Kindgo
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The newly-drafted EU constitution will be taken from it birthplace in Brussels and brought to Rome today for a symbolic hand-over to the Italian Presidency.
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Italy, as the current head of the EU, should play the role of mediator and honest broker in the negotiations - it will also take a pragmatic approach as it wants to get the constitution signed by member states as soon as possible so it can begin a new ceremony for a Treaty of Rome - to replace the current Treaty of Rome dating from 1957.
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http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?sid=18
http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?sid=18&aid=12168
Constitution goes roaming
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (r) will be accompanied by Giuliano Amato (c) and Jean-Luc Dehaene (l) (Photo: European Convention)
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The newly-drafted EU constitution will be taken from its birthplace in Brussels and brought to Rome today for a symbolic hand-over to the Italian Presidency.
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who presided over the making of the text, will personally bear a bound copy to the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
The complete constitution, which runs to over 400 articles, will be fine-tuned by member states during an intergovernmental conference (IGC) due to begin on 4 October.
The biggest challenge during the IGC will be to keep the minutely worked compromise from unravelling as governments try and get a last best deal.
Member state concerns
Already Germany has expressed concern that a new article giving the European Parliament - instead of member states - the last say on the EU budget will mean that it, as biggest net payer, will stand to lose millions of euros.
Spain and Poland, who both did well on voting weights with the current Nice treaty, have made ominous sounds about the section in the new constitution which reduces their current 'big player' status in 2009.
Similarly, the UK - which since 1984 has enjoyed its famous tax rebate wangled by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - could raise objections to the parts in the blueprint that will put an end to this.
Accession countries, who have full status in the IGC, are generally said to be more conservative about the text than the full member states.
Honest broker
Italy, as the current head of the EU, should play the role of mediator and honest broker in the negotiations - it will also take a pragmatic approach as it wants to get the constitution signed by member states as soon as possible so it can begin a new ceremony for a Treaty of Rome - to replace the current Treaty of Rome dating from 1957.
"Italy's view is that the IGC represents the ideal continuation of the Convention, the profound constituent value of which is not to be lost", says a press release by the Presidency.
Similarly, Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini said recently, "I believe that the IGC should focus on outstanding issues not reopen ones". "Any country may raise doubts but not reopen discussions".
Mr Giscard, who will be accompanied by both vice-presidents of the Convention, Giuliano Amato and Jean-Luc Dehaene, has said he would make himself available for consultation throughout the IGC.
Member states decided at the Thessaloniki Council that the IGC should be completed before the European Parliament's elections in June 2004.
Conclusions Thessaloniki Presidency Conclusions
Website European Convention
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God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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