Unveiling of Constitutional Draft

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PRESS RELEASE Embargo: immediate Monday 28 October 2002

CONSTITUTIONAL DRAFT TO BE UNVEILED TO CONVENTION

Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East of England, will participate in the Convention on the Future of Europe taking place today Monday 27 October and tomorrow Tuesday.

The President of the Convention, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, will unveil a draft outline of a constitution. Andrew Duff published his own draft constitution in September. Reacting to the publishing of Giscard draft, Duff will say: "The time is ripe for the Convention to start debating the shape and style of the final constitution. It is now clear that the Convention will bring about a radical re-founding of the European Union. We are committed to producing a constitution that is clear for all citizens."

This week's Convention will also debate the role of national parliaments in the EU, exploring how better connections can be made between national MPs and the institution in Brussels.

The second item of business is the Charter of Fundamental Rights and how to incorporate it into the constitution. The Charter is the basic Bill of Rights of the European Union and will necessarily form an integral and visible part of the new constitution.

Andrew Duff, who is the European Parliament's rapporteur on the Charter, said that:"This week's Convention is going to be fundamental in setting out the structure and direction of the future constitution".

ENDS/... Editors' note: Andrew Duff is chairman of the Liberal caucus within the Convention.

Contact: Andrew Duff on +44 7703471659 or Guillaume McLaughlin on +32 478 201 299.