EU leaders clinch deal on European constitution

[Dreamer128]

Associated Press
Friday June 18, 2004

European Union leaders have agreed on a first-ever constitution for the newly reunited continent, overcoming disputes about power-sharing, national sovereignty and even whether God deserved a mention, officials said.

Leaders made champagne toasts at the end of two days of fraught negotiations on the historic charter. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, the summit host, was to make the formal announcement at a news conference, but EU spokeswoman Cristina Gallach said: "It's done."

But she said another difficult decision - who will be the new president for the EU's executive Commission - was put off because of continuing disagreement.

Leaders adopted the constitution about an hour after receiving the final translated text. "They have been positively received," Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen told reporters after the first four delegations had spoken. "The message is that we can create a new era for Europe."

Leaders had been hoping for a success to boost the EU's credibility in the eyes of a sceptical public, a week after an electoral drubbing and six months after their last attempt collapsed in acrimony over voting rules and other issues.

No dinner was being served "in an effort to spur them to a deal," Dick Roche, Irish minister for European Affairs, said earlier.

The deal comes six weeks after the 15-nation EU took in 10 new members, mainly from the former communist east.

The final text resolves one of the most bitter disputes - the voting system - by requiring at least 15 countries representing 65 percent of the EU's total 455-million population for a measure to pass. At least four countries with 35 percent of the population would be required to block - another safeguard to prevent the biggest countries from running roughshod over the rest.

Spain, among the hardest fighters for interests of smaller countries, was satisfied with the compromise, diplomats said.

Britain also expressed satisfaction that it had preserved its veto over taxation, defense and foreign policy, and gained guarantees that a sweeping charter on fundamental rights would not allow European courts to challenge British labour laws, which are more restrictive than those on the Continent.

Britain was also pleased with an "emergency brake" allowing it to challenge majority decisions on cross-border criminal matters and social security measures for migrant workers.

"We are happy with all of it. All our red lines have been met," said Blair's official spokesman.

(The Guardian)

[ 06-18-2004, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

[johnny]

It'll probably go down the shredder by monday.

Thepower of positive thinking eh Johnny? [img]smile.gif[/img] I give it till Sunday

[johnny]

Originally posted by MagiK: Thepower of positive thinking eh Johnny? [img]smile.gif[/img] I give it till Sunday

No, it's just that i don't think they work in the weekends.

[Dreamer128]

European leaders welcome new constitution

The new European constitution has been welcomed by most European leaders. French President Jacques Chirac spoke of "an important day for Europe". The British prime minister, Tony Blair "said it was a success for Britain and Europe."

Christian leaders, however, have voiced criticism. The Vatican says it regrets that the new constitution fails to mention Europe's Christian roots, while German and Polish churches expressed similar reservations. Newcomer Poland fought hard to have a reference to Christianity included but failed to persuade the other member states.

However, candidate member state Turkey, where there is a strict separation between church and state, praised the new secular constitution, saying it met its expectations.

(rnw.nl)