Continuing along the same road

“The Constitutional Treaty is not dead. On the contrary, it is alive and kicking: ratification by various member countries of the European Union is continuing according to plan. Moreover, in these first months of 2006 I have felt a positive improvement of the climate surrounding the future of our institutions”, says Jo Leinen, chairman of the Constitutional Affairs Commission of the European Parliament, unable to conceal his own optimism about the process of European integration: “On the other hand – he says – we must remember that we don’t have a Plan B. The reinforcement of the Union must continue along the road traced by the Constitutional Treaty”. EUROPE TAKING DECISIONS ONCE AGAIN. German MEP, member of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, Leinen chairs the Commission responsible for the constitutional aspects of the process of integration (in particular in the framework of the preparation and work of the conventions and intergovernmental conferences), the application of the EU Treaty, the evaluation of its implementation, and the institutional consequences of the negotiations for the enlargement of the Union. Leinen therefore has a privileged vantage point to observe the future of Europe. “The final accord reached at the end of May on the financial perspectives of the European Union – points out Leinen – clearly demonstrates that our institutions are still able to take decisions, also in delicate areas that require compromises and long negotiations; it’s a fundamental passage, which we needed and which opens up new prospects”. And what about enlargement? “All studies – points out Leinen – demonstrate that the advantages surpass the risks, whether we consider the accession of ten new member countries in 2004 or the next stage in enlargement, planned for next year. In all these cases, enlargement is synonymous with greater economic, political and social stability, with all the positive consequences in terms of growth and development that flow from that: so long as this rule holds good, the EU ought not to fear to enlarge its own frontiers”. A QUESTION OF PEACE. But an enlarged Europe also poses problems of an institutional nature. That’s the case, for example, of the complicated procedure for the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, or the power of veto that remains in the hand of each individual member state. “Undoubtedly – notes Jo Leinen – the best, most efficient and also most democratic solution would have been that of the single concurrent vote in all states. It is inconceivable that each of the 25 member states, soon to grow to 27 and then 29, should decide for itself how and when to act, triggering a chain reaction that may preclude the final objective”. But is the climate changing? “I see clear signs of that – says Leinen -: 2005 was a year to forget; 2006 has already marked a reversal of trend; and 2007 and 2008 could prove decisive, if only because there’s a growing consciousness in Europe that a strong supranational entity is the only bulwark against being swept away by globalization. What’s essential is engaging in dialogue, always, without giving way to euphoria or pessimism: the reinforcement and enlargement of the European Union are essentially a question of peace, the peace that is at the basis of the very idea of Europe and that still today can seduce the younger generations”. THE PROCESS OF THE TREATY. The Treaty adopting a Constitution for Europe – drafted within the European Convention – was signed by the heads of state and of government of the 25 member states of the EU in Rome on 29 October 2004 and re-confirmed by the European Council of 18 June 2005. The European Parliament, in its resolution of 12 January 2005, supported the Constitution with a majority of over two thirds, declaring that it “represents a good compromise, considerably improves the existing treaties and (…) will ensure a stable and lasting framework for the future development of the European Union, able to permit further enlargement, while at the same time furnishing, where necessary, mechanisms for constitutional amendment”. So far thirteen member states (Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain) have ratified the Constitution in conformity with their own constitutional laws, also through referenda (in Spain and Luxembourg); France and the Netherlands, following their referenda held respectively on 29 May and 1st June 2005, for the time being have not ratified the Constitution. In conformity with article 48 of the Treaty on the European Union, the Constitution will enter in force only after ratification by all member states.