Duff Constitution 15/04/02

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Press Release 15th April 2002

Embargo 13.30 BST 15/4/02

DUFF PROPOSES FIRST ARTICLES OF CONSTITUTION

European Liberal Democrat Member of the Convention Andrew DUFF has tabled the first proposals for articles of the Constitution of the European Union. These will be presented by him to the meeting of the Convention on 15-16 April.

Mr DUFF, Vice-President of the European Parliamentary delegation to the Convention, publishes three draft articles and a preamble to a constitutional treaty for a Federal Union. The articles set out the objectives of the Union, criteria for its good governance and its competencies.

Mr DUFF, who chairs the Liberal caucus in the Convention, rejects the concept of exclusive competencies and prefers a system of principal powers which comprise trade and the customs union, the single market, monetary policy, trans-national environmental matters, and, common foreign, security and defence policies.

The articles and justification Ñpublished by the Convention as CONTRIB 6 (CONV 22/02) Ñ form part of a comprehensive constitution for a Federal Union which Mr DUFF plans to release methodically as the debate in the Convention evolves.

He said: "The work of the Convention will become really meaningful when we settle down to discussing draft legal texts. The large tour dÕhorizon that the Convention has enjoyed at its first meetings has been fascinating and useful. But the Convention will be judged on its capacity actually to draft the constitution. In view of the complexity of the issues we face, it is best to start this exercise early.

"My proposal is for a Federal Union of states and citizens. It refreshes the Community method, and reinforces the competencies of the Union especially in the field of foreign, security and defence policy. The three pillar system of Maastricht is carefully demolished. Europe deserves, and the world needs, a strong democratic Union."

ENDS/...