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PRESS RELEASE Embargo: 15.00 Monday 28 October 2002

CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO GISCARD'S DRAFT CONSTITUTION

Andrew Duff MEP, Chair of the Liberal Caucus in the Convention, welcomes the publication of the draft constitution presented today by the Praesidium.

Andrew Duff, who contributed his own draft constitution in September (CONV 234/02), said that the Convention needed to decide now on the form, style and structure of what it was attempting to produce.

Duff said: "The sooner we can agree on the shape of the final product the quicker we can get down to some serious drafting". He continued: "The Praesidium's draft published today deserves careful study. But from a first reading it clearly rejects the reactionary approach chosen by the UK government (CONV 345/02). Instead, it allows for a radical re-foundation of the European Union along explicitly federal lines - entrenching the community system, clarifying objectives and strengthening parliamentary democracy at the European level.

"Obviously there are many unresolved questions, notably that of how Union competence is dealt with in security matters. Instead of a too rigid separation, I would prefer a mechanism for the progressive integration of internal and external competences in a single political and judicial system, albeit with differentiated decision-making procedures.

"Of the many controversial issues still to be resolved one concerns the reform of the Council and another the possible establishment of a Congress. The Praesidium's draft would also benefit from a clearer statement of the principles of good governance, including openness. Nor can it be silent on the matter of what happens if a member state refuses to accept the constitutional settlement.

"But the installation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the establishment of an international legal personality for the Union are unmistakeable signs that what the President of the Convention is engaged in is a full-fledged constituent process that will consolidate the efficacy and legitimacy of the enlarged European Union."

ENDS/... Contact: Andrew Duff on +44 7703 471 659 or Guillaume McLaughlin on +32 478 201 299. a

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Andrew's work
in the European Parliament since 1999

Andrew is Vice-President of the European Parliament delegation to the Constitutional Convention on the Future of Europe.

Rights for EU citizens

Andrew drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights which has strengthened the rights of all the citizens of the European Union.

Turkey

Andrew is working for improved links between the EU and Turkey, to encourage improvements in Turkey's human rights record and to enhance its democracy.

Andrew's campaigning in the East of England

Airport Expansion

Andrew has led calls for the Air Travel industry to be subjected to the same rigorous environmental criteria as other modes of transport