What future?

A debate on the situation in the Middle East; the reinforcement of cross-border cooperation in the fight against terrorism; the improvement of the social security of artists; and the welcome of 18 Bulgarian MEPs, newly elected thanks to the first European vote of the state that acceded to the EU at the beginning of the year: the parliamentary session in Brussels (6-7 June) tackled a variety of questions, though the main point on the agenda was the future of the Constitution. The European Council at the end of June will have the task of establishing a calendar for the revision of the Treaty signed by the 27 in 2004. THE NEW BULGARIAN MEPs. “Your country is a crossroads between East and West and brings with it a very rich cultural heritage”, said HANS-GERT POEttering, President of the European Parliament, in welcoming the Bulgarian MEPs elected on 20 May (Romania, it too a member of the Union since January 2007, will proceed to its European elections in the autumn). Poettering declared that “after having overcome Communism, these elections mark the integration” of Sofia “in the European family”. The German politician praised the reforms undertaken by Bulgaria to be able to become a member of the Community. But he also underlined the need for Bulgaria “to continue along this road” to modernise the country and bring it into line with the economic and social standards of the EU”. Commenting on the announcement of ETA, the armed Basque separatist group, that it has no intention of respecting the ceasefire and threatening further terrorist actions, Poettering expressed “solidarity with the Spanish institutions and people”, and condemned “the recourse to violence for political ends”. FIRST THE SUMMIT, THEN THE IGC. “We clearly recognize the need to reach a solution that may satisfy everyone. It could be the last chance for the Community”, said FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER , German Foreign Minister, in his address to the EP in Brussels. He was looking ahead to the European summit on 21 and 22 June. Steinmeier noted that “intensive negotiations are in progress” both on the Constitution and on the other priorities of the summit: climate change, the European area of security and justice, and international relations. In particular on the Constitutional treaty and the road map to approve it, Steinmeier explained: “We still have two weeks before the summit and intend to use them to reach the best possible deal”. The German Foreign Minister also touched on other issues, which were then resumed during the debate in the chamber. They included, not least, the question of the mandate to be given to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which will be called to revise the Constitutional Treaty, the extension of the majority vote, the role of national parliaments and of the EP, and the future of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. A TREATY ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. The constitutional process and the approaching summit of heads of state and of government were also commented on by MARGOT WALLSTROM on behalf of the Commission. She underlined the need “to have a firm and ambitious position on the Constitution” and “where necessary, to make the necessary changes while maintaining the substance of the Treaty unvaried”. “There are parts of the Constitution that can be improved – admitted Wallstrom – and this should be done by respecting the positions that emerged” after the rejection of the Constitution by French and Dutch electors; but there also exist “indispensable gains” that cannot be relinquished “including the Charter of Fundamental Rights”, which assigns rights and duties to the citizens of the Union. According to the Swedish Commissioner, “attention needs to be devoted to the form and length of the text: we must make it more readable and accessible to everyone”. “We must also explain to citizens – she added – the need for a new Treaty that may reinforce democracy, and confer on the EU the ability to act and to respond to people’s real needs”. THE VOICES OF PARLIAMENTARIANS. Full support for the efforts of the current German presidency of the EU, in view of the approaching summit and the Intergovernmental Conference that will have the task of revising the Constitutional Treaty of the EU, was expressed by ENRIQUE BARÓN CRESPO , one of the drafters of the report that gave rise to the discussion in the chamber. The Spanish MEP suggested that “the revision of the Treaty should take into consideration the new issues that have emerged during the period of reflection: climate change, fight against terrorism, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue”… ELMAR BROK , German MEP, defended “the extension of the majority vote” and reaffirmed that “the Charter of Fundamental Rights represents an essential part of the Treaty”. The English MEP ANDREW DUFF entrusted his hopes for a “revisited and improved Constitution” to the action of the new French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the future British premier Gordon Brown. The French MEP FRANCIS WURTZ called for “a public and open debate on what must change in the outlook and structure of the Union” and a final referendum to ratify the future Treaty.