parliaments to ratify the Nice Treaty in exchange for a commitment from EU leaders to widen the agenda for the next intergovernmental conference in 2004.

At Nice, leaders agreed to tackle just four areas: power sharing between Union and national authorities, the role of national parliaments, simplification of the treaties and the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The MEPs are also demanding that the next IGC is prepared by a convention of representatives from the European and national parliaments and member state governments. They believe this will ensure it better reflects public opinion and avoids mistakes which have crept into recent treaties due to last-minute deals.

The report is expected to face some opposition as many MEPs do not fully support the pro-integrationist stance and is due to be debated in the assembly's next full session on 30-31 May.

Calls for a European Union constitution to form part of the next round of treaty reforms in 2004 have received cross-party support from MEPs.