Release Immediate 27 May 2002

In his second formal contribution to the Convention, European Liberal spokesman Andrew DUFF has tabled three further articles of a constitution for a Federal Union.

The articles focus on the legal instruments of the reformed and enlarged Union, and include a proposal for a new act of the Union -an Organic Law - for important measures whose effect is to shift the balance of power between the institutions.

Mr DUFF proposes that the EU gains full legal personality in international law, and that the Charter of Fundamental Rights is entrenched in the constitution. The citizen would have direct access to the European Court of Justice in defence of individual rights.

He puts forward a catalogue of eight legislative and executive acts ranging from the new Organic Law to binding Interinstitutional Agreements between the Council, Commission and Parliament.

Lastly, Mr DUFF says that the Union should have more scope in the way it raises revenue, and enhanced budgetary autonomy within defined spending limits.

Mr DUFF said:

"The effect of these changes would be to make the powers belonging to the Union more rational and straightforward than they are now. They would impose a greater discipline on the legislators and would grant the citizen a more direct relationship with those who govern the Union.

"The present system leads to muddle, opacity and ineffectiveness. The Union's methods need to become both clearer and more forceful. The choice between forms of law and executive action is a vital one, and should never be made without the full participation of the Council, Parliament and Commission.

"These reforms are an essential part of building a more democratic Europe."

ENDS/...

Contact: Andrew Duff on 00 44 77 03 471 659 or Guillaume McLaughlin on 0032 478 201 299.