The democratic life of the Union (TitleVI); the Union and the surrounding environment (Title IX) and membership of the Union (Title X): these are the three titles of the draft Constitution debated by the Presidium during the 20th plenary session of the Convention on the future of Europe, held in Brussels on 3-4 April. The members of the Convention, in their discussion of Title VI, expressed their wish to “maintain and if possible reinforce the dialogue conducted by the Union with the Churches and with the associations of civil society in general”. In spite of broad consensus, 366 MEPs and national MP of the Fifteen presented a resolution/appeal to express their opposition to “any direct or indirect reference to a specific religion or credo, in conformity with the principles of the secular State and the separation and independence between State and Church”. The Presidium also presented the draft articles relating to Title IX (“The Union and the surrounding environment”), and Title X (“Membership of the Union”). As regards Title X, art. 43 lays down the criteria of eligibility to be a member of the EU: “the Union is open to all European states whose people share the values specified in article 2, respect them and pledge to promote them in unison. Membership of the Union implies the acceptance of its Constitution”. As regards membership of the EU, the European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg on 9 April, gave the go ahead to the entry of 10 new countries (Cyprus, Malta, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Broad consensus was also expressed on the need to implement common policies for the control of frontiers, asylum and immigration. On the other hand, the assembly was divided on the creation of a European prosecutor’s office, dedicated in the first place in the crackdown on fraud in the administration of EU funds; this was judged by some an obstacle to the normal activity of the national prosecutor’s offices in the member states that are already competent in the matter. The next plenary session of the Convention is scheduled for 24-25 April, again in Brussels. Meanwhile the Presidium is drafting the articles relating to foreign relations, defence policy, economic and monetary policies.
