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Eu constitution { October 28 2002 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1035389379370&p=1012571727085 http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1035389379370&p=1012571727085 Plan for EU constitution unveiled amid row By George Parker and Daniel Dombey in Brussels and James Blitz in London Published: October 28 2002 20:58 | Last Updated: October 29 2002 11:28 A possible new European Union constitution was unveiled in Brussels on Monday proposing that the EU could have a new president, greater co-operation between nation states and dual-citizenship. However, while Valery Giscard d'Estaing, president of the convention on the future of the EU, compared the draft constitution to the work done by the founding fathers of the US, the mood within the EU was marred by one of the most serious diplomatic disputes in recent years between France and the UK. As Mr Giscard d'Estaing unveiled plans to rebrand the EU as "United Europe," it emerged that French President Jacques Chirac had cancelled December's traditional Anglo-French end-of-year summit with British prime minister Tony Blair. Mr Chirac's decision to cancel the summit was made during heated exchanges with Mr Blair at last Friday's EU enlargement summit, in which Mr Blair sought to water down a Franco-German accord maintaining generous farm subsidies until 2013. Angered by Mr Blair's rearguard action, Mr Chirac called off a proposed meeting with the UK prime minister at Le Touquet in December. In Brussels, Mr Giscard d'Estaing unveiled the proposed outline for a new EU constitution, which he believes will endure for the next 50 years. Article 1 of the proposed constitution defines the EU as "a union of European states", retaining their national identities, but co-operating and sharing power, sometimes on a federal basis. Supporters of the federal model believe an enlarged EU of 25 or more members will descend into gridlock, with each national leader playing to a domestic gallery and threatening to veto new initiatives. Mr Giscard d'Estaing's document leaves open the prospect of a greater use of majority voting under the "community method" in some areas. As a result, the European Commission could play a greater role in foreign and economic policy. But the convention president personally favours closer co-operation between member states, without necessarily involving the European Commission. European leaders hope the new constitution will help to tackle the malaise that has gripped the EU, symbolised by a stuttering economy, a lack of political leadership and a weak presence on the world stage. The draft constitution, in three parts with 46 articles, is the result of eight months of work by a special convention on Europe's future. Mr Giscard d'Estaing has compared it to the work of the US founding fathers and their Philadelphia convention in 1787."We need a constitutional treaty to mark the beginning of a renewed Europe, as we accept new member states into our midst, a Europe in which all citizens should recognise themselves as European," Mr Giscard d'Estaing told the Convention. Among the most controversial suggestions is the creation of an appointed president, running the European Council for up to five years, to act as the union's political driving force and face on the world stage. Mr Giscard d'Estaing's paper proposes a rebranding of the EU, possibly to be called United Europe. Britain ruled out his alternative suggestion of "United States of Europe". Among the other proposals are: * Incorporating the EU's charter of rights * Beefing up the role of the High Representative on EU foreign policy, a job currently held by Javier Solana * Giving privileged status to the EU's neighbouring states, including Turkey, Ukraine and possibly Russia * Giving countries an exit clause from the EU for the first time The paper also proposes that every citizen of an EU member state should have "dual citizenship" with the EU, a concept that appears in the current Maastricht treaty, but which has aroused British scepticism.

Agreement near on eu constitution { June 13 2003 } Blair u turn on eu constitution Chirac begs french to accept eu treaty Constitution deadlock plunges eu summit into gloom EU adopts constitution Eu constitution convention signs final draft { July 10 2003 } EU constitution defeat would be serious Eu constitution unveiled Eu constitution { October 28 2002 } Eu president planned Eu president European leaders sign EU constitution European parliament approves new EU constitution { January 12 2005 } Expanded eu Fight over strengh of EU post French socialists back eu treaty Germany to punish spain poland blocking eu constitution Luxembourg prime minister warns of eu crisis Luxembourg voters back treaty after france rejection { July 11 2005 } Poles clear path for deal on eu constitution { March 19 2004 } Queen fears blair support eu constitution Files Listed: 21

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