- The blueprint for a new constitution for Europe, unveiled
yesterday, paves the way for sweeping changes to the EU but provoked instant
British opposition by suggesting the bloc could be renamed "United
States of Europe".
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- Published by Valry Giscard d'Estaing, the former French
president who is chairing an inquiry into the future of Europe, the document
raises the prospect of a massive overhaul of the EU to accommodate up to
10 new countries due to join in 2004. It lists three possible titles besides
the European Union. They are: European Community, the United States of
Europe, and United Europe.
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- The outline document also suggests that all Europeans
should be given the right to citizenship of the EU as well as their member
states.
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- However, Peter Hain, the Welsh Secretary and the Government's
representative on the convention, told BBC's Newsnight programme last night
that the idea of a United States of Europe was "a non-runner",
and that dual citizenship was "not something we would go along with".
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- British officials believe the name-change suggestion
is tactical. Designed to please Euro-federalists, it has been touted "safe
in the knowledge that it will be shot down".
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- These objections apart, the Government believes that
Mr Giscard's text would open the way for many changes that would entrench
the power of nation states.
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- The blueprint carefully leaves the most sensitive decisions
for later. It has been billed as a "skeleton" constitution because
it only sets out a framework, listing 46 articles and going into little
detail. But changes that could be ushered in include the creation of a
powerful new president of the EU who would report to national leaders,
a congress of national and European parliamentarians, and an exit clause
to allow countries to quit the EU.
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- The text outlines plans to give the EU the legal power
to sign treaties and sit on international bodies but also says any competence
"not conferred on the Union by the constitution rests with the member
state". There is only one reference to powers being exercised on a
"federal basis"and that is not seen as a threat by British officials.
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- Dual citizenship would confer rights including free movement,
residence, voting powers and freedom to stand as a candidate in local elections
and elections to the European Parliament.
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- Mr Giscard's convention of 105 national and European
parliamentarians is drawing up a draft constitution that is to be recommended
to EU heads of government next year. They alone can decide on a new treaty.
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- Part of the group's job is to simplify Europe's byzantine
structures. One element of this is the fusion of the two treaties that
set in place two entities: the European Community and the European Union.
That process leaves open the possibility of a name change and Mr Giscard
has made clear his preference for "United Europe".
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- Publication of the document marks the beginning of a
battle over the all-important detail. The text prompted mixed reactions
from the British political parties represented on the convention. Linda
McAvan, a Labour Member of the European Parliament, said: "The Euro-
realists are winning ... Giscard has struck a good balance."
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- But David Heathcoat-Amory, a Conservative Eurosceptic,
said: "The draft constitution published today would endow the EU with
all the attributes of a state ... The British Government must make clear
its total opposition to this federal advance."
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- Andrew Duff, a Liberal Democrat member of the convention,
said the document "clearly rejects the reactionary approach chosen
by the UK Government" and "allows for a radical refoundation"
of the union.
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- THE MAIN POINTS
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- * European Community/European Union/United States of
Europe/United Europe would be created.
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- * Its objectives would include economic and social cohesion,
protection of common values, high employment, liberty, security and justice,
foreign policy.
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- * The union would have "legal personality",
with the power to sign treaties and take a seat on international bodies
such as the United Nations.
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- * Union citizenship would be established and defined,
giving rights of free movement, residence and voting in the union and diplomatic
protection in other countries.
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- * An "exit clause" would allow countries to
withdraw voluntarily from the union.
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- http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=346857
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